Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1888-01-26
ROMAN cATACoMBs.
sksiesons Of n.rsy Chrsstiss. rhas Ar
Even Nov Wen Preserved

eksieeons OF Marry Chrfstians Thai Ar
Even Nov Wen Preserved
The Roman catacombs are long and
narrow passages or cross-galleriea ex-
cavated In the bowels Of the earth. In
the hills outside and around the city.
for the burial Of the dead They are
dark and gloomy. with only an occa-
sional ray of light from above. The
galleries have two or more stories. all
filed with tombs; and form an in
tricate network or subterranean
labyrinth. Small compartments 10
cnii) for the reception of the dead
were cut out like shelves in the per-
pendicular walls. and rectangular
chambers (cubieula) for families or
distinguished martyrs They were
closed with slab Of marble OF tile.
The more wealthy were laid In sar.
cophagi. The ceiling is fat some
times slightly arched Space was
economixed so As to leave room usual
ly only for . single person. the aver
age width Of tho passages being two
and one-half feet This economy may
be traced to tho poverty OF the early
Christians. and also to their strong
sense of community In life and in
death. The little oratories with affairs
and Episcopal choirs cut in the tufts
are probably Of later construction. and
could accommodate only few per.
sons at time. They were suited for
funeral services and private devotionS
huf n ~ Tor p.hltc xxnrab;,,
The furniture of the Catacombs Is
instructive and interesting. but most
of it has been removed to churches
and museums. aud must be studied
outside. Articles OF ornament, rings.
seals. bracelets, necklaces. mirrors,
tooth-picks. ear-pic5s. buckles
brooches rare coins. innumerable
lamps of clay (terra-cotta) or 4
bronze (even of silver and amber) all
sorts Il tools. and in the case Of chill
dren variety Of playthings were in
closed with the dead. Many of these
articles were carved with the mono
gram Of Christ or with other Christian
symbols. (The lamps in Jewish cem-
eteries generally bear a picture Of the
golden candlestick.)
A great number of TASKS and cups.
with or without ornamentation. are
also found. mostly outside Of the
graves and fastened 10 the grave-lids.
These were formerly supposed to have
been receptacles for tears. or from
the red. dried sediment in them. for
the blood of martyrs. But later
archnologists consider them drink
ing vessels used IN the
agape and oblations. A super
stitious habit prevailed in the fourth
century. although condemned by a
council of Carthage (S97) to give to
the dead the eucharistic wine.
or to put cup with tho consecrated
wine into the grave
The instruments of torture which
the fertile imagination Of credulous
people had discovered. and which
were made TO prove that almost every
Christian buried in tho Catacombs
was martyr, are simply implements
Of handicraft. The instinct Of nature
prompts the bereaved to deposit in
the graves of their kindred and friends
those things which we're constantly
nsed by them The idea prevailed
also. 10 large extent. that the future
life was continuation of the occupa-
tions and amusements Of the present
but free from sin and imperfection.
On opening the graves the skeleton
frequently appears even now very
well preserved. sometimes in dazzling
whiteness. as covered with glisten-
ing glory. but falls into dust at the
touch. PROT. Phtiip Schaf ia Century.