The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-05-04
FoR rHE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
THE CATACOMBS OF ROME.
NO II.

and above and around you, open like fan
miles and miles of dark murky passages,
interminable labyrinths of blind corridors
midst visible darkness. None knows where
they begin, none knows where they end.
Imagine four or FIVE spider webs, with their
threads crossing each other in an indefinite
perplexity, and you have the plan of the
Cstacombs. They extend to the depth of 125
feet. Through a pit they go down staircase
and reach second story of caves, and there
yOuwalk through miles after miles of graves.
Down through another pit you step to a Sd,
and even to 18th aud 9Th level, and each
levelyou advance through leagues of TOmbs,
Each corridor is exceedingly low and mar
row, terminating by breastwork of alcove
which the early christians changed into fam
lily vaults and chapels where they gathered
to sing the Hymn Of the Resurrection and
these chapels are 1900 in number, measur-
ing 25 by 80 feet. The voyage is through
out continual walking down and up, and
up and down and if those corridors could
be added on a continued line, they would
form street 900 miles in length. Imagine
the whole distance from Chicago to Balt-
more, and you have the extent of Tombs in
the Catacombs. These were used chiefly
from the beginning, as the places of sepul-
ture, but We cannot reject the opinion that
they served for occasional and temporary
places of refuge. There the church was
intrenched, undermining the foundation of
pagsnism, till the day when triumphant she
marks with her cross the banner of the
Caesars. During the ten blood-red Persecu-
BUTTONS, jealous christians were put to death
the survivors were glad to hide themselves
for little moment, until the indignation
was psst-and the Catacombs were their
hiding places. Christian Pastors and their
fOcks retreated there from impending dan
ger. There they continued steadfast in the
doctrine of the Apostle they obeyed from
the heart, and in fellowship, and in the
AgapO or feasts of charity, in which they
learned how to bear each others burdens.
and in prayers; and the leaders of the per
secuted saints were the Arenaii or miners.
These labOring men were christian soldiers,
withdrawn from the ranks by the Emperors,
and condemned to toll in the Sand.crypts.
They dug the galleries so as to make them
inaccessible to the Tyrauts, and battle anv
effort to pursue the saints. The numerous
shafts and the labyrinth passages which it
would require familiar acquaintance to
thread and follow, facilitated the escape of
the christians from the pursuit of the releut-
less foes. In the vicinity of those entrances
the Scouts were placed so as to warn the
Saints Of the approach of danger. Many [
Of those openings, scattered all over the
Campagna, are now Overgrown with vines,
aud are quite dangerous to incautious riders
1t is asserted that there are 900 openings
to the 81 Cataeombs. The Gatacomb of St.
Agnes, owing to its numerous .foramina, or
shafts, became for ages den of Bauditti.
There they could Turk in comparative safety
and the agents of the Papal police would
never venture search in such places every
where well arranged with means of escape.
1t is not without s tumult of emotions
overwhelming us that we peer away into the
darkness. Interest in palaces dies away
when We descend.
What Crypt what Gallery records no
episode of the great tribulation, or the name
of Christian herOl
A scene of blood under Diocletian was
related to us by our guide.
:" A party Of soldiers found an entrance
to the Catacombs. They made their
way through the hedge of laurel that
eOnceals the private opening-marched with
quiet tread down the steps of sandstone
into the narrow labyrinth, one by one-a
torch bearer in front cautiously pursuing
his path, till be hears distant voices in con-
versatiOn or singing. A noise startled the
little party, the song is hushed; the COLO
guy is broken off. They listen The sound
Of the corners is not that of brethren. 1t
IS too late for them to escape. A helmet is
seen by the light of the torch. There are
other helmets behind. The character and
purpose Of the visitors are but too evident.
The christians are speedily overcome, bound
and led away to some basilica in the Forum,
where, after the mockery of trial, they
are sentenced to die. The bodies of some
we're cast into the Tiber-others were ex-
posed and left to be devoured by dogs.
These the faithful gathered up and brought
10 the Catacombs The slab of the martyrs
tomb served as the Table Of the Lord, and
became the altar Of the primitive church"
JULES DELAUNAY.
TREASURES IN HEAvEN.-We read of a :