The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1874-11-13
The Seven

S
For more than a Thousand years the
legend of the Seven Sleepers has been
told in pious song and story. Who were
those Seven Sleegers? Is itOnly a monk
lslI legend, an invention OF the dark
| ages " or il tie story true Z or has 1t at
least an historical basis?
1t was III the yea of our Lord $50 that
DeClus, the most inhuman OF all the
Roman emperors, in his persecution OF
the Christians, in making Il tour through
his provinces, arrived at EpheSus, ln
Asia Minor. Christianity had already
obtained Il fOOthOld there, although the
great majority Ut the people still add
iIered to the heather religion. Upon
his arrival, the emperor ordered a sacri-
ticial festival to he held in honor of Ju-
piter, Apollo and Diana. In this festi-
val, every one was commanded to take
part under the penalty OF mourning the
Imperial d~ispleasure in case of refusal.
Among the Christians OF the city were
seVenyouths. descendants o fnoble fami-
lies. Their anne were MaxlmInlan,
DlOnyslus, JOannes, ScrapiO and Com
stantlne. These determined to die
rather than obey the mandate. As soon
as Decius heard OF their determination,
he commanded them to be brought be-
fore him, go" said he, " and procure
incense that You may offer to the high
est powers THE highest power"
they replied, "has HIS throne in the
heavens, and is the liyi ng and Almighty
God, who hath Great ed heaven and
earth. Him we worship, Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit, and We CO IN never again bow
down to dumb idols that are nothing"
With terrible 9 lance the emperor
measures the youtht al confessors. Then
suddenly changing his manner, he en-
beavers to win the m by his promises
and his arguments. For he knew well
that martyrdom would pour Oil on the
fumes he was trying; to quench. Failing
to obtain his object by threats and by
promises, he tells them that he will
graciously accord TIL EN- time to consider
their resolution until he should again
return to Ephesus, and informs them OF
the terrible conseQuen noes it they should
still continue their stubborn resistance.
With a calm courage the young men
departed from the presence of the en-
peror. By the citizens of Ephesus they
were prescribed; by many, however.
secretly admired. Determin ed not to
renounce their faith, they, b however, de-
cIded to avoid the monster as, much as
possible. With this object, they betook
themselves to a range of mountains i'll
the neighbOrhtIod of Ephesus. There
they discovered q cave, the entrance OF
which was concealed by thick foliage:
In this ave they hid themselves, and
q OF theirnumber, MaIchus, the one
least known in tho city, was appointed
to supply them with food.
The day OF the emperOr's return ar
rived. One of llis first questions was
concerning "the stubborn youths"
They have Escaped was the reply.
But their cont:ealment had been dis
covered. Spie S had followed them, and
purchased the emper0rs favor by re-
.vealing the place OF cOncealment. De-
cius, knowing well that he could not
hope to change the purpose OF the
youths, gave command to close the
mouth of tile cave by q wall, and thus
inclc,se them in u living tomb. No soon-
en- 8 aid than done.
There was one man, however, who,
tb ough still q heather, had heard the
gospel and was not far from the king
dom Of God. Desiring that future gem
erati0ns might know whose bones rested
there, he tOolt Il roll of parchment and
writing on it the names of the youths,
and al account of their courageous bear
ing, inelosed it in an iron casket, and,
un0bserved by the w0rkmen, slipped it
into the cav and then quietly withdrew.
Many a SOOTHING good night" was
called after them by the brutal pOpu-
lace that evening in the streets ofEp1e,
sus. Many a tender good night" did
the christians send after them in their
prayers. And he who preserved David
in the cave of Adnllam, and rescued
Daniel from the den of lions, heard
their prayers. The light of day had for
them faded away. But they remember,
" He giyeth his beloved Sleep They
lay themselves down and slept. Soft is
their slunber and no danger is nigh.
1t is rs though holy angels had en-
canped round about them. We will
leave them to their sleep and write over
them on the dark rock the words OF
David: /" How excellent is thy loving
kindness, @ God ! therefore the children
of men put their trust under the shadow
OF thy wings
Time passes on swift wings. Genera
tons come and go like phantom spirits.
About 1877 year later we are again in
Ephesus. But how changed is the
scenel Deeius, the tyrant, is mOlder-
ing in the grave. Tie world is COM
pletely changed. A wealthy land own
er desires to make some improvements
on his estate. In searching for suitable