but the salvation of men-the Almighty, hath sent me to turn them from corruption and uncleanness, from sinful pleasures, and from death eternal. And for this cause, God hath sent his Son Jesus Christ, and I teach that men should place all their confidence in him. He alone hath had compassion on the offending world, that they might not fall into condemnation, but might have faith, and the fear of God, and sobriety of life, and the love of the truth. If, therefore, I teach these things only that have been revealed to me of God, in what do I offend?" The governor, hearing these things, commanded Paul to be bound, and to be cast into prison, till he should have an opportunity of hearing him more fully. But Thecla, finding that Paul was cast into prison, arose by night, and pulling off her ear-rings gave them to the porter, and delivering her silver mirror looking-glass to the keeper of the prison, she was admitted to see Paul; and placing herself at his feet, she heard the wonderful things of God. And perceiving that Paul regarded not what he suffered, but that he had confidence in the help of God, she was exceedingly confirmed in the faith. When the morning arose great inquiry was made after Thecla by her household, and by Thamyris; for they feared that evil had befallen her. And examining the porter, they found that she was gone to the prison. And stirring up the people, they departed thence, and made it known to the governor; who commanded that Paul should be again brought to the judgment-seat. But Thecla still continued in the prison, and prostrated herself on the place where Paul had sat and instructed her. At length the governor commanded that she should also be called to the judgment-seat. Thecla hearing this, went forth with great joy. But the people cried out more vehemently against Paul, "He is a sorcerer, let him be put to death;" notwithstanding this the governor willingly heard Paul. And having taken counsel he commanded Thecla to be brought near, and said unto her, "Wherefore art thou not according to the laws of Iconium, given in marriage to Thamyris." But Thecla, fastening her eyes steadfastly on Paul answered nothing. Then her mother vehemently cried out, she should be burnt, that others might fear. And the governor being exceedingly moved, commanded Paul to be scourged, and to be cast out of the city; but he condemned Thecla to be burnt. At the time appointed, the governor went forth with the whole multitude to the theatre, to attend at this cruel spectacle. Then as a lamb in the desert looks round for her shepherd, so did Thecla for Paul. And after she had looked upon the multitude, she saw the Lord Jesus standing near, in the likeness of Paul: and she said within herself, "Paul is come to see me, as though I should not suffer patiently." And fastening her eyes upon him she saw him ascending up into heaven: then she understood what she had seen was the Lord. After her robes were taken off, she was brought forth and the governor was struck with the force of her beauty and the patience and strength of her mind. The wood being placed in order, the people compelled her to ascend the pile. And she, stretching forth her hands in earnest prayer, ascended. And the people having put fire to it, the flames spread on every side, but it had not power to hurt her; for God had compassion upon her. And suddenly there was a great noise in the heavens, and a dark cloud overspread the amphitheatre, and the rain and hail poured down with great violence. So the fire was extinguished and Thecla was delivered. Paul had fled, in the meantime, with Onesiphorus and his family to a tomb which lay in the way between Iconium and Daphne, and they continued fasting many days. Then sending forth one of the children to buy bread, he found Thecla in the way seeking for Paul. When Thecla was come to the tomb she found Paul praying, and cried out, "O Almighty Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, Father of thy holy and well-beloved Son Jesus Christ, I bless. thee that thou hast delivered me from the fire, and given me again to see thy servant Paul." And Paul answered, "O God that searchest the heart, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I thank thee that thou hast heard me." And breaking bread they refreshed themselves in all the holy works of Christ. And Thecla said unto Paul, I will follow thee withersoever thou goest. But he replied, the days are evil-and thou art beautiful, woman-but patiently wait, and thou shalt receive the gift of Christ. Having sent Onesiphorus and his family to their own house, he took Thecla, and departed towards Antioch. There Alexander, a man of great power in the city, saw and would have offered violence to her. But she cried out, dishonor not the handmaid of the Lord, and having repulsed him put him to great shame. Being filled with indignation, he brought her before the governor, who being bribed, condemned her to be cast to the wild beasts. Thecla earnestly entreated the governor that her innocence might be preserved in safety, till she was brought forth to execution. When the governor had demanded with whom she might be trusted, Tryphæna, a woman of great wealth in the city, whose only daughter had lately died, made request to have the charge of her. On the day when she was brought forth to the amphitheatre, they cast her to a very severe lioness. But when Thecla walked up to the lioness, the savage beast received her with a kind of reverence, and offered no violence to her, but came and gently licked her feet. The people seeing this, vehemently cried out, appealing to God, and condemning the unrighteous sentence. And Tryphæna again took the charge of her till the morrow. When the morning arose, Alexander came to the house of Tryphæna to demand Thecla. Tryphæna taking her by the hand led her forth saying, I conducted Falconella to the tomb; and now I lead Thecla to the wild beasts. Thecla hearing this, wept and prayed, "O Lord God in whom I have trusted, reward Tryphæna for her compassion toward me thy servant!" On her entering there was a tumultuous noise in the theatre, the roaring of wild beasts, the clamors of the people, and the lamentations of the women condemning the unrighteous sentence. Thecla being taken from Tryphæna was again cast into the theatre. And another fierce lioness running towards her instantly cast herself at her feet. Then a bear roused by the cries of the people, ran toward her. But the lioness rising, fell upon her, and tore her in pieces. At length a very savage lion came forth that had been accustomed to devour men. The lioness ran towards him. They fought for some time, till they fell dead together. Tryphæna, who was placed in the highest part of the theatre, seeing this, sunk down, and was taken up for dead. The whole city was filled with terror: for Tryphæna belonged to the emperor's family. And Alexander himself besought the governor saying, have compassion on the city, and send this pestilent woman hence, lest the whole city be destroyed. The governor calling to Thecla from the midst of the wild beasts said to her, "Woman, declare who art thou-and by what power thou hast been preserved." Thecla replied, "I am a servant of the living God, and have believed on his Son Jesus Christ, in whom he is well pleased, therefore have I been delivered. He alone is the way to eternal salvation. He is a refuge from the storm, a rest to the afflicted, a defence to those that are in despair, and whosoever believeth not on him shall not see life." The governor hearing this, commanded her to be clothed. Thecla answered," May God, that hath clothed me, defenceless amidst the wild beasts, clothe thee with salvation in the day of judgment !" Then the governor proclained, "Thecla, servant of God, I command thee to be discharged." And the women with one voice. gave glory to God, crying out, "He is God alone whom Thecla worships. He alone is God, who hath preserved Thecla.” The whole city was soon moved at their cries; and the tidings being brought to Tryphæna, she revived and arose, and went forth to meet Thecla, who embracing her, she said, "Now I believe that the dead are raised-now I believe that my child liveth. Come Thecla, my daughter, to my house, and all that I have shall be thine." On this Thecla returned with Tryphæna, and tarried with her certain days, and taught her the word of the Lord, and many women were subject to the faith, and Tryphæna and all her household believing, there was great joy in the house of Trypha na. But Thecla had an earnest desire to see Paul, to be further instructed by him. And sending to every quarter, she sought after him. When it was told her that he was at Myra in Lycia, she went forward to seek him. And when she found Paul preaching the word of God, she placed herself among the hearers. Paul marvelled greatly at seeing her. And taking her to the house of Hermes, she related to him all that had befallen her at Antioch. All that heard these things were established in the faith, and offered up prayer for Tryphæna. And Thecla arising, said unto Paul, I go to Iconium. And Paul said unto her, Go, and teach the word of God. And Tryphana when she heard that Thecla was going to Iconium, sent her much gold and raiment for the relief of poor saints. And Thecla departed thence to Iconium, and entering into the house of Onesiphorus fell on her face, where she had first heard Paul, praying with many tears, and giving thanks to God, and saying, "Lord God of this house, where thy light first shined upon me, Jesus, thou Son of the living God, who wast my helper before the governor, my deliverer in the fire, my protector from the wild beasts; thou alone art God, for ever and ever. Amen." A LAY OF TRAVEL-ROME. BY J. BAYARD TAYLOR. Wreck of the fallen world! Gone is thy greatness now; Tramples thy brow! Shadows of centuries glide, Ivy and brambles grow; Heaped by the Appian way— Yet 'mid the waifs of Time Out from the temples' mould! Slaves on the Tyrshene strandStill does thine empire last, Ghost of a god-like Past! Still does the world so vast Yield to thy silent sway! Though in the flood of years Vanished both realms and spheres, Thine 'mid the blood and tears. Passed not away! Viewless, yet potent still, Reigneth the old renown, Thronged on the classic hill Crowned with the deathless crown There, at its shrine adore, Breathless, the sons of Art; Led by the laws of yore, Bursts upon tyrants now; |