Smyrna times., 1883-01-24

III prOpneIlC VlSlOu Cne HedNelS Opencu
and the saints, in bright array, waiting
with the crown and the palm for those
who come up out of great tribulation.
On the glittering pages of GibbOn the
reader may find descriptions of the
Stadium, and the strifes of the parties,
the betting, the breathless interest, be-
yond the mere passing show exhibited
to the spectators. What the spectacle
was in Rome it was in less splendor
wherever her standards faunted their
purple and gold and the gilded globes
blazed in the sunlight. The shape of
the Amphitheater of Asia Minor was a
horseshoe, the stone benches rising in
tiers, like ours in the opera house.
From the records, it appears that
this day, the 28th of July, 166, there
had been some sort of failure in the
days sport, and the time was spent
without the ghastly complement of the
number usually slain. The day was
declining. The populace was unwear-
led; reused by the british sports, but
not sated, though the sand of the arena
was spotted with crimson, the life
blood of professional gladiators or it
may be of hapless prisoners. Over the
merciless crowd was heard clamor, q
roar like the rushing of many waters
the wild outcry for the life of one help.
less old man, to finish the days enjoy.
ment.
Around the horseshoe curve, swarm
ing with human heads, echoed the cry
Let him be burnt alive" While the
object of this concentered hate stood
Christ-like, calmly praying, they rapid
ly gathered fuel from the baths anC
workshops near, the Jews being mos
active in the work. 1t was sublime
tragedy. A majestic peace was in th'
martyrs mien and it was plain he hell
all about him cheap as the dust upol
his sandals. Possibly he thouuht som
special miracle would interpose, as di'
the thirty thousand Christians VIII
once fed to st. Sophia and waited b,
; the altar; but I do not believe il
Silently he ungirded himself, and too
his appointed place among the faggot:
When they were about to nail him t
} the stake he said, with the pathos {
one resigned to death: Let me re
| main as am for He who giveth m
} strength to sustain the fire will enabl
me, also, without your fastening m
, with nails, to endure its fierceness.
3 Putting his hands behind him, he su
D fered himself to be bound, and uttere
8 touching prayer, thanking God, WI
/ had counted him worthy the honor {
: myrtyrdom for the resurrection
Y eternal life of soul and body in Chris
and ascribing glory to the blesse
S Trinity. The fire was kindled but
# strong wind blew the flames to OIL
e side, so he was roasted, rather ths
= OuIhCu. OpOh WhlSh IlO CACSublOh
J. was ordered to dispatch him with b
e sword. When it was plunged into Il
g poor, tortured body, the blood flow
i so fast as to quench the flames, whi
% were rekindled; for the Jews we
d anxious to have it consumed, "lest
d said they, "these people should lea
d the worship of the Crucifed One, +
in this man Polycarp." So into the il
v mortal rest he entered. The play W
a. played out. In the ferocious assembl
ic a mixed multitude, there was mo
j. strous sense of satisfaction.
10 That life did not pass like the shs
ne ow of cloud, the dream of a sleep
The light kindled in the arena /
g. never been extinguished in Giao
no Smyrna, and it never can be, for t
of Truth itself has said Heaven a
n earth shall pass away, but my We
or shall never pass.-Independent.