The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-02-19

turning 10 the soldiers, crlcd WIN one Volc
{ Mercy, mercy
Dogs" retored the guards, w seizng the
bound Tta and CIaudius SCOTS and reprOache
embittering the roughness of their manner
Call on thy Cod said one 'f lie can, lie Oug
to save lhee.'
They have forsaken JupiIer,' exclaimed n
mother; MAY His lightnngs wither them
soldier approaching Paul with bonds, tn
Apostle extended his hands. am ready, yC
unworthy he said, ito bear chains and persecu
ton for The name of the Lord Jesus
'Who is Thy God p asked the soldier snecring
ly.
Even He,' replied Paul, 'who can change til,
reviIing into worship
While these things were passing Tita an(
Caudius being bound, had been separated
Rufus, the conspirutor, friendly to the Christians
and performing an unwilling duty in their seiz
ure approached Claudius,a and whispering quick
! ~, Have good heart On the Kalends the
Tyrant dies, and thon shalt he free
God Forbid replied Claudius, that blooc
should purchase my freedom. Why should
fear the death, Il God hath did ? Clnulius was
seized and placed in an adjoining cell.
CHAPTER Iv-rHE BANQUET.
Torn from faith she had but lately embrac.
ed, and from the presence OF her young instruc-
tor. Tita was conducted by the guards to tho
presence of the Emperor The coniagrao
! which some have imputed TO Nero---upon the
ground that he wished TO build new cty and
assign it his own name and the odium of which
he in turn affixed to die Christians, was raging
around them with violence, and they with diff
, Guilty threaded the narrow streets. The air was
rent with lamentations of those who We're com
PEELED to look, without single hope, on the de-
str uction of property und home. So rapid had
been the advance of flames, that wealth or house
hold possessions were diSregarded amid the gen
era peril of life, ana the endeavor tn save it by
flight. The young conducted the aged, and the
impotent and diseased trusted to the support OF
the healthy. AS each gazed upon the snould-
ering ruins of their homes, will, the instructive
feeling of nature in the hour of sorrow aui dps-
olation, he implored the protection of Supc-
rior Power, and betook himself to the temple OF
his God.
Though Tita had not remained long in the
assembly, the humility Of the Christians, their
tervor in prayer, and above all, the calm and
sublime department of the Apostle, had already
given growth to the seeds of faith which his
words had sown in her heart. As she hurried
through the streets, she endeavored to abstract
her mind from the horrors OF the scene, and
close her ears against the bitter wailings which
seemed TO echo the triumph Of the flames. She
called TO mind the prayer which CIaudius bad
taught her, and as far us memory aided her, in
vokcd the God of her new faith. At the very
moment the prayer was on her lips they passed
made fearful IavagSs on the edilicc, eddyng
like the waves of fiery sea through Tie broken
arches, and around the solitary columns, that
stood like Gods of false religion gazing ON the
havoc they could not prevent nor avert Priest
and worshipper knelt in solemn prayer beforethe
crumbling shrine, the embroidered robes of the
former giving ghastly reflection to the flames
which deried the power of their God, and
sported with their religion.
As they passed the temple, strong glare of
light disclosed the altar aud golden statue of
Jupiter At the same moment, us by lightning
stroke the statue fell from its pedestal The
crash gave fearful echo through the surround
ing space, and surge of fire and sparks rose
from the tomb Of the dethroned god.
Recently emancipated from the errors of Il
supersttous faith her heart was still prone to
omen. The Christian assembly, the resignation
of PauPs manner when he alluded TO his APP
preaching death, aud the culmness which seem
ell to mark liam alone amid the CONSERVATION
which surrounded him, all rushed to her mind
confirming the truth Of her faith, and as she
saw the downfall of the statue to which she had
once knelt, the last tie OF her ancient creed
seemed to he broken, and The God of the
Christians be my God,' burst from her lips.
That night the Tyrant bunqueed amid the
suiferngs of hspeopr, and the desolation of
their homes.
In an apartment, TO whose luxury, fancy, as
well us wealth contributed, sat the guests. The
ceiling was painted u dark azure TO represent the
frmauent ut night while the thousand stars that
gttered on its surface were of solid gold. The
walls were hung i'm gold and silver cloth,
in which Jewels were dexterously wrought as to
represent NEUROLOGICAL devices. Seats of solid
silver frames surrounded the apartment and the
regular intervals were placed lamps, whose
scented oil emitted rich and intoxicating odor.
The spaces were filed with marble statues of
poets and orators.
Around the board loaded with the dishes of
epcurean fancy, lvers and brains of pheasants,
tongues and nighlngales, sat at the guests,
crowned with garlauds while the soft and vo-
luptuous music was distnally contrasted by the
groans and shouting without. At the head o!
the table stood the Enperor's chair of So
lil ivory nwrouSht with gold. 1t was vacant.
BY his side stood similar one IN which sat his
mistress. Actc, an euirancIIised Asiatlc slave,
to whose noble birth several men of consular
rank had been suborned by Nero to swear.
Notwithstanding the cruelty OF disposition
which knew no renorSe and sensuallty which
never felt safety, taste for music and dramatic
exhibitions formed prominent trait in Neros
character. He was ambitious of applause,
! t., \.