nies which were eagerly propagated against respecting Agricola-"A good man you them. would readily have judged him to be, and would rejoice to find that he was a great man."

Whilst Polycarp continued in Rome, he became engaged in a much more important controversy; and his labors appear to have been attended with considerable benefit to the cause of Christianity. The heresy of Marcion was at that time prevalent in the city; and several persons who had once made a profession of the true faith, were seduced by it. In the meantime, Marcion, in order to give weight to his sentiments, endea

ple, that there was an agreement in doctrines between himself and Polycarp. It is not surprising that Marcion should make such an attempt, or that Polycarp should consider as his duty to use the most decisive measures to disclose the falsehood of the heretic.

About the year 158, Polycarp travelled to Rome to hold a conference with Anicetus, the bishop of that see, respecting the time of keeping Easter. It is singular that a circumstance of so little importance in itself should, at so early a period, and during the times of persecution, have excited so much interest in the Christian world. The one party were of opinion that it should be observed like the Jewish Passover, as a fixed feast at the full moon; the other contended that it should be considered as a moveable festival, and that it should be observed on the Lord's day follow-vored to insinuate into the minds of the peoing. Each party procured their own practice from apostolical tradition: Anicetus, and the generality of the Western Churches, favored the latter practice; Polycarp, and the Eastern Churches, the former. It is not improba-it ble that they were both in the right as to fact; it being the known practice of the apostles to become all things to all men in matters of indifference, and to comply with the customs of every place they came to, as far as they innocently could. Hence Polycarp might have known that St. John, out of this prudential compliance, kept Easter upon one day at one place, and Anicetus might be equally certain that St. Peter observed it upon another day at another place, for the same reason. The error then here committed was a mistake in judgment, and not in fact a disproportioned and excessive zeal in a matter not worth contending for.

But though Polycarp and Anicetus still retained their predilection for their former opinions, they felt and manifested a sincere regard for each other's character; and each agreed to observe his own custom without any breach of Christian charity. In token of their attachment to each other being unaltered, they communicated together at the Holy Sacrament, whilst Anicetus, to show his respect and affection for Polycarp, insisted on his consecrating the elements. Indeed, the amiable spirit of our Asiatic bishop seems insensibly to have excited the love of the beholder, before he knew how much reason there was to admire him. To apply the beautiful observation which Tacitus makes

By this time, the venerable subject of this narrative was very far advanced in years; but he still seemed to possess all the energy of youth. His zeal in his Divine Master's cause indeed knew no abatement to the hour of his martyrdom. The portrait which the pen of inspiration has drawn of the venerable Jewish legislator, His eye was not dim,. nor his natural force abated," was not more characteristic of the aged Moses than of the aged Polycarp.

The whole reign of Marcus Antoninus, or, as he is frequently called, Aurelius, was a most afflictive season to the Church of God. This emperor was a virulent persecuter of the Christians; and it cannot even be said, in extenuation of his crime, that he oppressed them through ignorance of their moral character. He knew them, and yet he hated them; and, so far from treating them with the least commiseration, he encouraged his savage magistrates to torture them in the most cruel manner. The heart sickens in recounting the miseries he deliberately inflicted on the helpless sufferers, and turns away with disgust from the royal persecutor and his cruel assassins.

It may at first appear remarkable that an emperor, who is celebrated by historians for his virtues and accomplishments, should have

manifested such an unrelenting enmity to the most harmless of his subjects. But we behold in him a character by no means singular; a self-righteous moralist, puffed up with pride and a sense of his own attainments; and from this very circumstance feeling a peculiar hatred to the humiliating doctrines of the Gospel.

The stoical philosophy, indeed, of this emperor had a direct tendency to increase his prejudices against Christianity and its faithful votaries. Did he hear that the Christians encountered every sort of torment unappalled, it was attributed by him to no better principle than that of sullen and irrational obstinacy; or was he informed that they closed their lives in fervent prayer and praise, this he considered as merely bombastic and ostentations parade; far different from the magnanimous silence and calm dignity with which his favorite philosophers would meet their fate. In short, the very sentiments of Aurelius account for his being little affected with the sufferings of the martyrs. According to his own principles, he ought not to have been moved at all.

heartened by the fury of his enemies, nor hurried on by undue zeal to present himself before them. Cleansed by the blood of Christ, and eminently possessed of that faith which overcometh the world, this aged Christian might, with strict propriety, adopt that language which, applied to Cato, is replete with ignorance and pride:

"Let guilt or fear

Disturb man's rest, Cato knows neither of them,
Indifferent in his choice to sleep or die."

At length the populace crying out-" Take away the Atheist: let Polycarp be sought for;" he was induced by the entreaties of his people, to retire to a village at no great distance, where, with a few friends, he was engaged day and night, in earnest supplication for the Church of Christ.

The venerable saint had now weathered many storms of persecution; and might, perhaps, suppose that the same Providence that had so long preserved his valuable life, would also deliver him from this impending calamity, and finally remove him to himself by the gradual decays of nature. But the days of man are numbered by a wise and gracious God, and the manner of his death overruled by the same Almighty Being. He was now nearly at the end of his pilgrimage, and was about to close a long and valuable life by an honorable martyrdom.

Three days previous to his death, Polycarp was favored with a vision whilst engaged in prayer, in which it was figuratively represented to him that he should be burnt alive. The place of his retreat was extorted from a young man of his household, and his enemies immediately afterwards entered his dwelling. As he was, however, at that time lying down in an upper room, connected with the flat roof of the house, he might still have

For some time before the martyrdom of Polycarp, persecution raged around him in its most terrific forms. Numbers were torn with whips till their very veins and arteries were laid open; others were condemned to be devoured by wild beasts; and others, placed upon the shells of sea-fish, were exposed to the most exquisite torments. In short, every step was taken, and every species of cruelty resorted to, that might have a tendency to induce the Christians to deny their Saviour. One who witnessed the persecution observes-" Much did Satan contrive against them; but, thanks to God, without effect." So supported, indeed, were they by the grace of Christ during their bit-possibly escaped them. But he now deemed ter sufferings, that they seldom uttered a sigh or a groan. The fire of their savage tormentors was cold to them; for their only desire was to avoid that fire which is unquenchable, and to obtain those good things "which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man."

During this tremendous season, Polycarp "in patience possessed his soul," neither dis

it his duty no longer to avoid their scrutiny; thinking that he could not give a nobler testimony to his uprightness and confidence in God, than by showing to the world that these were a sufficient security to him in whatever dangers he might be involved. No sooner, therefore, had he heard that his enemies were at hand, than he calmly exclaimed, “The will of the Lord be done," and with a com

posed countenance entered into their presence. (aged martyr immediately replied," Eighty The advanced age of Polycarp, and the and six years have I served him, and he sanctity of his appearance, sensibly impressed hath never wronged me; how then can I them. Some of them even said, "Surely it blaspheme my King and my Saviour!" is not worth while to apprehend so old a Being still urged to recant, he added, “If rnan!" In the meantime, the martyr cour-you affect ignorance of my real character, teously ordered refreshment to be set before them; and, having obtained permission to engage in prayer, he stood in the midst of them, and prayed aloud with remarkable fervor and devotion for two successive hours. The spectators were astonished at the scene; and many of them repented that they were

come to seize so divine a character.

hear me plainly declare what I am—I am a Christian." "I have wild beasts:" said the proconsul, "I will expose you to them, unless "Call them," cried the martyr ;

you repent."

we Christians are determined in our minds not to change from good to evil." "I will tame your spirit by fire," said the other, “since you despise the wild beasts, if you will not As soon as he had ended his devotions, in recant." "You threaten me with fire," anwhich he had referred to the Church in gen-swered Polycarp, "which burns for an hour; eral, and to various individuals that were but you are ignorant of the future judgment, personally known to him, his guards set him and of the fire of eternal punishment, reon an ass, and led him towards the city. served for the ungodly. But why do you Whilst on the road, they were met by Herod, delay? Do what you please." the Irenarch, or keeper of the peace, and his father, Nicetas, who took him into their chariot, and for some time, by promises and threatening, endeavored to induce him to sacrifice to the heathen gods. Finding, at length, that he remained unmoved, they abused the good old man, and then cast him down from the chariot with such violence that his thigh At first, the populace desired that a lion was severely bruised by the fall. He, how-should be let out against him; but, as this ever, cheerfully went on with his guards to could not then conveniently be done, as the the stadium, as though unhurt. As he was shows of wild beasts were ended, they cried entering the assembly, a voice from heaven out with one voice, " Polycarp shall be burnt is said to have addressed him : "Be strong, alive!" The sentence was executed with Polycarp, and behave yourself like man!" all possible speed: for the people immediateNone saw the speaker, but many that werely gathered fuel from the work-shops and present heard the voice. When he was brought before the tribunal, the proconsul, struck with his appearance, earnestly exhorted him to pity his advanced age, to swear by the fortune of Cæsar, and to say, "Away with the Atheists," a term of reproach then commonly attached to the Christians. The Everything being at length prepared for saint, with his hand directed to the multitude, burning him, the executioners were proceedand his eyes lifted up to heaven, with a sol-ing to nail him to the stake, when he exclaimemn countenance, said, "Away with theed, "Let me remain as 1 am; for he who Atheists;" thereby intimating his fervent desire that true religion might prosper, and impiety be restrained. The proconsul still arged him to apostatize. Reproach Christ," said he, "and 1 will immediately release you." Fired with a holy indignation, the

Firm and intrepid, he stood before the council, not only contemning, but even desirous of death. In the meantime, the proconsul was evidently embarrassed; but at length he sent a herald to proclaim thrice in the assembly, "Polycarp has professed himself a Christian."

baths, the poor infatuated Jews distinguishing themselves in this employment with peculiar malice. In the meantime, the martyr cheerfully awaited his fate, fearing neither death nor the horrible form in which it was now presented to him.

giveth me strength to sustain the fire, will enable me also, without being secured by nails, to remain unmoved in the fire." They therefore only bound him.

Polycarp then offered up the following prayer-"O Lord God Almighty, the Father

of thy beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, of all who are saved of the human race, or ever to worship any other. We adore him, as being the Sox or GoD; but we justly love the martyrs as disciples of the Lord, and for their distinguished affection to him."

through whom we have attained the knowledge of thee; the God of angels and principalities, and of every creature, and of all the just who live in thy sight! I bless thee, that thou hast vouchsafed to bring me to this day and this hour; that I should have a part in the number of thy martyrs in the cup of Christ, for the resurrection to eternal life both of soul and body, in the incorruption of the Holy Ghost; among whom may I be accepted before thee this day, as a sacrifice well savored and acceptable, as thou, the faithful and true God hast ordained, promised, and art now fulfilling. Wherefore I praise thee for all those things; I bless thee, I glorify thee, by the eternal High Priest, Jesus Christ, thy beloved Son, by whom, and with whom, in the Holy Spirit, be glory to thee both now and for ever. Amen." As soon as Polycarp had finished his prayer, the executioner lighted the fire, which blazed to a great height; and the flame making a kind of arch, like the sail of a ship filled with wind, surrounded the body of the holy martyr. One of the executioners perceiving that his body was not burned, plunged his sword into it, and then cast it down into the flames, where it was soon consumed. And now, like another Elijah, he ascended in a chariot of fire; but not without having first communicated a portion of his spirit to those around him.

Thus was the long protracted and useful life of this venerable saint at length terminated by martyrdom. Such appears to have been the serenity of his mind, that none of the accidents of life could discompose him; and such his Christian fortitude, that not even the severest punishments could unman him. Raised above the vicissitudes of this perishing world, he knew (in whom he had believed, and was willing that Christ should be magnified in his body, whether it were by life or death. In merely human acquisitions many have been his superiors; but in simplicity of character, apostolical zeal, love to the Saviour, and in every virtue that can adorn the life of a Christian, he shines resplendent,

"Velut inter ignes Luna minores."

We conclude this account with our Lord's address to the angel, or bishop, of the Church of Smyrna, who was most probably none other than this holy martyr. If so, we may regard this short epistle as a Divine epitome of his history. The poverty and eminent piety of Polycarp-the grievous persecution of the Church at Smyrna, arising from the contriThe venerable saint was martyred in the vances of Satan-the Jews persecuting and year of our Lord one hundred and sixty-misrepresenting the Christians-and, perhaps, seven, and about the hundred and twentieth the martyrdom of Polycarp, are referred to in year of his own age. Eleven Christians this epistle of our Lord.

suffered with him. "Unto the angel of the Church in SmyrAs some of the brethren, who had witness- na write: These things saith the First, and ed the martyrdom of Polycarp, were gath-the Last, which was dead, and is alive; I ering up his bones to bury them, the Jews, their inveterate enemies, suggested to the heathen magistrates that the Christians wished to pay him divine honors. Their own remark on the subject is important, as it shows that they worshipped the Lord Jesus Christ, and also that an idolatrous veneration of departed saints, so awfully prevalent in latter times, was as yet unknown in Christendom. "It is not possible," they observed, "for us to forsake Christ who suffered for the salvation

know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty (but thou art rich); and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a

crown of life."

events of one whose life I will cause thee now to notice."

ETHOUGHT an angel-one of those pure spirits who delight so much in furWhen the angel ceased, through the sweet thering the best interests soothing music of his voice, and probably also of erring men-stood by the exercise of his supernatural power, the me and admonished, the uncertain dreaming state in which I was "Son of man, beware how thou per- when he first began to address me, seemed mittest thy personal feelings and changed into the profoundest slumber; and thine own temporal--prospects or yet my faculties were never more awake. concerns to influence thy conduct By an invisible impulse, my attention was unduly, while thou art travelling onward directed to a young man of fair exterior, who towards the home and rest of God's own had received authority to be a deacon in the children. Perhaps thy chief danger lies in Church of Gon. There was noticeable, in the power which such things sometimes all he said and did, the earnest desire to be wield. Allow thyself to be controlled by useful and act well his part in his new and them, and thy ways will be devious, rough, important sphere, which could well be traced and full of thorns, and, it may be, will end into a consciousness of being newly placed in a destruction so awful that even the eyes a sphere in which very much was expected which might look at it in the distance would of him by both GoD and man. be blasted with their first perception of its there was plainly discoverable, as mingled horrors. That my admonitory words may with all his conduct, an inclination to be disthe more surely affect thy mind and profita- satisfied with the state of things about him, bly direct thee, let their lesson be corrobo- and, occasionally, what he deemed his prosrated by the experience of some of the pects. But most conspicuous was his deter

And yet