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


t floor, or on some projecting crag of rock.
= Their countenances are glistening with a
, strange, unearthly whiteness, whilet their fea-
lures marked by the lines OF deep, anx-
ious sorrow. And yet there is not wanting in
their looks the evidences of an inner joyous
ness, and the workings of resolute and un-
compromising faith
Nor is it at all to be wondered at, that amid
these blending emotions, there should be, 50
strangely visiby, the lines of deep, natural
sorrow. In the mysteries of providence, they
had been, in common with others, brought to
mourn over great national calamity and in
their own case, as helpless and inofensiye re-
/ igious sect, TO lament an act Of the most per-
idiouS injustice, and the most barbarous cruel
| ty. And though their faith had taught them
to expect and endure the vilest wrongs, yet, as
/ citizens of Rome, they could not but greatly
bewail the degeneracy of the times, and the
loss of that ancient virtue which had impaired
| such lustre to the Roman name.
Then, too, the hundreds of their brethren
/ who had already fallen victims, and whose ash
eS lay in piles in front of the Forum had rush
| ed with a loud, horrible appeal to their hearts,
ssbe We also ready" The great cry had not
| been UNDECIDED. The last few days and nights
had been spent in constant prayer and watch
/ ing. And they had been weighing themselves
| in the scales of eternal Justice; and they had
| talked together of the glory to come-ot the
! bright crowns, and the white robes, and
the golden harps, and the new songs-till,
| even III this gloomy cavern, in many of their
looks, and in the bright, lustrous, swimming
of their eyes, there was that mysterousness
which marks a soul about to throw aside its
earthly fetters, and bound away into the un-
fathomabie depths OF the skies.
And Tonight at the imminent peril of their
lives. they had come hither, to commemorate
the death of their Master, in the cmblems of
his broken body and shed blood, to add vigor
to their faith, quickening to their souls,
strength to overcome the world, and readi-
ness to enter the gates of glory through the
lighted fires OF naartyrIom.
1t was sublime sight, worthy indeed the
noblest efforts Of the painter or sculptor-were
it possible to portray on canvass, or chisel in
marble, this subtcrranean group, as, standing
around the gloomy walls of the cavern, they
received from the hand OF the old man the
emblems OF their faith.
Reader. this old man was Prytheus: and the
old lamp in the niche is the same that burned
diInly, many long night in the little chamber
within the walls OF the city. Iiitherit has been
transferred, with its santed owner, to perform
its mission in this gloomy and lonely cavern.
As stated, Prytheus is unroling the linen
napkin; and now he has just taken up piece
of the unleavened bread in his hand.
ssRcceive tnis emblem Of your Masters bo-
dy,'' said ne, raising his eyes, and casting an
earnest, benevolent look on those around him. |
One after another, they came devoutIy to the |
altar and received the bread from his hand
'sReceive this emblem of your Masters |
blood,' he again said, after few minutes 81 |
lence; when, coming forward in lille-manner, |
they each took a sup of the wine from
the earthen goblet.
Having resumed their former places, there
was q long, profound silence. Prytheus, kneel- |
ing at the side of the stone altar, has his hands
clasped and resting upon it, while his eyes are /
the silent, earnest breathings of prayer The /
rest, some seated and others reclining against I
the walls, are similarly engaged. The thoughts
of all are upon the great attoning sacrifice of |
the cross, and its blood bought blessings; and /
as the cross with its priceless victim rises to
their view, and as the agony, and groans, and |
bloody sweat is recalled to their minds each
one feels an unearthly life thrill through his
soul, and a readiness to suffer the loss of all /
things, that they may share in their
Masters glory.
At length one of their numbers female, rose
to her feet, and in calm, resigned voice, said:
= 81 rejoice that L am counted worthy to suf-
fer for the sake OF him who suffered and died
for me, though my sorrows are almost beyond
the endurance of a mothers heart,'' saying
which she leaned her head against the rude
wall, and burst into tears.
'SThou deest not well to conceal the sorrows
of thy soul,' said Prytheus, having rose up
quickly from his knees.
E'Ah!' said she, .the hearts of many moth
ers in Rome, weep and bleed as mine own
weep. and yet rejoice.''
ssConceal not thy sorrow, woman, said Pry-
theus let us enjoy at least the pleasure of
with a christian mother, as
L know thou art.
'sAh! yes,' said she, II was another once,
and my children rejoieed and were happy
around me. l was the happy wife, too, of a
fond, loving, devoted husband. Six years we
lived together in our own sweet, cheerful
home. in the greatest earthly bliss, loving and
being loved, and cheered by the smiles and