Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-06-12
ST. PANCRAS.

OF st Pancras; and, perhaps, the besutiful
church ut st. Paneras has met their view
Have you ever wondered who this St Pan
cras was L dare say you think him some
aged man, with gray hair and flowing beard
OF NODDED monk, with sable garments. But
ne ala not live long enough in the world for
that. Shall tell you all about him
He was born in beautiful Phrygia his early
nome, st Synnada, was very fair, mountains
and flowing streams, and marble Quarries and
with cheerful heart the little Pancratius fas
ne was calledl used to play under the shady
trees. chase the gaudy flies over the hills, or
quietly stand at his dear mothers knee, while
she told OF flowers, and birds, and honey-bees
ana all the bright things he loved so we'll
But that dear mother was taken i'll, and
died withost the sweet hope of Heaven which
Christtaas have when they are taken to Jesus
And fet husband, CleOnius, buried her by
fse S"r Cling brook, beneath the waving palm
trees
IOr three short months, Cleonius daily led
his little boy TO strew flowers over her grave :;
and then he also fell sick and died. When the
Iather knew that he was dying, he called for
his brother, and earnestly besought him to take
care OF Pancratius, and educate him we'll as
thodgh he we're his own son.
At this time Pancratius was only twelve
years Of age, and his kind and fond (but heath
en- uncle thought that the best way he could
fulfill his brothers. last wish would be to take
him to Rome, (the greatest city in the world }
that there he might have the advantage of the
best instruction, and when he grew older. he
might, perhaps, obtain good position in the
state.
There lived then at Rome a good bi,bop
whose name was Marcellnus. He used to 20
from house to house, quietly, secretly, some.
times even at dead of night, telling people that
Jesus, the despised NaEarene, who was cruci-
fed, was God, and Savior. The reason why
he had to go secretly was, tthat the Emperor
m fhnr lIy-a1
man; and among the three friends who helped
him to govern his great empire, was one Gale
rus, even more cruel than himself, who per-
suaded him that he ought to put all the Chris
tians TO death.
Many had suffered martyrdom already, be-
ing thrown to wild beasts, fayed alive and
tortured In every imaginable way and vet the
brave and good bishop went about undaunted-
ly, cheering those who loved his Master and
telling others Of that Master love-
Among those who believed what the aged
Marcellinus said about Jesus, we're the uncle
and nephew. Gradually they forsoOk the gor-
geOus 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 lighted torch, vending their
way to the catacOmbs (or tOmbS under ground)
at midnight, where they met dear Christian
friends, and with them partoOk OF the - feast of
the blessed Jesus. And then they would re-
turn by the light of the early morning strength
ened and refreshed in spirit fearless of the EN-
perIr's threats, and joyful in the love OF the
Savior.
Dearly the orphan boy loved his uncle and
very sweet were the hours he spent talking
with him of the home in Heaven and repeat
ing all he could remember of the words which
Msrcellinus taught him from the Gospel 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
friend, he tried to pray, but the words would
not come; and so fast did the binding tears
trickle 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 strength. A harsh rough
nand Is lald 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, and come Immediately be-
fore the emperor
The little fellow got up; the cruel soldiers
placed heavy chains upon his wrists; he gave
one loving look apOn his cold, dead face, and
then followed his guard to the imperial palace
1t was long, hot walk his. arms ached with
the heavy chains, and his little feet were blis-
tered with walking so fast. But why did he
wear pleasant, cheerful face amid il all
Because he remembered his Savior; the Holy
Spirit put into bis mind the promise, AS thy
day Is, thy strength shall be- He felt that
God r0S keeping that promise and ho knew
that he would continue to kespit. And though
he did not forget the empeTor's cruelties to
other Christians, be did not fear Diocletan
could not kill his soHi, AMI Jesus, who bad
made place Tor him In Heaven, would take
care Of him.
The Emperor was sitting on his throne hun
dreds OF guards were round him; ensigns Of his
great power appeared everywhere before him.
when the weak, fOot-sOre child was led into his
presence lie was SD 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 high position, if he would only Of
Ter sacrifice to Jupiter. But the child, strong
In the strength which God supplies" refused
Then the prosecutor tried threats He told
him that be should be killed that very day; he
should not live an hour longer, and his dead
body should be thrown to the wild beasts
faie aud trembling, he answered That
may be, but dare not deny my Savior / dare
not worship idols. God will give me grace to
die for him, as others have done"
" Lead the obstinate boy from nv presence ,
exclaimed the infuriated DiOcIetian "take
him to the Aurelian Way, and there dispatch
him with your swords. The legionaries who
brought him to the palace led him out, took
MIN WEere tho monarch had directed and
there, at sunset, kneeling as the blessed Ste
phen did To receive his death wounds. the no.
Bile boy died, pierced by the swords Of his per-
secutOrs
His spirit was soon with Jesus, and. by the
moonlight, some kind Christian ladies took his
little mangled corpse,
. EmbaIming il with many tears,
And bsaring il, mid many fears
And many deep, heart-bnrden'd sigh,
To where a catacOnb hard by
Had give shelter To- the bones
OF many well beloved ones -
For many years Pancratius forgotten
but when relics Of saints were dug up and wor
shipped, his bones were disinterred and re-
garded as - relics; and a me gnifcent church
was erected over his burial place. Ii is from
this church that all others of that name have
derived their appellation.
King CHARLES, THE SIMPLE, AND HIS Fool.
This good fellows influence was so great, that
Charles kinO Gf France remark eh IN