The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1897-10-22

of feeling, spirit to which we are
strangers, but it is true the efforts
Of the leaders Of the early church
had often to be turned with all their
might to prevent their people from being
martyrs needlessly; it was almost nee
essary to use force, and to speak threats
of divine displeasure to keep young
men and maidens, and grown men and
women from walking to the stake of
their own accord and beseeching their
prosecutors to torture them. A Roman
aoldier at Carthage in Africa became a
Christian, and then, much to the dis.
pleasure of his fellow Christians even,
refused to wear the laurel wreath which
was given the soldiers as sign Of vic
tory. Thus he instantly marked him.
self out for death, and brought other
Christians to death with him. Here Is
what another who lived in the second
century (and his letters are still pre-
served), wrote to his friends when
he was being brought to Rome in order
to be burned for his faith his friends
were trying to save him by petition, he
wrote to them not to thwart him in this
his great opportunity: II write to you
in the midst of life, yet LISTING after
death. II ye be silent and leave me
alone, that is to die, then am word of
God, if ye desire to spare my flesh then
shall I be again mere cry. Do not abet
Satan against me, Chat is by saving his
life from martydrom.) 1 exhort you be
not unreasonable In kindness to me, let
me be given to the wild beasts. I am
Gods wheat let me be ground by the
teeth of the wild beasts that may be
found bread; rather entice the wild
beasts that they may become my sepul-
chre;" and 30 the plea went on. How
different from all our feelings! To him
martyrdom was pleasant service, was
most desirable thing, to as almost o
miraculous thing requiring special power
Of God to bear. See how it is; the
things that are wonderful to the eye
that sees from afar become common.
place to men IS they experience them
themselves. Ignatius did not think his
peculiar longing marvellous, strange
1t seemed natural to him.
THAT MAN HAS GREAT INSIGHT,
a wonderful vision who can see the won.
der and the power of those things which
are happening right about him. To heal
the miracles of the past; that Ia easy, tt
read the miracles of the present that Ii
J inspiration. That takes prophet. Tt
recognize our angels who talk with US
and give us council, to know the trus
messages of the Lord, and to know tina
they are messages of God; that needs i
lofty soul, and q great faith, and few
there be that enter into it, IL you arr
lever inclined to moan for the day Of
great things that are past, and TO be
little the works of the Lord in the time
and place where You now live; i beseech
you remember this picture of the Man OF
God sitting under the oak, and talking
with an angel, and bemoaning the fact
that Gods wonders were all departed.
Let that story shut your complaining
lips, and open your blinded eyes. But
i there ID more In this wonderful story
there is something still more striking
which remains to be told. Gideon
ssdreed bis weird,'' made his moan, and
opened up all the despair and hopeless
ness OF his heart, and what did the angel
say? How did he meet the spirit OF COM
plaining2 Well 1t was wonderful
word and strange one; the angel
turned unto Gideon and said go thou in
this thy might and save Israel from the
hand OF Midian;'' well that was word
of establishment. it was az il he said $50
there are now no miracles for you and
your age; the hand of the power Of the
Lord Ii departed from You, well then 40
and work miracle for yourself, and for