Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1854-09-13

But what arrested his attention. most of all
was the great Throne in the midst of the city,
and Him that sat thereon; and around which
stood numberless multitude, with palms of
victory, singing neu song.
As he sood, wondering and beholding, he
felt gentle tap ON the shoulder, and, looking
round, saw the form again at his side.
eff thou would'st see, child of earth, the
mystery, will shew thee.''
Instantly his sight again left him, and he
was in the midst of the same darkness as be-
fore. From some cause, a strange, indiscriba-
BILE tremor siezed him, and he felt as though
he would fall from his feet.
ssThe flesh is weak" said the guide. sand
there must be naeefncss for such sights. When
mortality is swallowed up of life then thou
canst endure. But GOMEZ will shew thee -
at which words he felt himself again borne
along. and gradually descending from the lof-
ty walls.
When his eyes opened he was standing be-
hind the Throne, with the guide at his side.
Directly before him was magnificent altar of
gold, studded with rare and costly gems
Under the altar, lay company of disembod-
led spirits, clothed in robes of white, crying
with loud voice show long, o Lord, Holy
and true, dos't thou not avenge our blood on
them that dwell on the earth.''
There was something SO earnest and solemn,
and yet so winning and gentle in the looks and
voices OF these spirits, that his heart at once
melted down into the greatest tenderness
His whole soul seemed irresistably drawn out
towards them-though, at the same time, there
were mingled in his feelings the emotions of
sorrow and compassion.
"s And who," said he, after gazing for a
time in astonishment, ssare these ~
'sThese,'' said the guide, scare the souls of
them that were slain for the word of God, and
for the testimony which they held
'sAnd how long will their blood remain un-
avenged ?'' he inquired.
ssThey rest here yet,'' said the guide, ssfor a
little season, until their fellow servants also and
their brethren, that should be killed as they
were, shall be fulfilled
Just then there was a quick rap at the door,
his eyes opened-and the old lamp burned as
dimly as before, and the duskv walls had the
same spectral appearance,
AS it was a late hour of the night, Prytheus
was greatly surprised but he was soon re-
lieyed by seeing enter, the same youth who
had previously announced the ssfire.''
'sMy mother,'' said the youth, ssdesires to
know how thou doest; the fires multiply in
the city, and she feared thy anxiety
ssWell know thy mothers faith and charity;
and may she be rewarded with place in that
glory have this night beheld," said Prythe-
us, raising his eyes, in gratitude, to heaven.
'sAnd is it swell with thee," inquired the
youth, looking up earnestly into the calm and
benignant face of the holy man.
s'It:s most well, my child, - said he, ssnor do
fear that any i'll will befall me this night !;
my visions of glory, and the one God my
trust
s'Then will return quickly and bear the
comfort to my mother,'' said the youth.
''And the One God guide thy steps," said
Prythcus.
a glance here at the history of this youth
may not be amiss, as it may, perhaps, crafty
the curiosity of the reader and, especially,
as he is to act part in the drama of martyr
dom about to be sketched.
He was the son of He'll, Jew, who, with
his wife and child, had fed from Judea and
who. after various wanderings in foreign lands,
and many reverses of fortune, had found his
way to Rome. Here, collecting together the
few remains of his fortune, he established
himself in shop, for the sale of trinkets and
such little fancy articles as his capital would
command. In this way he had managed to
support himself and family for several years.
At length, however, He'll sickened, and sud-
denly died-leaying his wife to maintain her
self and child, as best she could. This she
had been enabled to do, and even to lay by a
small sum of money, the result of her
economy.
Two years after the death of her husband,
she renounced Judaism and embraced chris
tianity, regardless of the reproach that then
affixed to that name both in Judea and at
Rome.
Her attachment TO her new faith was sim
cere, ardent, and Conscientious. 1t had,
moreover infused new life into her whole be-
ing and, like Dorcas, her labors of love and
mercy were abundant. Early, also, in her ex-
perience, she had formed the friendship and
acquaintance of Prytheus, whom she re-
garded as her spiritual comforter and adviser.
Her son, and only child, at this time, was
about twelve years old. He was a sprightly
lad, obedient, and uaeommoniy kind to his
mother. His form was slender, his hair light
and silken, his eyes biueish, while his features
plainly indicated that he was one of Abra-
HAMS ssseed.' Then his mother was doting-
ly attached to him, and regarded him with
more than the ordinary pride and satisfaction
OF parent. Her dreams were Of him and