The daily sentinel., 1905-07-03
DR.. Merits Lecture

Last night at the Methodist church
DR.. Merritt delivered his magnificent
lecture, "The Catacombs of Rome"
An audience that completely filled
the church and overfiowed into the
big Sunday school room gave the
doctor the closest attention for near
ly two hours. and few there were in
the big congregation that did not
thoroughly enjoy the mastery ad-
dress and superb description of the
great catacombs.
DR.. Merritt spent two years trav-
cling in the old world, and during
a lengthy stay in the city of Rome
he made careful study and investi-
cation of the catacombs. and a more
thorough and comprehensive and en-
tertaining description and explana-
tion of these wonderful and myster-
ious underground cities could hardly
be asked for.
The catacombs were built by the
early Christians, and during the
times of prosecutions by the pagan
kings of Rome the eatacombs were
used as places of refuge by the
Christians, and their dead were bur
led in the catacombs during a per
iod of about two hundred years.
The catacombs We're excavations
made in the solid volcanic rock that
is found under the city of Rome. To
show their enormous proportions,
the doctor stated that those portions
of the catacombs that had been ex-
plored contained 5S7 geographical
miles. There were streets, alley
ways and chambers of various sizes.
The dead were placed in excavations
made in the walls and each tomb
was securely sealed. AS the walls
and floors are of solid rock. there is
no dampness and a splendid system
of ventilation was maintained.
The catacombs visited by Dr. Mer-
ritt were divided into three floors
one 20 feet below the surface, one
so feet and one so feet, connected
by stairways.
Small trap doors on the surface of
the ground give entrance to the cat
acombs.
Dr. Merritt stated that it is CON
servatively estimated that 1000
600 bodies were buried in the cata-
combs during a period of two cen
turtles, though many who have made
Investigations believe that as many
as 100000 were buried there.
The speaker told of the many in
teresting epitaphs found in the cata-
combs, and gave interpretations of
these epitaphs and the many le
gends. Nearly all of the epitaphs
spoke of the life eternal and of the
glory of God, showing that the ma
jority of those who sleep in these
mysterious and silent caravans were
Christians.
The doctor told of his trip through
the catacombs in the company of
fifteen others, guided by monk. He
let no detail pass that might be of
interest to his hearers.
Before concluding his address the
doctor told of his visit to the house
of Aquilla and Priscilla, where Saint
Paul had been entertained, and he
created much amusement by telling
of the difficulties he had in gaining
admission. He exhibited many relics
of ancient Rome.
The lecture was inspiring, as well
as interesting and instructive. 1t
was a rare treat for all who heard
it.
DR.. Merritt is an able speaker.
man of intellect and a minister of
remarkable power and his lecture
on The Catacombs of Rome" was
a most mastery effort.
Following the lecture DR.. Merritt
stated that his work as assistant pas
tor was finished, and that Rev.
Smith would again take up his du-
ties. He declared that his stay in
the city had been a happy one, and
he thanked the pastor and the con-
gregation for their support and
friendship.
Rev Smith, for himself and in be-
half of the church. feelingly thanked
DR.. Merritt for his faithful and earn
est work.
Dr.. Merritt has many warm friends
in the city-in fact. all who known
him are his friends; and his depart
ure from Grand junction is greatly
regretted.