Morning Star

From Christian Records.

THE PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH BY SEVERUS.

The emperor Severus, having been recovered from sickness by a Christian, at one time favored the Christians; but the rage of the people prevailing, he permitted the disciples to be again persecuted. Victor, bishop of Rome, suffered; many of Origen's hearers, at Alexandria, suffered.—Marcella was burnt. Her daughter Rhais had boiled pitch, poured on her head, and was then burnt. Potamiena, the sister of Rhais, was put to death in the same manner; but Basilides, an officer who attended her execution, was converted and afterwards beheaded.

Irenaeus, who was born in Asia Minor, went into France, where he was ordained a Presbyter of the church at Lyons; and though a great scholar, he learned a barbarous language, that he might teach his flock. After the martyrdom of Pothinus, he was made bishop of Lyons. Being taken, with several of his chief friends, they were led to the top of a hill, on which were placed crosses on one hand, and idols on the other; and they were put to their choice, either to embrace the idols and live, or be crucified; upon which they joyfully chose the latter, and suffered martyrdom. Irenaeus was always a great enemy to error. This pious bishop wrote thus to Florinus, who had embraced doctrines contrary to the Gospel. "These doctrines, those who walked with the apostles did not deliver to you; for I saw you when I was a boy in Asia, with Polycarp; and you were then, tho' a person of rank in the emperor's service, desirous of being approved of him. The instructions of our childhood grow with our growth, and adhere to us most closely, so that I can describe the very spot in which Polycarp sat and expounded, the manner of his life, the figure of his body, the sermons which he preached to the multitude: how he related to us his converse with John and the rest of those who had seen the Lord, how he mentioned their particular expressions, what things he had heard from them of the Lord, of his miracles, of his doctrines. These things, through the mercy of God, I heard with seriousness: I wrote them not on paper, but on my heart; and ever since, through the grace of God, have a genuine remembrance of them, and can witness before God, that if that blessed Apostolic Presbyter had heard some of the doctrines which are now maintained he would have cried out and stopped his ears, and in his usual manner have said, 'O good God! to what times hast thou reserved me!' How strongly do these words show the importance of cleaving with full purpose of heart to the true doctrines of God's holy word, and avoiding dangerous errors! And what a blessed example is Irenaeus to young persons and children! When a child, he wrote upon his heart the truths he heard from the holy bishop of Smyrna. In like manner, young readers, should you receive the word of God when faithfully preached; and if you have been religiously instructed at school, or by your parents, you should seriously and thankfully treasure up the truths which you have been taught. Oh! do not let the cares of the world, or hurtful lusts, choke the precious seed that has been sown in your hearts. Just turn to Heb. xi. 1–3, and read the passage carefully. Are not these awful words?

Cecilia, a young lady in Rome, was married to a gentleman named Valerian. Her husband and brother, having become Christians through her means, were beheaded. The lady was placed in a scalding bath, and having continued there a considerable time, her head was struck off. Calixtus, bishop of Rome, died a martyr in 224; and Urban, bishop of Rome, in 232.