The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-03-18

burnt skeleton of Walter Kapell still remained.
took the body upon bis shoulders, and carried
it through the streets to the house of the chief
burgomaster, where several other magistrates
happened then to be in session. Forcing his
way into their presence, he laid his burden at
their feet crying, There, murderersi ye have
eaten bis flesh, now eat his bonesl" 1t has
not been recorded whether Titelmann sent him
to keep company with his friend in the next
world. The fate of so obscure victim could
hardly find room on the crowded pages of the
Netherlands martyrdom.
This kind Of work, which went on daily, did
not increase the love of the people for the in.
QUESTION OF the edicts. It terrified many, but
it inspired more with that noble resistance to
oppression, particularly to religious oppression,
which is the sublimest instinct of human nature
Men confronted the terrible inquisitors with
courage equal 10 their cruelty. At Tourney
one of the chieef cities of Titelmann's district,
and almost before his eyes, one Bertrand lie Bias,
velvet manufacturer, committed what was
held an almost incredible crime. Having beg
ged his wife and children to pray for blessing
Upon what he was about to undertake he went
on Christmas day to the Cathedral Of Tourney,
and stationed himself near the altar. Having
awaited the moment in which the priest held on
high the consecrated host LIE Bias then forced his
way through the crowd, snatched the wafer from
the hands of the astonished ecclesiastic, and
broke it into bits, crying aloud, as he did so,
Misguided men, do ye take this thing to be
Jesus Christ, your Lord and Saviour" With
these words he threw the fragments on the
ground and trampled them with his feet. The
amazement and horror were 80 universal at
such an appalling offence, that not finger was
raised to arrest the criminal. Priests and con.
gregation were alike paralyzed, so that he would
have found no difficulty in making his escape.
He did not stir, however he had come to the
church determined to execute what he con-
sidered q sacred duty, and to abide the cense.
quences. After time he was apprehended
The inquisitor demanded if he repented of
what he had done. He protested, on the con-
trary, that he gloried in the deed, and that he
would die hundred deaths to rescue from such
daily proclamation the name of his Redeemer,
Christ. he was then put thrice to the torture,
that he might be forced to reveal his sccompli-
ces. 1t did not seem in human power for one
man to accomplish such q deed of darkness
without confederates. Bertrand had none, how
ever, and could denounce none. A frantic sen.
tence was then devised, as feeble punishment
for 30 much wickedness. He was dragged on a
hurdle, with his mouth closed with An iron gag,
to the market place. Here his right hand end
foot were burned and twisted off between two
| redhot irons. His tongue was then torn out
| by the roots, and because he still endeavored
| to call upon the name of God, the iron gag was
| again applied. With his arms and legs fasten.
| ed together behind his back, he was then
hooked by the middle of his body to an iron
chain, and made to swing to and fro over q
slow fire till he was entirely roasted. His life
lasted almost to the end of these ingenious tor
lures but his fortitude lasted as long as his life.