The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-12-13

scofhng "good night" was called after
them by the brutal populace that even
ing in the streets 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 Adulham, and rescued Daniel from
the den of lions, heard their prayer.
The light of day had for them faded
away. But they remembered, "He
giveth His beloved Sleep" They lay
themselves down and slept. Soft is
their slumber, and no danger is nigh.
1t is as though holy angels had en-
camped round about them. We will
leave them TO their sleep, und write
over them on the dark rock the words
of David: "How excellent is thy low
ing kindness, o God! therefore, the
children of men put their trust under
the shadow of thy wings" Time passes
on swift wings. Generations como md
go like phantom spirits. About 1S7
years later We are again in Ephesus.
But how changed is tho sccne! Deoius,
the tyrant, is moldering in his grave.
The world is completely changed.
A wealthy land owner desires to
make some Improvements in his estate.
In searching for suitable building ma.
terial he finds on old wall with large
square stones. The blocks are easily
removed, and tho mouth of O cave is
revealed. It is the cave of the Seven
Sleepers. whose history had long since
passed into oblivion. The ra rs Of light
entering for the first time nfter SO many
years, awakened the youths. They
thanked God that deliyerance had
come 80 soon. For they supposed but
q 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 as
tonishmcnt to find over the very gates
of tho city glittering GROSS. In the
city itself, he can scarcely trust his
senses. Tho images OF the gods were
removed. In the place of tho hcathen
temple he notices buildings with proud
domcs and glittering crosses, and in
tho 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 dream.
Accosting man on the street, he asks
him the name of the city. "Thc nnmc
Of the city is Ephcsus," was Tic reply.
"Cnn it bo that this is EpGcsus. where
but few days ago we were prescribed
iy tho imperial edict. was the thought
of Malchus. But mindful Of his er-
rand, he entered bakers shop aad
offers III paym for bread II silver
coin. The baker took tic coin and
carefully examined it, "rhis is \ vcry
ancient coin," said he; "why, it bears
the imuge OF Decius. Where did You
obtain it?" "Whero is Dec;us?" was
the reply of Malchus. "ITas he left
the city, and if so, where?" The
baker and the crowd that had gathered
IN the meantime looked ut Nlaich,s,
and seemed to regard him rs one who
had lost his reason. Que OF them de-
mandsd to know where lc had disco
vered tho hidden treasure. Finally
Malchus was taken before the bishop
OF the city. The bishop was rcve-
rend and digniiied MN. In kind
manner he asked Malchus who he wna
and whence he came. Malchus replied
that he was one of tho seven youths
who had recently been immurcd in the
grotto ut the command Of the Emperor
Decius. but that the Lord their God
had again given them light and free.
dom.
"rhe Emperor Decns2 1t is nearly
200 years since Decius sat upon the
throne. Many Emperors have reigncd
since then. Theodosius now reigns by
the grace Of God. IIeathcndom has
long since fallen. The cross is every
where victorious. Dut tell me. here
are yonr six companions? Show Us
the cave" Thus spoke the bishop.
| And Malchus led him to the cave, fol-
lowed by an immense concourse of
Christians. In the cave they found
| the iron caskct with the parchmeut
roll, containing n full account of their
history. For two centuries the youths
had slept, and now they uwoke to see
q regencrated world. The bishop hast
ened to send al account Of the matter
to Theodosius OF Constantinoplc. The
Emperor himself hastened TO Ephesns
to behold tho wonder. But the youths,
obedient to an inner voice, i'll the same
hour that Malchus returned, had again
laid down, and tho Lord took their
souls to Heaven.
One OF THE STORIES WITH Which
MR. BEECnEK LIGuTENs Cp HIS SEE.
MoNs.-Some meu think l tend too
much to liberalism. am not :, monk.
am not medNyaIst. 10 ne,
Christianity is sweetness, hone. ron.l