The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1857-12-12

own son.
At this time Pancratius was only twelve
years of age, and his kind and fond (but
heathen) uncle, thought that the best way
he could fulfil his brothers last wish would
be to take him to Rome (the greatest city in
the worldly that there he might have the
advantage of the best instruction, and when
he grew older, might, perhaps, obtain good
position in the state
There lived then at Rome good bishop,
whose name was Marcellinus. He used to
90 from house to house, quietly, secretly,
sometimes even at dead of night, telling
people that Jesus, the despised Nazarene,
the crucifed, was God, and a Saviour. The
reason why he had to 90 so secretly was,
that the emperor, who then lived at Rome,
was a very cruel man; and amongst the
three friends who helped him to govern his
great empire, was one Galerius, even more
cruel than himself, who persuaded him
that he ought to put all the Christians to
death.
Many had suffered martyrdom already,
being thrown to wild beasts, hayed alive,
and tortured in every imaginable way; and
yet the brave and coed bishop went about
undauntealy, cheering those who loved his
Master, sd telling others of that Masters
love.
Amongst those who believed what the
aged Marcellinus said about Jesus, were
the uncle and nephew Gradually they for
sock the gorgeous temple of Jupiter, and
as the light which the Holy Spirit sheds
beamed stronger and brighter on their
minds, you might have seen them, with a
lighted torch. vending their way to the
catacOmbs Tor tombs underground,) at mid
night; where they met dear Christian friends,
and with them partoob of the "feast of the
blessed Jesus And then they would re-
turn by the light of the early morning,
strengthened and refreshed in spirit, fear
less of the emperor's threats, and joyful in
the love of the Saviour.
Dearly the orphan boy loved his uncle ;
and very sweet were the hours he spent
talking with him of the home in heaven, and
repeatingall he could remembered the words
which Marcellinus taught him from the Cos
pei of st. John.
But these happy days did not last long,
The uncle died very suddenly; and the poor
child, almost heart-broken, seemed as if left
alone in the world. As he knelt by the side
of his dead friends, he tried to pray, but
the words would not come and so fast did
the blending tears tricble down, that he
could scarcely see the blue heaven he was
gazing at.
But God, who will not crush the bruised
reed, heard his muttered prayers; and was
going to give him abundance of His strength
A harsh rough hand is laid on his shoulder
and he starts at the touch Brushing away
his tears, he sees four soldiers standing by
him, and coarse voice bids him rise, anc
come Immediately before the emperor.
The little fellow cot up; the cruel sol
diers placed heavy chains upon his wrists
he gave one loving look upon Che cold, dead
face, and then followed his guards to the
imperial palace.
1t was a long, hot walk; his arms ached
with the heavy chains, and his little feet
were blistered with walking so fast. But
why DID he wear a pleasant, cheerful face
amid Il all? Because he remembered his
Saviour; the Holy Spirit put into his mind
the promise, GAS thy day thy strength shall
be-" He felt God was keeping that promise
then, and he knew that He would coatinac
to keep it. And, though he did not forget
the emperor's cruelties to other Christians,
he did not fear; Diocletian could not kill
his soul, and Jesus, who had made a place for
him in heaven, would take care Of him.
The emperor was sitting on his throne
hundreds of guards were round him; ensigns
of his great power appeared everywhere be-
fore him, when the weak, foot-sore child
was led into his presence. He was so young
that the cruel man was almost moved to
pity, and he thought to win him over rather
by promises than threats. He reminded him
of his father and mother, how to their dying
day they had been faithful to the gods of
their ancestors; he promised him riches and
a high position if he would only offer Sacri-
flee to Jupiter. But the child, "strong in
the strength which God supplies" refused.
Then the prosecutor tried threats. He
told him he should be killed that very day;
he should not live an hour longer, and his
dead body should be thrown to the wild
beasts.
Pale and trembling, he answered, ''That
may be, but | dare not deny my Saviour !;
| dare not worship idols. God will give
me grace to die for Him, as others have
done"
"Lead the obstinate boy from my pre-
sence," exclaimed the Infatuated Diocletian;
'take him to the Aurelian way, and there
dispatch him with your swords" The le-
gionaries who brought him to the palace led
him out, took him where the monarch had
directed, and there at sunset, kneeling like
the blessed Stephen did, to receive his death
wounds, the noble boy died, pierced by the
swords of his prosecutors.
His spirit was soon with Jesus; and, by
the moonlight, some kind Christian ladies
took his little mangled corpse,
"Embalming it with many tears,
And bearing it, midst many fears,
And many q deep, heart-burden'd sigh,
| To where catacomb hard by
Had given shelter to the bones
Ofmany well-beoyed ones"
For many years, Pancratius was forgotten,
but when the Christian Church became less
pure, when relics of saints were dug up and
worshipped, forgetting that the very reason
that ST. Pancras died was because he would
not worship idols-his bones were disinter
red, and regarded as 'relics;" and magni-
fcent church was erected over his burial
place. 1t is from this church that all
others of that name have derived their APP
pellation.