The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-12-28
1.-THE SIGN OF TIE CROSS"
Illustrated Lecture at SUNDAYS Y. N. c. A.
Mems Meeting.

Mr.. J. Wilder Fairbanks of Boston told
in n pleasing manner and illustrated on
the screen Wilson Barretts fascinating
story OF the early Christians OF the time
OF Nero, called the Sign of the Cross
yesterday afternoon At the Y. NJ. c. A.
After the singing, prayer and reading
from Heb. NJ: $40, XII: 1. 2, the speaker
gave the story which follows in condensed
FORM
one Of the most interesting stories TO
those who live in peace and prosperity Is
told by Wilson Barrett. We are going To
follow the ufe OF beautiful maiden
named Mercia, who lived In Nero's time
with an aged friend some distance away
from the Roman forum. Marcus, the pre-
feet, with beautiful home. had been
able to keep away from the orgies or
Nero. and he was disliked for this reason
by Tigellinus, Nero's councillor. Nero
had made a huge raft and sailed In IL
with mis- queen, Poppaea. She, In turn.
had come 10 be I'm love with Marcus, ana
so with Nero caused him 10 converse
about his opinions at the time when
Rome burst into flames
He then pictured spies creeping up and
10 hear two old men speak They later
see a sign OF the cross made by these
men and have them arrested. dense
crowd gathers dragging a gray-haired
old man and shouting, Death TO the
Christians!" when Mercia comes and
throws herself before the captives.
Just then Marcus meets the mob with
soldiers and clears the road He has seen
and fallen I'm love with Mercia. and, after
conversation lets her go. but he sends
someone to find out where she lives.
Tigellinus appears with orders and
Ia rraan n a.
stroy the Christians. Marcus later meets
Mercia, who is with a little lad. Stepha-
nus. and seeks TO attend her, but Tfgel-
linus comes around a corner and accuses
Mercia concerning her faith, so Mercia Is
just sent away.
Stephanus was captured. put In dun
geon, brought before Tigellinus, question
ed. tortured with whip and rack, until,
half-conscious he gave the time and
place of meeting. but not the names or
the Christians. Marcus hearing OF this
hasteus 10 rescue Stephanus and takes
him away, bent on saving Mercia.
The Christians having changed their
place OF meeting to grove, and there the
men from Tigellinus approach and hear a
hymn and they rush upon them shouJng,
Kill"
Marcus with his guards stays the
slaughter but he takes Mercia as his
prisoner TO his palace.
Berenls hearing this consults Poppaea.
who In her jealousy cajoles Caesar into
helping TO kill Mercia. Meantime Marcus
seeks conversation with the maiden. and
he hears her story OF the Christ. As he
listens. ne contrasts this new religion
with his own and favors the former. es-
pecially when the room is as IL miracu-
lously lighted up by sign.
Tigellnus comes and arrests Mercia and
takes her 60 the prison.
This leads Marcus TO plead to Nero for
Mercia. though I'm the presence Of Berenis
and Poppaea. and. while he had some
influence with Nero he received, a mega
tive answer from the queen.
The Christians marched with prayer 10
meet their death. stephanus falters.
young and wounded as he is. but Mercias
courage seems to inspire the boy. and he
too passes out. But Marcus has entered TO
save Mercia II she Will renounce her re-
ligion. Strange wooing in this cell OF the
condemned she loves him. but she will
not live and deny Him who died for her
Tigclinus comes and hears the maids de-
cision but Mercla SAYS, II cling 10 Him
and die" as her farewell.
Marcus hesitates, but. her faith en-
wrapping him. ne too Is ready 20 die with
her lie sent Tigellnus 10 tell Nero that
C'hristus had conquered and hand In hand
thew went forth 90 he ushered into the
presence OF the one above. "perhars
these words may insrire someone 20 60
forth 20 do more work for the Master
Next SUNDAY az o'clock the LAWYER
evangelist G NJ Hunt of -finneapolis Is
90 be The sneaker aud nii mon are invited.