Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-02-14
OrlqInuI NuruI GnIr.
IwRiTTEx FOR TIE JOURNAL
THE
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CHAPTER XIV.
(coPYRIGHT SECURED

Ii is ten O'Clock.
For an hour or more, the air has been filling
ND with thin, vapory clouds. There is no
moonlight and the few scattered stars are
looking down upon the earth. pale, and Ian
quid and the night is quite dark.
1t is f:tSorable, however, for the poor Chris
tians. Uude; cover of the darkness, they can
reach their secret places of worship with less
risk or exposure. And an hour ago, one after
another had descended the rough, damp flight
Of steps into the Catacombs and followed the
pale light in the hand of the guide, till the
rude, subtcrranean chapel is filled.
On some accounts, the meeting tonight is
one of more than usual interest. For the few
past days, the Lord had been pouring out his
spirit in most copious and wonderful man
ner, filling up, with triple fastness, the falling
ranks Of his people. Hence, quite 4 number
of those present are recent converts and are
there for admission into the sacred fellowship
of the church, By the holy rite OF baptism.
The cavern, therefore, wore a rather cheer
ful sspect,-more so, at least, than it had done
for some evenings back. The old lamp in the
niche burned brightly. The eyes of Prytheus
spsrkled with all the animation of his inner
life, while the gratitude of his heart spread
ierrid glow over his naturally kind and benev-
oleut features. Then, in the looks of those
who had so recently passed out of darkness
into light, there were plainly visible the emo
tions Of unutterabie joy
There were some things, however, III the
cavern tonight, that were not in it the first
evening of meeting. True-there was tie
rude stone alter standing just where it did, and
the roll OF unleavened bread, the goblet OF
wine, and the soiled parchment upon it; and.
then, the stopping form of the holy man at its
side,-all just as they had been. But in ad
dition TO these, there were some sad remem-
brances-memorials of people steadfast and
faithful unto death. Around the rough, ang
ling sides, and in hewn-out cavities in the soft
rocky walls, were dozen or more veiled
earthen urns, filed with the ashes OF the mar
tyred dead and. also, in the mouths of one
or two OF the dark, yaulted passages, lay sew
eral torn and mangled corpse, just fresh from
the slaughter, to be deposited, with hymns
and prayers, in some yet deeper and darker
cavern.
These remains of their brethren, admonish-
ed the living present tonight, to be ,catciful.
In fact, ordinary prudence had dictated that
no more time be spent in solemnizing the
mysteries of their faith, even in the deep pla-
ces OF the earth, than was consistent with pro-
priety. The enemy were everywhere on the
look out, and might be upon them any mo-
ment.
Prytheus, therefore, had quickly taken his
stand at the side of the alter; and. having
looked for an instant at the interesting assem-
oiage of young and old before hir. he has
commenced repeating over in low. solemn
voice, the lines of a familiar hymn And now
Their voices, all blending in its sweet and
plaintive harmony, fill the cavern with the
great redeemer's praise.
Ibis indeed, with raised hands and closed
eyes, but an open, overfowing heart, he is ad-
uresslng throne of grace, in prayer that
0oafs every heart away with it, in penitence
ana gratitude, to the Being to whom it is of
fered.
Just as the amen and amen fell from the lips
u All present. the guide, STOPPING, and hold.
''s OUT his dim lamp in hi. hand. came hur.