Orangeburg times. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1872-1875, 1874-10-29
THE SEVEN sLEEpERs.

For more than thousand years tho
legend of the Seven Sleepers has been
told in pious song and story. Who were
those Seven Sleepers? Is it only
nionkish legend, an invention of the
dark ages 2" or is the story true? or
has it at least an historical basis? ..,f,.
1t was in the year of our Lord $50
that Decius, the most inhuman Of oil
the Roman emperors, in his persecution
OF the Christians, in making tour
through his provinces, arrived ut Ephe.
sus, in Asia Minor. Christianity had,
already obtaineda q footnold there, al
though the great ajority of the people
still adhered to the heathen religion.
Upon his arrival, the emperor ordered
socrifcial festival to be held in honor
of Jupiter, Apollo and Diam. In this
festival, every one was commanded to
take part under the penalty Of mourning
the imperial displeasure in case of re.
fusal. Among the Christians of the
city were seven youths, descendants of
noble families. Their names were Max
iminian, Dionysius, Joannes, Scrapio
and Constantine These determined, to
die rather than obey the mandate sAs
soon as Decius heard of their determin-
alton, he commanded them to be brought
before him. "Go," said he, "and pro-
cure incense that You may offer to the
highest powers."n ".The highest power"
they replied, !" has his throne in the
heavens, and is the living and Almighty
God, who hath created heayen and,
earth. Him we worship, Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit, and we can never again
bow down to dumb idols that are moth
ing" 7if''l'!9 p'ri 10 ~ aH'-
With terrible glance tho emperor
measures the youthful confessors. Then
suddenly changing his manner, he en-
deavors to win them by his promises
and his arguments. For he knew well
that martyroom would pour oil on the
flames he was trying to qucnch. Failing
to obtain his object by threats and by
promises, he tells them that he will
graciously y accord them time to consider
their resolution until he should again
return to Ephesus. and informs them of
the terrible consequences if they should
still continue their stubborn resistance
With calm courage the young men
departed from the presence of tho en-
peror. BY the citizens of Ephesus they
were prescribed; by many. however,
secretly. admired. Determined not to
renonnce their faith, they, however, de-
cided to avoid the monster as much as
possible. With this object, they. betook
themselves to,asrange of mountains in
the neighborhood of Ephesus. There
they discovered cave, the entrance of
which was concealed by thick foliage.
In this cave they hid themselves, and
one of their number, Malchus, the QUO
least known in the city. was appointed
to supply them with food.
The day of the emperor's return ar
rived. Ono 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 we'll that lie could not
hope to change the purpose of the
youths, gave command to close the
mouth OF the cave by n wall, and thus
inclose them in living tomb. No
sooner said than done.
Ihere was one man, however, who,
though still heathen, had heard the
gospeland was not far from the kingdom
Of God. Desiring that future genera
tions might know whose bones rested
Shere, he took asroll Of parchment and
writing on it the names OF the youths
and an account of their couraeeous
bearing, inolosed it in an iron caskas.
and, unobserved by the workmen, slim.
ped it into the cave aud then quietly
withdrew ,ssl I
Many soothing "good night" was
called after them by tile brutal pop :
lace that evening in the street of Ephe-
sus. Many ntender' good night dill
the christians send after them in their
prayers. And he who preserved David
in the cave of Adullam, and resoued