Year: 1879

voice of mocking laughter mounted again
to my ears, and the soldiers took me and
dragged me into this gloomy cave. Look
now, Akiba [ have done everything
that is evil, whilst you have only done
what is good and proper in the eyes of
God and man, and still the same thing
happens to both of us. Tell me now,
can there be just God in the heavens
above? I only wish for one thing, and
that is to see Rufus death, for then 1
also would die joyfully.''


Rabbi Akiba exclaimed


Now I would gladly die, in order
that my eyes might no longer behold such
a terrible traitor and murderer"


At the same moment the keeper of
the prison entered, in order to lead Rab-
bi Akiba to the place of his death.
With beaming countenance and joyful
heartdid the venerable sage walk towards
that fearful place, where many Jews had
already assembled at the command Of
Rufus, and also at the desire Of Rabbi
Akiba, so that they might see how he
sanctiied the name of HIsraePs God.
Rufus and Rufna also. came to see the
terrible sight, many of the high aristo-
Gratis, the kings officers and the heather
priests had also come there. The high
priest of Jupiter's temple whispered
few words into Rufus ear, when Rufus
turned his countenance towards Rabbi
Akiba and said :


Listen to me, old mani if you will
worship our gods, like all tIae Romans,
then you shall live and pogdess honor,
power, and wealth.


But Rabbi Akiba laughe) alss
at his words and replied


How can bestow the Onor due to
the true God upon imagesA made by
mans hand ? I gladly die for the sane
tifcation of God AlmightyIs name, for
the honor of the God of Israel, in order
that my death may remove His anger
from His nation and heritage, and to
show my people that the holy Law which
our God gave unto us is the greatest and
highest good of our life! Come here, ye
executioners and do as yon have been
commanded"


The executioners approached him and
took off all his garments, uhtil he was
naked. they then bound him To an iron pill
lar, and with curry combs gradually tore
his flesh, IN order to prolongshis fearful
agonies All the Jews turned away
their eyes, and wept loudly md bitterly
for his terrible fate; but the holy Rabbi
Akiba did not even utter adEy of pain
he only lifted his eyes to heafen and ex-
claimed


Hear, o Israel the Etd fnal is our
God, the Eternal is one!


These words of the livingf rod he re-
peated again and again, un1 his pure
and holy soul left his torn ALL bleeding
body. A solemn silence reign& through
the place of slaughter, when uddenly a
deadly scream proceeded froA the dun
geon which was near to that pace That
voice was the last living sounsAof Papus,
who was strangled by exec1foners at
that moment by Rufus command. Ru-
fus took cup of wine from he hands
of Rufna his wife, and exclaimed


L will drink this wine to he down
fall of the rebellious Jews"


He drank the wine with joY but fell
dead upon the ground, for theawine had
been drugged with deadly poison which
kills instantly. This had beenprepared
by Rufna his wife, who being in love
with Severus, the General Of tue Roman
army, thought it best to banishlher hus-
band from the face of the eartH.
X X %x# X


But in heaven above the aeraphim
wept, and the angels of peace dried bit
terly:


oh God, Righteous Judga! shall
the righteous die like the wicked, and
shall there be no distinction bet&een the
good and the bad ?"