, 1875-10-10
A VERY otD cOuplE-
THE SEVEN SLEEPERS;

. | ~
TIE SEVEN SLEEPERS;
Or, tho Sphinx of Diana.
4. p.67.
Ephesus-the red setting sun pouring its
splendid light upon the marble city, and, ADORE
ali. uuon the magnificent temple OF Diana,
which had deded the fire OF the madman Eros
tatas, and which, even In our days, remains in
part to testify to tho justice which declared it
oDe Of the seven wonders Of the world.
Ephesas, the setting sun, aud tho Epheaians
pouring from all points upon Via Sacra~tha
Sacred Road-to see tho strange eeven Chris
tiaua pass,
To a!l intents and purnosea, the Epheaiaus
| were Romans in their religious ideas aud habite.
They we're perfectly liberal, and, as in Rome,
6ornpis, the favorite divinity of the Egyptians,
had more than once become the fashion.
I But whether the wretched mea Nero (etill
young, for he died. scarcely 80, in the following
Jear) WAS or was not mad, i. is certain that ho
WAS the hrst Of the Roman Empc1o1s consist
entity and systematically TO persecuts the Chris
tians.
But the Romans, as rule, did not persecute
tho Christians 80 much becacaa Of their faith u
because they would not fight.
Now, the Roman was bound to fight for his
country, if called upon. and he was frequently
required to do 50; bat the Christian quite rc-
fused. couscieutiously. to fight, and lie pre-
ferrcd before doing 60, to be condemned to
! death es coward.
| The Romans. however, appear at ver7 early
| period, to have seen TINT the men who could die
for their faith were no towards, while, by their
! ought not to hare been nartYred.
Hence, tho Roman judges found themselves
| in the dilemma Of either lc.tns the Christians
live. and thereby encouraging their faith amongst
all those who had no desire to eight for tne Ro-
man power, or Of condeuning them to death
not aB towards, but as man who denied tho rec
ognizcd diEioities.
Ch1intiaos, however, were submitted to but s.
very simple ordeal if they 1cs,red 10 1eooaaco
Christianity. All they bad to do was to burn
pinch OF incense in the fame rising from the
altar before the statue OF giEeu deity, an1
they were thereby reconstructed Roman citizeus-
Tho greater number we're true to their new
faith, aud died,-chiely in the arena, where, as
an example to their feilo1-citizens, they were
thrown to the Wild beasts and without aszns
that they nigh. not have tho honor, if they
wished it. Of defending themselves against the
f2mhnlng. Wild luDper-feroclou3 beasts.
But, in Ephesus, Christians had scarcely been |!
known. The deity OF that city Was Diana.-the |
Diana Of the Ephesians; Diana, the goddess of !
purity Diana. Wboso Vesta!s vera ever clothed |
in silver and white, who sang to Diana's glory I
unceasingl7, and to touch whom. as they passed |
through the streets, was sentence Of DEATH
Unquestonab1y. the Ephesaus were c6mpara-
lively pure people. and it 10 little to be Won
dered at that, when tbev did embrace CHRISTIAN
is;h. III they became ardent disciples Of the new
But that Was long after. We are in the year
4. D. 55. and great ia Diana Of tho Ephesians~
The strange seven Christians are to be eeeri-
fcod for the safety OF Ephesus.
To the cast Of the town. four days since, h
sudden gap appeared in tho hillside and
sound as OF Nature moaning was heard to issue
from it.
The aueurs had been consulted. and thcv de-
cIeTed that the Ephesians had offended DIANA
that sacrifice must be offered as propitiation.
Whether or not the diviners e1erted them
selves to find hidden Christians, 1t came about
that on the eve OF the day upon which they de-
clarad the will Of the osacles. seyea Epheeiau
Christians we're found. seven hidden Christians
living in the city dedicated to pure Diana.
The people recognize With acclaim that this is
the ohense,-that the hillside has opened, and |
OF seven Ch1iseianB in the Sllvcr City Of Diana
IA the sun rises on the following morn, the | .
great arena, the circular opeuair amphitheatre,
where the gladatorB contest. s filing with the
Ephesians. come TO sec the trial and daath Of I
The seven Christians. ,
Now and again, above tho chattering and
laughter Of the people, savage roar. followed !
Immediately BY otbes s!range savage sounds.
nay be heard. These angry complaints come
rom the Wild animals confined 10 cages in the I
Ircades Of the a1eua. aud but half-fed, that, I :
vben the victims are thrown to them, they ahall {
lot balk the Epneslans Of their day . p1easure,-
hat Of seeing the wild beasts devour the per-
'erts.
Aa usual, the Pro Consul sits in the tribune,
ONE 10 or IL feet above tbs floor Of the arena, |
us breast level with the coping Of the marble |
'all which forms the round we'll OF architecture
u1rounding the arena.
Balo": 10 the arena, stands an altar before
naming trpoo; anu near as hand supply
f rnwdEr60 inceu6B. |