Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-06-10

the chagrin of Balak, pronounced q
blessing upon that ancient people,
and some persons who have read GER
tain tatheistieal or agt1osic books,
realize that such are more apt to
make the convictions of believers IN
holy writ firmer than ever. People
Of this class will recall to mind a
book which appeared nearly half a
century ago, entitled "Ecce Homo
intended BY the writer, a noted Eng
lish scholar, to show that the Author
Of Christianity was simply a man
and in no wise celestial messen;
ger to this sin-tossed earth. Many
after reading the book, were more
firmly convinced than ever that the
Man of Galilee was all He claimed
to. be.
We have recently read another
book under less classical heading,
also written by an English scholar,
in which the author attempts to make
sport of things held sacred by 9TH
ers. Among his observations are the
some which paint pictures OF
Christianity in it's primary state, and
before it walked in its silver slippers:
They carry us back to ancient Rome
when it cost something to be Chris
tian. A glimpse of cnose days Will
be food in due season to many to-
day who often struggle against great
odds in attempting to follow in the
strait and narrow path, although it
is presented by man who had no
part or lot in the heavenly calling.
In the wee sma' hours of the night
when the streets of ancient Rome
were deserted save by young gallants
Keeling home from a debauch, break
ing the noses of the street statues.
men and women stole forth from
their various houses and with man
ties covering their faces, fastened to
lonely spot in the suburbs and en-.
tered the mouth of a dark cave. They
passed through long galleries, moist
with damp and odorous of death. for
collins were ranged on either side in
tiers one above the other. But soon
sweet music sounded from the depths
of the abyss; and an open chamber
came TO view, and a tomb covered
with flowers, laid out with a repast.
cncircled by men anc women, VINO
were appareled in white robes, and
who sang psalm of joy. 1t was ip
the catacombs of Rome where the
dead had been buried in the ancient
times that the Christians met to
discourse on the progress OF the
faith; to recount the trials which they
suffered in their homes; to confess to
one another their sins and doubts.
or their lack of faith; and also &c
relate their sweet visions OF the
night, the answers to their earnest
prayers. They listened to the exhor-
tations of their elders, and perhaps
to a. letter from one Of the apostles,
and kissed one another when the love
feast was concluded. At these meet
ings there were no distinctions OF
rank; the high-born lady placed her
self upon the level with the slave
whom she had once scarcely re-
garded as man. Humility and sub
mission were the cardinal virtues OF
the early Christians. These disciples
saw their fathers and mothers, their
sisters and their dearest friends hur-
irving on to destruction unconscious
of danger, laughing and singing, lur'
cd on by the plantoms they called the
gods. They felt as we would feel
were we " SIT a Dllliu man waning,
towards a river bank. Who would
have the heart 20 turn aside and say
it was the business of the police to
| Interfere? But what was death, a
mere momcntary pain compared with
tortures that would have no end?
| Who that could hone to save soul
by tears and supplications would re-
! main n,,in"' .-.C as men do now, shrue-
! ging their shoulders and saying that
+ it is not good taste to argue on re-
ligion, and that conversion is the OF
| flee of the clergy? The Christians OF
that period felt more and did more
! than those of the present day, MOI
i because they were better men, bu1
! because they believed more.
At that age every Christian was
missionary. The soldier sought tc
win recruits for the heavenly host
the prisoner of war discoursed tt
his Persian jailer; the slave girl
whispered the gospel in the ears OF