No. 3. EARLY WITNESSES. We have sometimes thought that if it fell to our lot to direct the enquiries of a candid sceptic, the first thing we would do, after he had read the New Testament itself, should be to induce him to study the Early History of Christianity. For there he would find repeated on a larger scale, and in a more impressive style, than ever before, the grand old miracle of the bush burning, yet unconsumed; in other words, of a church against which was directed, for several centuries, all the fury of the most powerful empire of the world, yet retaining its existence, extending, strengthening itself, and even finding in the means which were used to crush it, and which must have crushed it had it been otherwise than divine, agencies to advance it still further on its way, and to prepare it for further opposition. We have already seen something of the opposition which was directed against it by those who lived in the days of its Founder and his immediate successors; and we have remarked the heroism which must have been needed and exercised by those who adhered to a system so novel and so despised, and which exposed its professors to so much bitter trial and cruel persecution.* Though we have now come down to a somewhat later period, the same opposition, only perhaps more general, continues to meet us; and while it is true that much in the records needs, as do all records containing martyrologies, to be read with some degree of suspicion, there is yet enough that is indubitable to convince us of the trials and sorrows associated with the pro- . fession of Christianity in those days, and especially of the nobleness and heroism of those to whom were then committed the "oracles of God."

About forty years had elapsed since the martyrdom of Paul, and several years probably since the death of the last of the apostles, when the well-known correspondence took place between Pliny at Bithynia and the emperor Trajan at Rome. Though that correspondence evinces a degree of moderation on the part of the emperor which did not characterise subse

quent reigns, it clearly proves that the prejudices against Christianity which had led to the persecutions of Nero and Domitian still existed in all their force; and it was so far unfortunate for the Christians, that it legalized a persecution which had before been prompted rather by wild passion and priestly rage. Accordingly, we find that great numbers were doomed to martyrdom in all parts of the Roman empire; amongst others are handed down to us the names of Simeon, who was crucified at Jerusalem, and Ignatius, who was thrown to wild beasts in the amphitheatre of Rome and the same persecution continued, sometimes indeed for a time moderated and repressed, until the days of the emperor Marcus Aurelius. At this time, notwithstanding the dangers which attended the profession of Christianity, it must have spread very widely, and have included a vast number amongst its disciples; so much that, for political and religious reasons alone, the emperor seems to have committed himself to a most determined effort to crush it.

It is scarcely possible for us to realise, in days like these, what was required in the man who was heroic enough to profess Christianity then. No worldly position, no amount of wealth or influence, was sufficient to shield him from the fury of the persecutor. Even the emperor's dearest friends, and those of his household, shared the same fate as the meanest in the crowd. They were dragged from their houses, hunted in their hiding-places, exposed to the most cruel and ingenious tortures,all ages and both sexes were alike subjected to the fury of the people and of their rulers and priests. And yet it is marvellous to see with what calmness and composure they submitted to this literally "fiery trial." Each day left their number smaller than the previous one, but still the majority maintained unshaken their allegiance to truth and God. With few exceptious, they did not even seek to escape from their persecutors, but waited their coming with calmness, saying, "The will of the Lord be done." When brought before the tribunal

of the emperor or his officers, and offered life and liberty if they would recant, "Tempt me not; I am a Christian," was their reply. To quote from a document ascribed to the church at Smyrna, "The magnanimity of the Christians, their patience, their love to the Lord, called forth the admiration of all; though torn with whips till the frame and structure of their bodies were laid open even to their veins and arteries, they yet meekly endured; so that those who stood around pitied them and wept. But such was their fortitude, that none of them uttered a sigh or a groan. The fire of their savage tormentors was cold to them, for they kept steadily in view the eternal fire from which they were delivered; they thought, too, of the things reserved for those who endure, which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive.'"'

Among those who suffered in these dark days was Polycarp, of Smyrna. Who has not heard of Polycarp ? The disciple and friend of the apostle John, whom in spirit he seems much to have resembled; and supposed by many to have been he to whom the words were addressed which have cheered and encouraged so many sorrowing ones since his day, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." The narrative of Polycarp's death is peculiarly affecting. On being brought before the proconsul, he was addressed, "Swear, and I will release thee; reproach Christ." Polycarp said, "Eighty and six years have I served him, and he hath done me no harm; how, then, can I reproach my King-my Saviour?" "I have wild beasts," said the proconsul. "Call them," said the martyr. "I will tame thy spirit with fire, unless thou repent." "The fire which thou threatenest burns for a moment, and is soon extinguished: hast thou never heard of a future judgment, and of eternal fire?" When placed at the stake, the executioners offered to bind him; "No," he said, "God, who has given me strength hitherto, will support me still." "I bless thee, O God, that this day and hour thou

hast counted me worthy to be one of thy martyrs," said he, and the fire was lighted. "Wherefore," he added, unmoved, "I praise thee for all things,-I bless thee, I glorify thee, by Jesus Christ, through whom be glory to thee both now and ever."

But Polycarp's is not the only name that these persecutions have left us. Justin, commonly called the Martyr, was tortured and then beheaded, but a short time before: Germanicus, a young christian of great magnanimity and heroism, was thrown to the lions just before the martyrdom of Polycarp: at Lyons and Vienne, Pothinus, a man of ninety years, infirm with old age and sickness, was cast into prison, where he died; Ponticus, a youth of fifteen, and Blandina, a girl of sixteen, after enduring almost unheard-of tortures, were cast to wild beasts-the latter is said to have been enclosed in a net, and thrown to a bull; Sanctus, a deacon of the church at Vienne, was tormented with red-hot plates, which so mutilated his body that it had lost all human shape before he died; and at Autun, near Lyons, a young christian, named Symphorian, was led to execution, his mother encouraging him with a heroism more than Spartan, and saying," This day, my son, thou losest not thy life, but exchangest it for a better."

Many more illustrious names might be added to these.

"They lived unknown, Till persecution dragged them into fame, And chased them up to heaven. Their ashes flew, No marble tell us whither."

But they are of those to whom "white robes" are given; and all tears are now wiped from their eyes. Let the world forget their names, and let all record of them be blotted from the page of history! Their deeds are enrolled in a more enduring volume than any that earth can furnish, and in higher worlds they talk of their heroism, even if we do not!

"Think'st thou that they remain unknown,

Whom thou know'st not?

By angel trumps in heaven their praise is blown;
Divine their lot!"

(To be concluded in our next.)

"ALL FOR THE BEST."

A STAGE-COACH INCIDENT.

As the train stopped at one of the interior

towns of V-, at the station, an unusual number of passengers stopped to go in the coach, across the country to some adjoining

towns. Amidst the hurry of the throng, and trouble of luggage, an old man, of mild and pleasing countenance, dressed as a farmer, walked backwards and forwards, his hands crossed at his back. As the cry of "Want a cab? want a coach?" resounded with other like sounds, he continued his pace, threading his way in and out among the throng, apparently intent alone upon his thoughts.

As the sound," Coach for P-all ready," was heard, he made his way to the vehicle, and after looking to see if the luggage was all right, he took his seat in the coach, with his back to the horses. The occupants of the carriage, when he entered, were three ladies upon the back seat, one young gentleman of about thirty years old, and two boys of from five to eleven years old, on the seat with him. The ladies upon the back seat were two gentle looking girls and an old lady.

The coach was soon in motion, and the weather being rather chilly, the passengers appeared to find enough to do to keep themselves comfortable without talking. There had been a heavy fall of snow during the night, and the carriage moved at times very slowly; at other times the horses appeared to wake up, and the bells sounded merrily in the clear air. After travelling near five miles, the old lady, having been to appearance asleep, aroused up, and asked in rather a petulant tone, "Why they went so slow?" Her voice seemed to attract the attention of the old gentleman, and he glanced at her for a moment, and hastily drew his cap down over his eyes (for he wore a thick fur cap), and pulled his coat collar up over his ears and chin, with a peculiar look of drollery and amusement. Her question was answered, and one word leading to another, there soon was heard quite a cheerful run of conversation, with all, save the old man and the two boys. It seemed a pleasure to the old lady, to have some one to vent her unpleasant feelings upon; for she was cold and hungry, although comfortably clad. She was not in the habit of travelling alone, as she called it, and was apparently weary of all about her.

"Why are you travelling alone, madam?" enquired the young man.

"Because I am alone," she answered. "Then you live alone, do you, when you are at home?

The old lady looked at the young man, as

if such a question was rather a rude one, and hesitated to answer.

"Perhaps you do not understand the question," said one of the girls; "he asked if you live alone, as you say you are alone." "I hear, I hear, I know what he said; I was wondering how he came to ask such a question, and concluded it was from something I had said or done wrong, and was thinking what it was. I am old, tired, and weary, and forgot myself, and was vexed because I was alone, and was tired; but I was wrong, children; I believe everything is for the best, though I have not shewn it."

Then, after all," said the young man, you believe it is for the best for you to be vexed and out of patience, do you?"

"I said no such thing, young man; I said I believed all things in Providence were for the best."

"But you said everything, so of course everything about the ride and your feelings, is for the best."

"Perhaps you are right; because the present impatience will lead me to watch more carefully for the future."

Just at this moment the horses were startled at something at the side of the road, and, becoming ungovernable, the coach was upset, and the horses freeing themselves, left the passengers to get along the best they could. The driver was not materially injured, and was able to assist those inside. None were much hurt, saye the young man, whose arm was badly broken in two places. As soon as they were all extricated from the coach, the young man being in great distress mockingly said, Well, old lady, is this for the best? Here am I hundreds of miles from home, in this condition, and not a friend to call upon; strange doctrine, yours!"

"I think myself this is little too streng language, Mary, at this time, for how can it be for the best? I know it is a favourite theme with you, but I much doubt it," said the old man.

The old lady (whom we shall call Mrs. Chase) looked at the speaker with amazement. "Why, Mr. Chase, how came you here? This, certainly, is for the best."

"We are almost home," said Mr. Chase, "let us walk the short distance, and the driver and I can help the young man to walk to our home; and soon, 1 trust, we shall have sufficient aid to set his bones, and, may be, soon cure him."