The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-24

Roman Province Of Bythinia, In the reign
OF the Emperor Trojan, SS-l17 A. ID. And
mere IS Pliny's Letter to the Emperor
IL is rule, sir, which l inviolably OBJ
serve, to efer myself 10 you In all my
doubts; for who is more capable of re-
moving my scruples or informing my ig
norance2 Having never been present at
any rials concerning those persons who
are CHRISTIANS, 1 am unacquainted not
only with the nature OF their crimes, or
the measure of their punishment, but how
far IL is proper TO enter into an eXamina-
ton concerning them. Whether. there
fore, any difference is usually made with
respect 10 the ages OF the guilty, or no
distinction is to be observed between the
young and the adult; whether repentance
entities them to a pardon; or, IL a man
has been once Christian, Il avais moth
ing to desist from his error; whether the
very profession of Christianity, unattend-
ed with any criminal acts, or only the
crimes themselves inherent In the profess
sion, are punishable; in all these points 4
am greatly undOubtful.
IN the meanwhile the method have OBJ
served toward those who have been
brought before me as Christians is this:
i interrogated them whether they were
Christians, II they confessed, ! repeated
the question twice. adding threats at the
same time; and If they still persevered, i
ordered them TO be Immediately punish
60. rOr 4 was persuaded. Whatever the
nature OF their opinions might be- con-
tumacious and infiexible obstinacy GER
tainly deserved correction. There were
others also brought before me possessed
with the same infatuation; but being
citizens OF Rome. / directed that they
should be conveyed thther. But this
crime spreading las is usually the case)
while Il was actually under prosecution,
several instances OF the same nature Oc-
CURED. An information was presented 10
me without any name subscribed. con-
tanning a charge against several persons,
these, upon examination, denied that
they were. or had ever been, Christians.
They repeated after me an invocation TO
the gods, and offered religious rites with
wine and franNncense before your statue
(Which for that purpose 1 had ordered 10
be brought, together with those Of the
gods. ana even reViled the name OF
Christ; whereas there is no forcing il is
said. those who are really Christians into
any OF these ComplauCcS. ] thought II
proper, therefore. 10 discharge them.
CONTAGIOUS SUPERSTlTUTlONS.
'Somc among those who were accused by
a witness in person. at first confessed
themselves Christians but Immediately
after denied g. the rest owned. indeed,
they had been OF that number formerly,
but had now (sOme above three, others
more and few above twenty years ago.
renowned that error. They all worship
ped your statue and the images Of the
gods. uttcring mprecations at the same
time against the name of Christ They
anrmed that the whole Of their gilt. or
their error, was, that they met on a GER
tain stated day before II was light, and
addressed themselves - a form Of prayer
to Christ, as a god. binding themselves
by a solemn oath, not for any wicked pur-
pose, bot never 10 commit any fraud.
theft. or adultery: never 70 break their
word nor deny trust when called upon
10 deliver II up; after which IL was their
custom 20 separate, and then reassemble,
10 eat IN common a harmless meal. From
this custom, however, they deststed after |
the publication OF my edict, by which.