Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1854-11-08


entered them, but never found his way ou
again; and hence, to prevent the recurrenc,
of such calamities, most Of the passages have
been blocked up, few only of the more di
rect and accessible being left open.
This brief sketch of these gloomy subterra
mean caverns was necessary to our narrative
and the reader must now 60 back, in imagina.
ton, to the period when they were used by
the christians for the purposes stated.
Half mile from the city on the Appian
way, stood an old temple, which, for several
centuries, had been dedicated to the names OF
the dead. At the time, however, to which we
refer, its roof had fallen in, and nothing re-
mained but its decayed and gloomy walls. All
| around and over these grew thick clusters of
wild ivy and vines; and a few old cyprus trees
/ stood close by, concealing it almost from
view, and casting over the ruins pecu-
liarly dreary and sombre shade.
1t was in fact one of those places which few
felt inclined to visit, and which the benighted
traveller hurried by with quick and trembling
step. Indeed, the superstitious and timid
minds of the old Roman matrons had connect
ed with it many frightful ghost-story, which,
to say the least, had long served to protect it
from the intrusion of even the most resolute
and daring. Besides, in one corner Of the in
terror there was said to be a small hole or en-
trance, which led down 10 the regions of the
dead, and that their thin, misty forms could
be seen passing in and out, al all hours-a
sight, however, which, few it seems, had the
hardihood even to covet, much less witness
1t is now dark. The citizens have gathered
themselves within the walls Thousands are
seated in groups along the banks of the Tiber,
looking madly at the yellow waters rejecting
the dim starlight; while others, with looks
little less angry and despairing, have entered
their fimsy tents which had begun to spring up
here and there tilro' the burnt, black districts.
Now and then, however, solitary indiyidu-
al or two, passing through the gate, might
have been observed hurrying along the Appian
way in the darkness. Their dress is slightly
disguised; and their short, quick step, and
their eyes glancing to the right and left. indi-
cate that their minds are not entirely clear
from anxiety and fear.
Arriving opposite the old delapidated tenn
it; and pushing the entangled vines aside, and
clambering over piles of rubbish, one after an
other, they quickly disappeared
These are the poor, prosecuted christians en- |
tering the Catacombs, TO enjoy the rites OF
their religion, at the peril Of their lives.
At the bottom of the long, rocky stairway,
a guide or sentinel Is stationed. He holds in
o,,I 4 Il
sccnd, and the sound of their feet is heard, feel
ing their way, cautiously from step to step, he t
greets them as soon as possible with It's pale |
light.
''This way, says the guide, in low, hur |
ried voice; and entering one of the dark tortu- |
rous passages, he conducts them to the place |
selected for solemnizing the rites of their faith.
This is a recess or widening in the passage,
some ten or twelve feet in diameter, and capa-
bic of containing q number of persons in eth
er sitting or standing posture. For what |
purpose it was originally designed no one
knows, and to divine an end would only be to
throw around the whole subject of these Won
lerful executions greater mystery.
In one corner of the cavern in question lay
l mass Of rock, toerably square, and about
four feet in height It was easy to see that it
lad fallen from the rough, craggy ceiling
possibly dislocated by some great convulsion
Of nature.
This answered very well for an altar. And
indeed who will say that a forecast of provi-
ience had not provided it for this very end.
That mysterious and incomprehensible Being,
before whose fixed gaze all time, past, present
md 10 come, is concentrated in one single
glowing point, here had in readiness place,
With its alter dedicated by his own aIl-perya-
ling breath; and where his wronged and afflict-
I'd children might, in after ages, enjoy their
simple and unostentatious rites, unseen by the
we Of mortal, and free from the molestations
If their enemies. At least, for this end it
vas used, and the emblems of a mighty faith
we're dispensed from its unchiseled surface.
In a niche directly behind it, stood an old
amp, casting dim light over it, and uponthe
walls-imparting, however, to the
cavern strange, spectral gloomiaess.
Upon it stood small earthen goblet of wine,
md by it lay few pieces of unleayened
'read, wrapped in clean, white linen napkin.
Along side of these lay soiled parchment,
obtaining portion of the records of faith,
in the providence of God, to go
orth from these dark, gloomy cayerns, and
ncompass the length and breadth of the
'hole earth. nts
At the side OF the altar stood an old man, at
resent, who had passed his three-scere and
en-. His venerable form, inelining forward,
/ /
'ere gazing thoughtfully, while he has just