The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-10-30
THE SEVEN sLEEPERs.

legend of the Seven Sleepers has been
told IN pious song and story. Who were
those Seven Sleepers? Is it only a
nionkish legend, an invention of the
dark ages ?" or is the story true? or
has 1t at least an historical basis
1t was in the year of our Lord $50
that Decius, the most inhuman of all
the Roman emperors, in his persecution
of the Christians, in making a tour
through his provinces, arrived at Ephe-
-sus, in Asia Minor. Christianity had
already obtained a footnold there, al
though the great majority of the people
still adhered to the heathen religion.
Upon his arrival, the emperor ordered
a sscrificial festival to be held in honor
of Jupiter, Apollo and Diana. 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 we're Max
iminiau, Dionysius. Joannes, Scrapio
and Constantine. These determined to
die rather than obey the mandate. As
soon as Decius heard of their determin-
alton, he commanded them to be brought
before him. $50" said he, "and pro-
cure incense that you may offer to the
highest powers. "The highest power"
they replied, "has his throne in the
heavens, and is the living and Almighty
God, who hath created heaven and
earth. Him we worship, Father, Son.
and Holy Spirit, and we can never again
bow down to dumb idols that are moth
ing"
With terrible glance the emperor
measures the youthful confcssors. Then
suddenly changing his manner, he en-
deavOrs TO win them by his promises
and his arguments. For he knew we'll
that martyrdom 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 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 the en-
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 betOok
themselves to a range of mountains in
the neighborhood of Ephesus. There
they discovered a cave, the entrance of
which was concealed by thick foliage.
In this cave they hid themselves, and
one of their number, Malchus, the one
least known in the city, was appointed
to supply them with food.
The day of the emperor's retftrn 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 ne could not
hope to change the purpose of the
youths, gave command to close the
mouth of the cave by Al wall, and TINS
inclose them in a living tomb. No
sooner said than dore.
There was one man, however, who,
though still q heather, had heard the
gospel and was not far from the kingdom
of God. Desiring that future genera
tions might know whose bones rested
there, he took a 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, slip
ped it into the cave and then quietly
withdrew.
Many a scoffing "good night" was
called after them by the brutal pop
lace that evening in the street of Ephe-
sus. Many tender "good night" did
the christians send after them in their
prayers. And he who preserved David
in the cave of Adullam, and rescued
Daniel fl m the den of lions, heard
their prayer. The light of day had for
them faded away. But they remember,
g He giveth his beloved sleep" They
lay themselves down and slept. Soft is
their slumber and no danger is nigh.
It is as though holy angels had en-
campoi round about them. We will
leave them to their sleep and write over
them on the dark rock the words of
David: Glow excellent is thy loving
kindness, o God therefore the chi
dren of men put their trust under the
shadow of thy wings"
Time passes on swift wings. Genera
tiOus come and go like phantom spirits.
About 1S7 years later we are again in
Ephesus. But how changed is the
scene Deoius, the tyrant, is molder-
ing in the grave. The world is com.
pletely changed. A wealthy land own
er desires to make some improvements
on his estate. In searching for suitable
building material, he finds an old wall
with large square stones. The blocks
are easily removed and the mouth of
cave is revealed. 1t is the cave of the
Seven Sleepers, whose history has long
gin 1vtD II ~c
light entering for the first time after so
many years awakened the youths. They
thankea God that deliverance had come
so soon. For they supposed but a sin
gle night had passed since they were
immured.
Malchus was again sent to the city
for bread. But the way seemed verv
strange to him. And what was his as
tonishment to find over the very gates
of the city glittering cross. the
ci ty itself he can scarcely trust his
senses. The images of the gods were
removed. In 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 it be that this is Ephesus, where
but few days ago we were prescribed
by the imperial edict, " was the thought
of MalchUs. But mindful of his errand
he enters a bakers shop and offers in
payment for the bread a silver coin.
The baker took the coin and carefully
examined it. "This is a very ancient
coin, said he; why, it bears the i'm
age of Decius. Where did you obtain
it ?" "Where is Decius? ?" was the
reply of Malchus. "Has he left the
city, and if so, when?" The baker and
the crowd that had meantime gathered,
looked at Malchus and seemed to re-
gard him as one who had lost his rea-
eoD. One of them demanded to know
where ne had discovered the hidden
treasure. Finally Malehus was taken
before the bishop of the city.