Litchfield enquirer., 1862-06-05
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HOW TWO HEROINES DIED.

HOW TWO HERoINEs DIED. In the year 204, at Carthage, suffered two fe males. Viyia Perpetua and Felicitas. -.. | Perpetua was widow of two and twenty, o respectable rank, great accomplishments, and, a the time of her trial the mother of an infan child. With the other members of the family except her father, she had embraced the Chris information was lodged against her as being { disciple of the forbidden religion. She and he companions were kept under guard for som' days before they were cast into prison during this time Perpetua was visited by her father I who loved her with great affection. He knew the danger she was in, and grieyed to lose sucE leving daughter; he earnestly besought her te recant, and be restored to her afflicted family Pointing to vase which stood on the aeor, she said :;a Can you give any other name than vase to that vessel ?" And her father answered ir the negative. Neither added she, can call myself by any other name than that of Chris tian.' .s~ i.a1 E Ti5t&aI'-ci Id
 Although she loved her father much, she knew her duty, to obey God rather than man. Hel father left her, and for several days she did not see him. During this period she was baptized when she agaln gave herself to God, and be- sought him to give her patience in the time of trial. "7:-. '@a5" aa- -4t e'
 She and her companions were at last cast into a dark, dismal prison to await their trial pivia being well educated. wrote an account of what they suffered. She says, l was terrified at it, for had never been in such darkness. o, fear ful day! I was torn with anxiety about my in- fant; but by the aid of the officers of the Church my dear child was brought to me, and we were removed to more open part of the prison, where l suckled the babe, who was dying with hunger. then had to part with him again but l was satisfied. was as happy as if had been in a palace"
 The miserable father, forgetting his anger, in his grief, learned that an examination of the prisoners was to take place the following day, visited his daughter and again implored her to recant Think, said he, of your mother, your aunt, think of your little son who cannot live without you He then threw himself at her feet, weeping as if his heart were broken. She answered to her loving fathers entreaties, that while nothing on earth would have delighted her more than to please and obey him. she could not do so to displease and disobey God
 The next day she was summoned, while din ing with her fellow prisoners, to the tribunal, to be examined in the presence of a vast concourse of people, who had assembled to witness the tri- al. Flvia's turn at last came and she was about to confess that she was Christian, when a noise was heard in the court. It was her father fore ing himself through the crowd with her little in tant sons in her arms, to make, in that most at- fecting manner, his last appeal to change her mind. The judge was moved to tears at the sight, and said, Spare the old age of your father and the helplessness of your infant then added Are you Chrstan?
 Her father was now ordered to withdraw but lingering as all fond parents would do in such trying circumstances he received blow from the staff of one of the officers. ',
 Nivia says: felt that blow, given to my fath- CT, as if it had fallen on my own head.'
 The prisoners were then sent to their cells to await the execution of their sentence, which was to be thrown to the wild beasts. Perpetua sent to ask her father to allow her to have the com pany of her child during the few hours she had to live. He, however, refused to comply with her request, as he thought he night even yet induce her to sacrifice to the gods. But he sought an interview. She was grieved to have it; still she would not deny her fathers request He was admitted Frantic with grief, he tore his hair, fell on the foor used every entreaty but to no purpose her heart was in heaven.- She trusted in Christ to the last and final hour.
 Felicitas, her companion, had also little in- fant daughter only few days old. After fer vent prayer in her behalf. she, with the utmost composure, gave her over to her sister, and so appeared free from all earthly care.
 The hour at last came when they were led to the amphitheatre, to witness good confession before many witnesses. Perpetua and her con- panions went on with composed couatenances and an easy pace, holding down their eyes lest the spectators might draw wrong conclusions from their being cheerful in the face of death They sang hymn and then called on the mag istrates and people to remember that they would have to give an account of that days work They then asked them to observe that they died in the faith of their Saviour, !" whom having moi seen, they loved."
 l The wild beasts were then let loose, and the poor women were made to stand by and witness the death of their male companions by the jaws Of lions, leopards and bears.
 Their own turn came at last when they were l inclosed in a net and exposed to wild cew.- I Perpetua met the first attack, and was throwr | wounded to the ground after which the COW ran against Felicitas, and made her horrie spectacle even to look at. Faithful still, in sucf | trying circumstances, Perpetua went to her aid composed her disordered hair, and raised her tt her feet. Perpetua then called her brother, ane said to him, Continue firm in the faith, love ont 1 another, and be neither frightened nor offended { at our sufferinss.'
 As the hour was late the spectators grew i'm patient, so they were led forward to the middle of the arena to be killed by the sword. Giving each other the kiss of peace, they presented themselves to the arm of the executioner. Fe licitas was killed by single blow but Perpetus falling into the hands of g trembling gladiator was often struck and wounded in vain. Presery ing her fortitude to the last moment she wa observed calmly directing the soldier to the mos expeditions way of performing his office. and then without groan, on the sands of the am phitheatre she fell asleep in Jesus. -.... | "Asleep in Jesus blessed sleep,
 From which none ever wake to weep; 1 A calm and undistnrbed repose; | L A safe retreat from all her foes. t
 asass Asleep in Jesus time nor space sa a Affects this precious { hiding place ;
 On Indian plains or Lapland snows, Believers find the same repose.'' '''
 ,4 ID Bible Class Magazine.
 There is some relief in the monotony of heav State affairs here sometimes. One day recently a gentleman who holds responsible and lucra tive position in government. concluded to chang his lodgings, and sent one of the walters of th hotel where he had selected apartments, afte
 his baggage. 53etlF9@ .a.z.sgl Meeting the waiter an hour or two afterwar' he said
 "Weil, John, did you bring my baggage down . .." No, sar i" blandly responded the sable gel tleman: .5 ss F.' '..s,,,. ....s,-,.5s s IL "Why-what was the reason?"
 "Case, Sar, the gentleman in the office sai 3 you had not paid your bill"
 < Not paid my bill l-why, that's singular-h