THE CATACOMBS AT ROME. 71 such a case, be intended for Deo Maximo, "To the great God;" or they may have been done by an ignorant sculptor from long habit. Bearing in mind that the first Christians numbered among them very largely the poor and ignorant of this world, many of whom were unable to read and write, it is easy to see how soon the adoption of symbols would become common; and it is very interesting to read names rudely written down, with some Christian sign in the same way that a man would now put his mark as a witness to his name. The dove with the olive-branch in its mouth, and the word pace, "in peace," is very common: a favourite idea, also, in modern times, as it appears repeatedly among the marbles of the present St. Peter's at Rome. The anchor, the palm, and the sheep are also met with; a crown and a ship. Some of these were at one time supposed to be exclusively confined to those who had been martyred; but it would seem that this cannot be proved. Those who wrote, often did it in much the same style as the most ignorant of our country-clerks. "Navira, in peace,-a sweet soul, who lived 16 years and 5 months. A soul sweet as honey. This epitaph was made by her parents. The sign a ship." Now navis is the Latin for "ship ;" and a ship is represented as the best phonetic symbol for Navira. Again: Here is an inscription with a pig; and we find it is the tomb of a little girl named Porcella, which means, in Latin, 66 a little pig." "Here sleeps Porcella in peace: she lived 3 years, 10 months, 13 days." There are, besides, as among the Pagans, many signs of the business or occupation of the departed, hammers, axes, saws, shears, combs, shoes, &c. :— Illustration. A slab represents a stonemason at work upon a sarcophagus; a boy is helping him, by working the drill employed in boring the stone: his other implements of the trade are on the ground; and the finished sarcophagus, with a name on it agreeing with the name in the inscription, informs us that Eutropus was engaged in the trade of a sculptor, and maker of sepulchral monuments. He stands in a praying attitude with a cup in his hand. The inscription, which is in Greek, reads thus: "The holy worshipper of God, Eutropus, in peace. His son made this. He died on the tenth Kalends of September." Another grave-stone is erected to the wife of a shoemaker, two slippers being scratched thereon. In an interesting little volume, entitled "The Contents and Teachings of the Catacombs at Rome," just published, and from which these epitaphs have been selected, the following remarks occur:- 66 'It would be an interesting inquiry, but beside my purpose, to search how far these endeavours to inscribe symbolically names and professions, led to the general adoption of family symbols, such as crests and armorial bearings; which very commonly consist of some allusion to, or play upon, the family name or occupations. This practice, subsequently reduced into order, as the science of heraldry, has usually been attributed to the inscribing of symbols on the shields of those who engaged in the Holy Land during the middle ages. But it is quite evident the practice was not then originated, but merely revived; for traces of it exist not only in the Catacombs at Rome, but upon the tombs of the Armenian Christians to this day it was adopted by wealthy families in the Augustan age." : 72 THE CATACOMBS AT ROME. The Christian epitaphs are remarkable for the absence of surnames, which is common on those of the Roman. Very frequently pace, or in pace, is found in them; thus distinguishing them from those who laid their friends in the grave without any solid ground of comfort as they mourned over their separation. These words contain the same idea as the word cemetery; which began to be applied to the Catacombs, probably, in the second or third century, and which, by calling them a place of sleep, implies a time of awakening. The Catacombs were, probably, gradually closed about the seventh century, and remained so for about a thousand years, when their treasures were brought to light and eagerly seized by the Romish Church. It is strange that Papists should have shown so much enthusiasm in this respect; for in these authentic and simple records there is much evidence to prove that practices now supported and maintained by their corrupt system were unknown in those early days.* The name of the Virgin does not once occur, as far as the inscriptions have yet been examined. Prayers do not appear to have been offered for the dead, and we have no calling upon the saints to intercede; at least this may be affirmed of the first three or four centuries. The Lapidarian Gallery contains only "one inscription with the phrase, Ora pro nobis, 'Pray for us;'" words which now ring on the ear as chanted in the processions which visit the picturesque little chapels so abounding in Roman Catholic countries, and so perpetually addressed to the eye in passing the cemeteries there; and it is the more remarkable when it is known that the Catacombs remained open during half the fifth century. It is true that, when persecution had ceased, the place which had so often formed a safe refuge came to be looked upon with great veneration. The small chambers became enlarged and decorated, where the church had formerly been compelled to worship in secret; and exceeding honour was paid to those who had perished as martyrs. But in studying the inscriptions we are enabled to go back to more early times, and to rejoice in the simplicity of the faith held by those who were regarded as the object of the world's contempt and scorn. We can think of them as holding the same faith as ourselves, as honouring the great Head, being part of the "one body," as members of the great family which is being gathered in heaven. Their names, little known among men, have yet survived many that panted in their day for earthly immortality; and, though now removed to an honourable place on earth where the eye of man may gaze on them, they are yet more gloriously written in the book of life. THE CATACOMBS AT ROME. sad times! in which among sacred rites and prayers, even in caverns, we are not safe. What can be more wretched than such a life? And what than such a death? when they cannot be buried by their friends and relations. At length they sparkle in heaven. He has scarcely lived, who has lived in Christian times." This epitaph is a singular illustration of the natural shrinking of human nature from persecution and suffering, and a glorious triumph of the Divine hope in Him who hath redeemed us from the power of the grave. There is reason to believe that very few perfect inscriptions relating to martyrs now exist: indeed, it 73 does not appear to have been the practice of the early Christians to obtrude their own sufferings upon others; their inscriptions almost always point to a glorious immortality. Peace is inscribed on thousands of graves; Suffering on but very few. It has been well said, "Turn where you will in the Catacombs, all is peace, peace, peace, everywhere." The number of those who were martyred and buried here is variously estimated. They are not to be numbered by man; but known unto God are all His martyred saints. A great quantity of lights, chiefly earthenware lamps, have been discovered in the Catacombs. It will at once be seen that in such places they were necessary, and quite a different thing from the employment of candles in worship during broad daylight; a practice far more senseless, and having less in harmony with the deep wants of our nature, than somo things which the Church of Rome favours. The number buried in the Catacombs must have been very great, if, as is stated, there are more than seventy thousand inscriptions. Rawlinson says that the Catacombs are calculated to extend over nine hundred miles of streets, and to contain almost seven millions of graves. It is interesting to trace the gradual progress in art among the remains; but the more finished productions have too often traces in them which tell that the Church was losing her simplicity as she numbered among her members those who could command the means for more than the rude scratching of a name with some well-known symbol beside it. Mr. Maitland has pursued the subject at some length, and his book will be found to contain much information to those who may desire to pursue the subject farther. Perhaps there is nothing more instructive in these remains, placed, as we have stated above, side by side with those of Pagans, than the great difference between the joy and trust which simple faith in Christ can give, and the unsatisfactory result of the proud teaching of philosophy when man has to confront his last enemy. The well-known letter to Cicero on the death of his daughter, by Servius Sulpicius, is echoed on the proud monuments where name and titles are fully set forth: there is no hope in them; grief, and love, and desolation are there, but they never rise above the words of Sulpicius,-"if there be any sense in the dead." The Christian epitaphs, on the other hand, are full of the assurance of another nobler life: not only could they speak of peace after a time of persecution, and perhaps a violent death, but they were sleeping in Him, who was to them the resurrection and the life; and these ancient records bear witness how truly and how consolingly "life and immortality were brought to light" by Him. THE REPRIEVE, AND HOW IT WAS OBTAINED. A YOUNG lady one day visited some soldiers' wives who were sick in the female hospital of a great garrison. She thought her work done; but, passing down the ward, her eye rested on a pretty-faced but sad-looking young woman of twenty-three, whose pillow was quite wet with tears and perspiration; and so pitiful was the sight of that sorrowful-looking sister, that the young lady stopped at her bed, and said kindly to her, "I have a little hymn here that may perhaps comfort you; for you look sad. Read it; and when you have done with it, give it your husband to read." Poor woman! kind lady! "How many a shaft at random sent Finds mark the archer never meant! The visiter, waiting not for reply, passed to the door of the hospital, where her brother, an officer in high command, awaited her return: before taking their departure, however, a nurse, who had heard the words spoken at the bedside, came and said, "Do you know, Ma'am, who that poor woman's husband is?" "No," replied the lady. "He is ," said the nurse: "he lies in -jail, and will be hanged for murder next Friday. The poor young wife has not spoken for a week; and her dear innocent child was born here the very day its father was condemned." "Just wait a little longer; I feel that I must go back and speak again to this poor woman," said the visiter to her brother; and to that heartburdened creature she said, "It seems as though God has sent me to you. I have only just heard about your husband: now tell me, how I can help you, and I will do it most gladly." Ah! had she not spoken for a week? had she lain there without one word of love for her babe, without singing one note of music to hush it when it cried, or soothe it when it grieved? But will she stay silent? Can no skilful hand finger the instrument and make it vibrate? O, yes! "Feeling hearts, touch them but rightly, Will pour a thousand melodies unheard before." She spoke: "O, Miss! if you would but write to my husband; if you would but tell him I will come to see him in the jail on Wednesday; for I hope the doctors will let me go.' That was gladly promised; loving words were spoken,-words of God's truth but then, even after all, how slight the consolation! for the thought was uppermost in each mind, "He is to be hanged on Friday." These were the circumstances of the man's case. He was a young handsome fellow. A few years before the murder, he had eloped with his wife, a mere girl, and had deeply offended her parents; now they were reconciled, and he was visiting them. The visit had passed pleasantly, the last night of it had come: suddenly, the father-in-law was overcome by violent passion; the remembrance of the marriage, the old rancour sprang up in his mind; and he grasped his soldier son-in-law by the throat; he grappled with him for half-an-hour. In the affray there entered an old woman, a good Christian, who on the morning of that very day had read portions of the Bible to this soldier. She interfered, and he struck and continued for some time to cut her with his sword. She lingered for six months, and then died. A verdict of wilful murder was given against the man, and he was sentenced to death. Were there no extenuating circumstances? There were; but, strange to tell, they were not brought forward on the trial. Long before the murder, this man had met with a serious acci THE HISTORY OF THOUSANDS. dent on board the Himalaya, where falling, a spike entered his head. Medical men had warned him that he would be subject to great excitement; that, if he took intoxicating liquor, he would be in danger of insanity. Now what can be done? The lady visiter thought that at least a subscription for the wife might be set on foot. At once she wrote to a lady of great wealth, intelligence, influence, and godliness, and asked for assistance. Prayer also was offered. The answer soon came: and what an answer! The lady had been so impressed by the letter that she could not sleep; early next day she travelled several miles to London, went to the Home Office, but the Secretary of State was absent. She asked for a reprieve. "On what do you base your plea ?" was asked. "If on the fact that the man was drunk, it will be of no avail: the Queen will not hear it." "No, but on temporary insanity." "Then, Madam, if you will write to (the Secretary of State,) "I will carefully deliver the letter to him this evening." A letter, earnest and clear, was written at once by the lady, whose name is prominent for good works, and for religious influence in high circles in the land. She enclosed the letter of her friend the visiter to the wretched wife, and handed the two to Mr. private Secretary to the Home Secretary. He said, "But it is late; this is Wednesday, the man is to be hanged on Friday; and indeed I may tell you that his death-warrant, the order for execution, has been signed and sent." "Ah!" said the lady, "and so has yours, Sir. No, no, it is not too late." "Do tell me what you mean, Madam: you are the second person who this week has told me that my deathwarrant is signed," said Mr. “I mean,” replied the lady, "that God who reigns above over us all, has fixed the day of your departure hence; and that it is only a matter of time, a 75 little longer or a little shorter, with any of us; and that it is our wisdom each to prepare for that certain event of death." The Other conversation followed. Gospel of Jesus Christ was declared, and four persons in the Home Office sat down to read God's holy word, and there knelt in humble prayer and reverent worship before Him who guides and rules the hearts of Princes, and teaches senators wisdom. The letters were delivered. God heard prayer. A British Statesman was, as he should be, humane; the Queen of Great Britain did a royal thing, not breaking God's law: she agreed that this was a good case for clemency, and granted a reprieve. The man was mad, an asylum and not the gallows was his place; the old wound was remembered; the fact that lengthened seizure of the throat would induce undue cerebral action was admitted, and quick messengers bore down the reprieve; an idle crowd lost their expected gratification; a man's life was prolonged, let us hope to be devoted to God. The young wife was not widowed, nor her three children left fatherless, or, worse than that, left to grow up and be cursed with the taunt, "Your father was hanged!" And how came all this about? What prompted the action of the good angel-ladies? "The Times" had two leaders in favour of a reprieve, but had failed to move the Government. The hand of God was in it: Christian love worked; faithful prayer prevailed. Let us pray, "God save our gracious Queen," and "grant Thy salvation to everyone connected with this remarkable case." C. H. K. THE HISTORY OF THOUSANDS. THOUSANDS of men, once said Dr. Chalmers, breathe, move, and live; pass off the stage of life, are heard of no more. Why? They do not a particle of good in the world, and none were blessed by them, none could point |