46

am," said Justin. I follow the Christians; and their doctrine is right." "What is their doctrine ?" inquired Rusticus. "It is this," rejoined the martyr: "we believe the one

he was disappointed. Aurelius continued an implacable enemy to them; persisted in attributing their patience and heroic resolution to inveterate obstinacy, and despised alike the arguments and philosophic garb of Jus-only God to be the Creator of all things, tin; though he especially prided himself on his own philosophical attainments, and, on other occasions, manifested the greatest reverence for men of learning.

visible and invisible; and we confess our Lord Jesus Christ to be the Son of God, foretold by the ancient prophets: He is now the Saviour and Teacher of all those who

will hereafter be the Judge of mankind. As for myself, I am too mean to be able to say anything becoming his infinite Deity. This was the employment of the prophets, who, many ages ago, foretold the coming of the Son of God into the world." The prefect then asked where the Christians assembled. To which it was replied, that the God of the Christians was not confined to any particular place.

Under these circumstances, it was no diffi-humbly submit to his instructions;—and he cult matter for Crescens, who had been exceedingly incensed by the irresistible force of Justin's arguments, and still more by his reproofs of his profligacy, to render him obnoxious to the emperor. Justin, indeed, had intimated, in his last Apology, that he expected that Crescens, or some other pretended philosopher, would lay snares for his ruin; and he was not mistaken in his surmises. By the contrivance of this inveterate enemy he was thrown into prison; and, after undergoing there many preparatory tortures, he, and six of his companions, were summoned to appear before Junius Rusticus, the prefect of the city.

Rusticus then severally examined his companions; and afterwards again addressed Justin: "Hear, thou, who art celebrated for thy eloquence, and imaginest thyself to be in possession of the truth, dost thou suppose, if I cause thee to be scourged from head to foot, that thou shalt go to heaven?" "Although I suffer what you threaten," firmly replied the martyr, "yet I expect to enjoy the portion of all true believers; as I know that the divine grace and favor are laid up for all

Rusticus was a man greatly celebrated for learning and political wisdom, and for his attachment to Stoicism. He had formerly been tutor to the emperor, who always entertained the highest veneration for his instructions, especially those of a moral nature, and consulted him on all affairs, wheth-such, and shall be so while the world ener of a public or private description. But dures." "Do you think, then," inquired the what covering were these wretched fig-leaves prefect, "that you shall go to heaven, and of morality, whilst the tutor and his royal receive a reward?" "I not only think so," pupil were not clothed with the garments of he rejoined, "but I know it; and have a cersalvation, but remained the enemies of Godtainty of it, which excludes all doubt."

and his Christ!

At first the prefect attempted to persuade Justin to obey the gods, and to comply with the emperor's commands. The martyr refused; and proceeded to defend the reasonableness of his religion. The prefect then inquired respecting his education; and was told, that he had studied all kinds of philosophy and learning, but obtained satisfaction from none of them-he at last found rest in the Christian doctrine, however fashionable it might then be to despise it.

66

The prefect still insisted on their sacrificing to the gods; and, at the same time, threatened to torment them without mercy, unless they complied. "There is nothing we more sincerely desire," exclaimed Justin, "than to endure tortures for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to be saved. For this will promote our happiness, and give us confidence before the awful tribunal of our Lord and Saviour, before which God hath appointed the whole world to appear."

How animating and glorious are the prosWretch!" replied the indignant prefect,pects of real believers, who, like Justin, live art thou captivated by that religion?" "I up to, and experience all the consolations of

of

Justin Martyr suffered about the year our Lord 167. He does not appear to have assumed the ecclesiastical character; notwithstanding, he was always actively engaged in the cause of Christ.

the Christian dispensation! It is their peculiar privilege, not to confine their views of an eternal existence to the indistinct and fluctuating glimpses of philosophical vision; but, with a hope full of immortality, to pierce directly to those blessed regions, where a We behold in Justin an illustrious monugracious God and Saviour has prepared for, ment of divine grace, and a bright ornament them "an inheritance incorruptible, and un-of our religion. The love of truth was the defiled, and that fadeth not away."

The rest, having expressed their assent to what Justin had said, added, "Despatch quickly your purpose: we are Christians, and cannot sacrifice to idols!"

The prefect then pronounced upon them the following sentence:-"Let these men, who refuse to sacrifice to the gods and to obey the imperial edicts, be first scourged, and afterwards beheaded according to the laws!"

The holy martyrs were then led back to prison, rejoicing and blessing God; and shortly afterwards were severely scourged, and then beheaded.

predominant passion of his soul: for this he was content to sacrifice every wordly consideration, and to meet death in all the horrors of martyrdom. From the period of his conversion to the termination of his life, he declined no dangers to promote the best interests of his fellow-creatures; and steadily consecrated his time, his talents, and his learning, to the suppression of sin and infidelity, and the promotion of piety and benevolence. We behold in Justin the gentleman, the scholar, and the Christian;-a rare example of that excellence in which the brilliant endowments of nature are happily blended with the supernatural gifts of grace.

And then I'll ask the angel

To take me back to youHe'll bring me slow and steadily Down through the ether blue.

And you'll only think, dear mother,
I have been out at play,
And have gone to sleep beneath a tree,
This sultry summer day.

A SUMMER'S DREAM.

Once more he smiled as he turned to finhis task of examination.

One little girl had as yet been silent. She was small and dull, and 1 had passed her

over.

"Nona," said he, "what remark have you for me to day?"

NE day I set forth to pay the scene, while my friend continued to quesa visit to a friend. It was tion one set of children on a chapter out of in the summer-time, and the Gospels. At length, tired with gazing all was bright and fair. around, I listened to what was going on near The birds were singing me. The chapter was that containing the around me; the bees were buzzing Beatitudes. Each child had to make some abroad, industriously culling their remark on the verse that came to his turn, winter's honey; the butterflies were and each child seemed to surpass the last in out dancing gaily among the flowers the wisdom and beauty of his replies and in the hedges; and even man looked similitudes. "What seriousness, what goodhappy in his work, as the scattered hay flewness, what knowledge of Scripture, is here!" from busy hands on all sides. I walked, too, said I; " surely, my friend, your lot is a upon a carpet of sweet flowers, which with a favored one." delicious perfume scented the air through which I passed. Thus everything seemed gayish and pleasant as well as busy, and I felt in a good humor with myself and all the world. My friend, too, whom I visited, was not one to make me feel less contented; and after a pleasant discourse with him, over a very simple repast, which was welcome after my long, sultry walk, he led me to his village school. How orderly and how complete it was! A lovely garden-a picturesque building, with thatch and veranda-a clever and pleasant master and mistress-the fairest, brightest-faced children, h gentle manners and modest smiles;-I thought there was nothing else to with for-all was good and perfect! They brought up the children before me, and heard them many things; there seemed nothing they did not know and understand. I turned to my friend and the teachers, and I said, "Your place is perfect, and the children worthy of it. You can have nothing more to wish." They all three looked at each other and smiled, and I saw satisfaction and delight painted on their countenances. I stood silent, still surveying

Nona hung her head and blushed.

What, not one, Nona? you always have one for me," continued my friend more loudly.

Nona raised her head, and repeated the words "Love is the fulfilling of the law." She then cast her eyes down again, and looked as heavy as before.

"What a difference from the rest!" said I to my friend. "How heavy, how stupid is that child! How is it she has not caught some of the thought and poetry of her companions?"

"She always gives such answers," replied my friend; "she lives and thrives upon such texts."

"But what is her meaning?" said I. "Surely she is senseless ?"

"Not so," returned he; "she cannot enter

into all things. She only knows, or rather feels, that to love is to obey, and by such words she expresses her feeling. She is deaf."

"Poor child!" said I, compassionately; "no wonder then she cannot be equal to the rest. Poor child! Can nothing be done to improve her?"

66

hand across my eyes. "What is this?” cried I, amazed. The children are changed! Their very gar

Where is their beauty?

ments are faded and tattered. There is but
one fair child among them, and she I have
not seen. She is clothed in robes of silver,
and bright jewels adorn her forehead."
"Gaze on," said my conductor: "in a
short space your memory will return."
I found he was right: presently I recog-

The bell now rang, and in beautiful order the fair children rose and left the room. I also with regret began to take my depart-nised every individual of the group as those ure, and my friend accompanied me to the I had before seen in the room. gate.

66

See those three boys," said my myste

"Yes," replied I; "the first spoke of the poor in spirit."

"See," said he, as he passed the garden-rious companion; "do you know them?" "see how we care for our little ones! Thus we save them from the contamination of the wicked and the untaught. Here they play and sport in innocence and peace; for here no evil thing can enter."

"And what said he ?"

"He said," answered I, "that the poor in spirit were those whose treasure is poverty of pride."

"And what said the next?"

"He spoke of the meek," replied I. "He

"And the third ?" continued my companion.

66

shall, like Noah, dwell in the ark of the covenant, and be called the children of God.' I marked his words well; he spoke like a child holy and good."

I stood and gazed once more on these fair children, pursuing their amusements in the joy and purity of their hearts. After this I pursued my lonely way. As I walked I re-observed that meekness was of great price flected on all 1 had seen and heard. The in the sight of the Lord; for by it the poor images of the children, with their low and and the weak shall bear rule." pleasant voices, still seemed to follow me; while I recounted to myself their apt and prompt answers. Thus musing I reached He spoke of the peacemakers. Those,' my own paddock. The haymakers were said he, who, like Noah, put forth their just leaving their work for the night. Wear-hand to welcome the dove, the type of peace, ied with my walk, I threw myself upon one of the adjacent heaps of hay which their diligent hands had reared up; and before many minutes I fell fast asleep. My mind, however, was still filled with my late visit; for in a moment I was carried back to the scene that had so delighted me; and I dreamed in vivid colors the following dream :-Methought I had passed from the room, and taken leave of my friend at the gate. I turned my head to have a last view of the happy children at their games, when I saw a radiant figure beckon me back. I returned. "Do you wish, stranger," said he, "to know more of yon group of fair children that has so captivated you?" I replied in the affirmative. "Then give me your hand," said he. I did so, and in an instant we were in the midst of a group of children, which I saw at once was that with whose answers I had been so struck. As I was gazing, my companion drew his

"Then, now behold and listen!" said my attendant; and as he spoke, he drew his hand across my ears.

Suddenly I heard the conversation of these three boys, loud and clear. Their voices had no longer the soft sweet tone I had admired before, and their gestures and countenances seemed to have acquired anew a roughness even beyond what had on my entrance into the garden shocked me. "I! I submit to you, base churl of the earth!" cried the first, with a face inflamed with passion. "No, never! rather would I be trampled under foot by the beasts of the field! rather would I give up my liberty, dearer to me than life, than have it lorded over me by a slave and a beggar!" Here a sweet, gentle voice chant

ed lowly, "If it were so, Lazarus was a she. "To the dance, to the dance! You beggar, and Onesimus was a slave." "Si-are the bane of all spirit and life,-every lence, silence, Nona!" cried a voice I knew thing withers before you!" "Say not so," for the third boy's, who had spoken of peace-cried the damsel; "I am poor, and weak, makers. "Get you to your flowers, Nona,- and worthless, I know. But there is One get you off quickly! You always put in above makes His sun to shine alike on the your word, and spoil everything. And now good and on the evil. And see, dear Secunto it, lads!-to it!" "Fear not Nona's in-da, how bravely the sweet flowers in my fluence," cried the second boy, with flashing garden flourish and bloom: here is the fair eyes and vehement gestures. "What is he pure lilly; the " "And here is Nona, that I am not? If I am a base born churl of preaching, as usual, to us," interrupted the the earth, he is a far baser." "This is what I maiden who had discoursed on those persecall spirit, lads. Come on, come on!" again cuted for righteousness-sake. Truly it is cried the third boy, while the last speaker fit and seemly that the most ignorant and struck his opponent a blow which sent him obscure should preach to her betters. But, reeling to some distance. Before he had re- come, if her flowers are fair and brave, as covered himself, my mysterious guide had she says, let us have our share. Come, Sedrawn his hand again across my ears and my cunda, help!" "With all my heart," cried eyes; and the scene looked as before. Secunda, laughing; "my motto is, a short life and a merry one; and I see not why Nona's flowers should not prove the pleasantness of my doctrine. See, they are now in their prime,-just fit for the trial."

66

This is enough,” said he.

66

66

"And

• Enough!—too much!" cried I. Cruel, cruel vision! Are these the children of peace, gentleness, and meekness, who but now spake as angels? Oh, say not all are alike! LookI am sure," continued the other, "they will at yon bright happy creature; she spake of have a happier life with us, because they those who mourn; surely now she is rejoic-will be far more admired in our hair than in ing in the blessedness she anticipated!"

this dull garden of Nona's, hid in a corner,

where no eyes can penetrate."

So saying, they began to pluck Nona's beautiful flowers. They presently found, however, they had not strength for the task; and angry with the unexpected resistance they met with, they attempted roughly to tear up the plants by the roots.

"What are you about, dear Secunda ?Octavia, what do you want?" cried Nona, gently.

That fair being spake of the persecuted," replied I. "She said, "Happy those, the days of whose pilgrimage, whether few or many, were like Jacob's-evil in this life, that they may be blessed in the life to come.' "Oh, oh, deaf one!" said Octavia, shoutAnd she cried, Woe to those who offending rudely. "You have not heard all our Your flowers look fair; and it is not

one of the little ones of the flock.""

he.

66

plan?

Then, now listen, and behold!" said just they be suffered to waste their sweetness. We are going to adorn ourselves with them."

Again I saw and heard. The first little maiden was dancing about with a wildness and vehemence I perceived not before. Presently she flew upon the fair child in the silver garments, who, ever since so rudely driven away by the boys, had been diligently employed tending a small bed of the fairest and sweetest flowers. As I gazed, her loveliness increased tenfold. "Up, up, Nona!" cried

Nona looked sweetly upon them, but spake not, and continued to cherish her flowers.

"None so deaf as those who won't hear," cried Secunda, laughing.

She will understand uprooting her flowers," cried the other, again making the attempt.