The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1874-10-16

peror. BY the citizens of Ephesus they
were prescribed !; by many, however,
secretly admired. Determined not to
renounce their faith, they, however, de-
cided to avoid the monster as much as
possible. With this object, they be-
took themselves to a range of noun
tains in the neighborhood of Ephesus.
| There they discovered cave, the en-
trance of which was concealed by thick
foliage. In this cave they hid them
selves, and one of their number, NAL
| chus, the one least known in the city,
was appointed to supply them with
food.
The day of the Enlperor's return ar
rived. One of his first questions was
concerning ''the stubborn youths.
They have escaped, was the reply.
But their concealment had been dis
covered. Spies had followed them, and
purchased the Emperor's favor by re-
vealing the place of concealment.
Decius, knowing well that he could not
hope. to change the purpose of the
youths, gave command to close the
mouth of the cave by wall, and thus
inclose them in living tomb. No
sooner said than done.
There was one man, however, who,
though still heathen, had heard the
gospel and was not far from the king
dom of God. Desiring that future gen
erations might know whose bones rested
| there. he took roll of parchment and
| writing on it the names of the youths,
| and an account of their courageous
bearing, inclosed it in an iron casket.
and unobserved by the workmen, slipped
it into the cave and then quietly with
drew.
Many a scofing 'tgood night" was
called after them by the brutal popu-
lace that evening in the street of
Ephesus. Many a tender "good night"
did the Christians send after them in
their prayers. And he who preserved
David in the cave of Adullam, and res
cued Daniel from the den of lions,
heard their prayer. The light of day
remember, "He giveth his beloved
sleep" They lay themselves down and
sleep. Soft is their slumber and no
danger is nigh. 1t is as though holy
angels had encamped round about
them. We will leave them to their
sleep, and write over them on the dark
rock the words of David How ex-
cellent is thy loving kindness, o God!
therefore the children of men put their
trust under the shadow of thy wings"
Time passes on swift wings. Gen
CA&SGAOhS COAAC SLlA0 ~ AAAO RAAeAAbOAAA
spirits. About 187 years later we are
again in Ephesus. But how changed
is the scene Decius, the tyrant. is
moldering in his grave. The world IS
completely changed.
A wealthy land owner desires to
make some improvements on his estate.
In searching for suitable building ma
terial, he finds an old wall with large
square stones. The blocks are easily
- Is
revealed. Tt is the cave of the Seven
Sleepers, whose history had long since
passed into oblivion. The rays of light
entering for the first time after 50 many
years awakened the youths. They
thanked God that deliverance had come
so soon. For they supposed but a
single night had passed since they were
immured.
Malchus was again sent to the city
for bread. But the way seemed very
strange to him. And what was his
astonishment to find over the very gates
of the city glittering cross. In the
) city itself he can scarcely trust his
| senses. The images of the gods were
removed. Ia the place of the heather
temple he notices buildings with proud
domes and glittering crosses. And in
. the forum he hears the witnesses swear
: by the omnipotent God, yes, even by
/ the name of Christ, instead of Diana
and Apollo. He thinks it is a dream.
Accosting man on the street. he asks
him the name of the city. "The name
| of the city is Ephesus," was the reply.
: "Can 1t be that this is Ephesus, where
but a few days ago we were prescribed
, by the imperial edict, was the thought
: of Malchus. But mindful of his errand
: he enters bakers shop and offers in
: payment for the bread silver coin.
l The baker took the coin and carefully
: examined it. ''This is a very ancient
; coin,' said he; "why, it bears the
image of Decius. Where did you OBJ
tain it p 60 Where is Decius?" ?" was the
| reply of Malchus. Has he left the
the crowd that had meantime gathered,
l looked az Malchus and seemed to regard
him as one who had lost his reason.
One of them demanded to know where
$ he had discovered the hidden treasure.
t Finally Ma1chus was taken before the
Bishop of the city.
The Bishop was reverend and dig.
nifed man. In kind manner he asked
Malchus who he was and whence he
came Malchus replied that he was
one of the seven youths who had re-
Gently been immured in the grotto al
the command of the Emperor Decius
! given them light and freedom. The
q Emperor Decius? 1t is nearly 20(
a years since Decius sat upon the throne
e Many Emperors have reigned since
, then. Theodosius now reigns by the
grace of God. Heathendom has long
q since fallen. The cross Is everywhere
i victorious. But tell me, where are you
4 six companions ? Show us the cave.
r Thus spoke the Bishop. And Nal
4 chus led him to the cave, followed by
= an immense concourse of Christians
|. In the cave they found the iron caske
= with the parchment roll, containing {
= full account of their history. For two
r centuries the youths had slept, and nov
4 they awoke to see regenerated world
. The Bishop fastened to send an &C
i count of the matter to Theodosius a
Y ConstantinopIe. The Emperor himsel
q hastened to Ephesus to behold the won
$ der. But the youths, obedient to al
/ inner voice, in the same hour tina
8 Malchus returned, had again laid dow
J. and the Lork took their souls to heaven
;. Lutheran Home Monthly.
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d France, and their average consump