The Martyr of the Catacombs

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Unknown. The Martyr of the Catacombs

CHAPTER I. THE COLISEUM

CHAPTER II. THE PRETORIAN CAMP

CHAPTER III. THE APPIAN WAY

CHAPTER IV. THE CATACOMBS

CHAPTER V. THE CHRISTIAN'S SECRET

CHAPTER VI. THE CLOUD OF WITNESSES

CHAPTER VII. THE CONFESSION OF FAITH

CHAPTER VIII. LIFE IN THE CATACOMBS

CHAPTER IX. THE PERSECUTION

CHAPTER X. THE ARREST

CHAPTER XI. THE OFFER

CHAPTER XII. POLLIO'S TRIAL

CHAPTER XIII. THE DEATH OF POLLIO

CHAPTER XIV. THE TEMPTATION

CHAPTER XV. LUCULLUS

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It was a great festival day in Rome. From all quarters vast numbers of people came pouring forth to one common destination. Over the Capitoline Hill, through the Forum, past the Temple of Peace and the Arch of Titus and the imperial palace; on they went till they reached the Coliseum, where they entered its hundred doors and disappeared within.

There a wonderful scene presented itself. Below, the vast arena spread out, surrounded by the countless rows of seats which rose to the top of the outer wall, over a hundred feet. The whole extent was covered with human beings of every class and every age. So vast an assemblage gathered in such a way, presenting to view long lines of stern faces, ascending far on high in successive rows, formed a spectacle which has never elsewhere been equaled, and which was calculated beyond all others to awe the soul of the beholder. More than one hundred thousand people were gathered here, animated by one common feeling, and incited by one single passion. It was the thirst for blood which drew them hither, and nowhere can we find a sadder commentary on the boasted civilization of ancient Rome than this her own greatest spectacle.

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But he was firm. Unarmed, he advanced toward the African, whom he could have slain even then with a blow of his fist. The face of the African was like that of a fiend. Surprise, joy, and triumph gleamed in his sinister eyes. Seizing his sword in a firm grasp, he struck Macer to the heart.

"Lord Jesus receive my spirit–" The words were drowned in a torrent of blood, and this humble but bold witness for Christ passed away from earth to join the noble army of martyrs.

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