The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-30
PART TWO.
IT RECALLS "QUo VADIS."
poU&NCE OF EARLY CHRISTIANITY
JUST REPUBLIsHED.

rouud in COptic Pnpyrus Which
r.us of the Remarkable CONVEX
linn of 81. ThecIa, Her Love Affairs,
4er Trials and Her Triumps.
From the Philadelphia Record.
Attention is invited to a new find in an
o,ent Christian literature. made by DR..
1rorl Schmidt. a German theologian, and
for the first time published in the Neue-
rleideIberger Jahrbuecher. During Dr.
sebmidt's recent sojourn in Egypt, where
he devoted several years to archaeological
research, he had come upon number of
,anvrus fragments at Cairo which en-
Traced well-k known legend that goes by
tbs name of the Acts of St. Theca." At
Ter the library of the University of Hell
delberg had acquired this collection the
German scholar, upon his return, subject
cd it to renewed investigation at his leis-
urs and supplied by the needed scientific
anparatus that was wanting in Egypt He
then found that the Acts of St. Thecla
were indeed contained in this papyrus re-
cord. but not as an independent writing.
They were simply part of the Acts of st.
Paul DR.. Schmidt writes:
During Pauls preaching to the congre-
gation in the house of Onisiphoros, in Icon
INN. a maiden named Thecla (whose moth
er's name was Theocleia), the bride of
man named Thamyris, was sitting at her
window nearby and listening night and day
10 Paul's speaking of chastity, and she
never left the window. Now, as she saw
many women and maidens entering the
house where Paul preached, she, too, was
L 4 h. -
meeting Paul and hearing the word of
Christ for she had not yet seen the coun-
tenance of Paul, but only heard his voice.
Thecla never leaving the window, her
mother sent for Thamyris. He came full of
Joy, for he believed that she now would
be given to him in marriage. Said Thamy-
lis to Theocleia: Where is my Thecla?'
And Theocleia replied. I must tell you
something unpleasant, Thamyris. Thecla,
for three days and nights, has not risen
from the window, does neither eat nor
drink but necessarily, and with delight,
her ears are turned to a stranger, who pro-
claims deceptive and confusing doctrines.
Oh Thamyris, that man stirs up to sedi-
ton the city of Iconium, and even your
Thecla for all maidens and youths call
on him and are taught by him only one
God and to live abstinent. My daughter
sticks to the window like a spider and is
seized with longing and fearful passion by
his words. Walk in and talk to her, for
she is yours
Thus her lover, mother and servants en-
deavor by caresses, pleadings and re-
proaches to dissaude Thecla, but in vain.
Finally, Thamyris rises full on anger and
runs from the house. In the street he
meets two false friends of St. Paul, who
advise him to report the apostle to the au-
thorities, saying: HE prevents the young
men from choosing wives and madens
from getting husbands, for he asserts that
otherwise there would be no resurrection
for them. Denounce him to Gov. Cas-
tolius as alternating the people from the
gods to the new doctrine of the Christians,
and you will destroy him and wed your
Thecla."
So Thamyris arrives with large ex-
cited crowd of people in front of the house
IN which Paul breaches, and the multitude
begins to cry: Away with the wizard!
lie seduces all our women" Amid great
uproar, they rush to the house of the pro-
consul. This vagabond and stranger
iorbids our girls to marry" they shout
ca. Now, Paul, after a speech in defense
OF MS teachings, closed with the words:
only teach what God has revealed to
me What wrong. then, do 1 commit"
Castolius orders the apostles arrest to
paclfy the people. During the following
night Theckle escaped from her home
Drlbes the jailer, is led into the presence of
Paul sits at his feet and kisses his letters
After few days Paul is led into the
court, and the multitude again shouts: "He
Is wizard; off with him to execution"
Inc Governor thought best to have Paul
scourged and banished from the city.
"hlle the trial of the apostle was still
proceeding, Castolius took occa IN to re-
mind Thecla in severe terms of her duty
70 her lover When the maiden did not
answer to this, but, as though enrap-
tured, kept gazing intently at Paul, her
1lQtleF.
sake with her who forgets her duty
DurH the foe of marriage in the circus:
tHeh all women will De set a terrible
Example. So the populace drags its vic
YIN TO the circus Thecla is disrobed
ana paced upon the stake, but as the
names were enveloping the pile an earth
quake made the walls tremble, a torrent
1 1S from the skies, and in the tumult
IuecIa escapes from the town. On that
-o1u IN an empty tomb she meets Paul
ana ms friend, who meanwhile, had been
eNpeHed from the city. WHITTIER thou
80 l VIII 60" she says to the apostle,
~ pegs MIN TO haptiZe her, a petition
"nie0 Paul for the moment declines. Thus
Icy wander TO Antioch, in Syria
ere prominent and rich citizen falls
al 'oVe with Thecla at first sight Not
euOceeolng in his attempt TO purchase her
I'm raul for o large sum of money he
''s 10 take the maiden by force In her
u5spalr she tears his robe and throws The,
wreath which he wore as a sub-governor
- syria to the ground. For this crime
ne court sentenced her to be thrown to
~ "Ha beasts of the circus, Tryphaina, a
Lta,g related TO the imperial family, who
, tau Just lost her daughter by death, took
Ivy on Ihecla. and upon the Governors
ieIinisslon, took her TO her residence and
iH,opI her for the days preceding her pub
e tig execution, for this even her great in
'GenGe was unable to prevent
70 Ihecla was taken to the circus. and
a. 90 lue women of Antioch, although full
81 compassion and tears, assembled in the
nast building. A lioness first appeared
~, NJ inc arena, but, instead Of harming
,tteti3' she projected her against the
"'her beasts until she herself was attack