The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1866-03-22

era, they were used bv the Christ.
ians in Rome as places of refuge
from persecution, of secret worship.
and for the burial of the dead
Here were deposited the bodies Of
the martyrs, the bones Of those
who were devOured by the wild
beast in the amphitheatre, and the
ashes Of others.
These catacombs are of great ex-
tent. There are long galleries,
withrecesses on each side for burial,
looking like tiers Of berths in oul
steamboats,. When the bodies, OF
relies, were deposited, the recesses
were walled up and plastered over
with cement, and the inscription,
giving the name and age of the de-
ceased, and commencing his soul
to the prayers Of the faithful, was
carved in stone, or traced in the
soft mortar. The lamps are found
which are kept lighted before the
graves Of the martyrs, either as a
mark of veneration, or to light
those who came there to pray; and
in many of these tombs are found
phials of martyrs blood. and the
instruments of their torture.
The curious reader who cannot
go to Rome, will find in the Astor
Library, and can see, if he finds
the librarian in good humor, two or
three large folio volumes, in which
the galleries, chapels, tombs, and
relics Of the catacombs are repre-
sented with masterly, fidelity
The chapels Of the second and third
centuries, even in these subterran-
can retreats, he will find ornamen-
ted with pictures, which show the
early attention given to Christian
art; and the elaborate ornamental
tion, by historical and emblematic
pictures, Of places Of Christian wor-
ship.
Our story opens in the second
century. Marcus Aurelius Anton
inus, the philosopher, was emperor.
A fierce and general persecution
drove the Christians to the cata-
combs. The necessities of gainin o
a livelihood compelled them to at
tend to their business and labors;
but their churches above ground
were deserted, and the mysteries
of religion celebrated by the graves
of the martyrs in the bowels of the
earth. Many were thrown into
prison-many were tortured and
slain.
At this period, and at frequent
intervals during the three first CEN
turies, the pagan who was Jealous
in his own worship; the malicious
man who wished to crafty spite
against his neighbor; or the plum
derer who coveted his worldly pos
sessions, had only to denounce him
to the public authorities, if he was
a christian, to satisfy his zeal, his
malice, or his cupidity.
Octavian, an officer of the en-
peror's household, proud of his
rank, his wealth, and his position
as favorite of the good and philo-
sopical emperor, distinguished him
self by his talent and zeal; and in
no way more than by the activity
with which he pursued those ene-
mics Of the old religion enshrined
in the history, literature, and arts
ofRome.
In one of his expeditions against
the Christian, he entered the house
of Agrippa, a citizen Of high posi-
ton, who had been accused as a
convert to the new and despised
faith. He did not find him. There
were Christians everywhere; even
in the imperial palace-and Of them
had warned Agrippa of his dan
ger.
But in place of a Christian, whom
he would have joyfully dragged to
prison, to be consigned, in turn, to
the torture and the wild beast, Oc-
tavian found young lady, whose
beauty was accompanied by a
sweetness which charmed the young
and susceptible officer.
AS he knocked for admitance
she met him at the gate. His sold
iers were scattered abe ut the man
sion to prevent escape. Calm and
sweet, with an air of purity and
resignation, the maiden met him.
"You seek my father?" she said.
"He is not here"
"Do you know where he is?" ask
ed the officer, gazing at her with an
admiration he cared not to con-
ceal.
"If I knew, would you ask a