POLYCARP'S DECISION.-

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 25, 1868

POLYCARP'S DECISION.—

When he appeared before the proconsul, the latter said to him, “Swear, curse Christ, and I will set you free!” The old man answered—“Eighty and six years have I served him, and I have received only good at his hands! Can I, then, curse Him, my King, and my Saviour?” When the proconsul continued to press him, Polycarp said—“Well, then, if you desire to know who I am, I tell thee freely, I am a Christian! If you desire to know what Christianity is, appoint an hour and hear me.” The proconsul, who here showed that he did not act from any religious bigotry, and would gladly have saved the old man, if he could silence the people, said to Polycarp—“Only persuade the people.” He replied: “To you I feel myself bound to render an account, for our religion teaches us to treat the powers ordained by God with becoming reverence, as far as is consistent with our salvation. But as for those without, I consider them as undeserving of any defence from me. And justly too! for what would it have been but throwing pearls before swine, to attempt to speak of the Gospel to a wild, tumultuous, and fanatical mob?” After the governor had in vain threatened him with wild beasts and the funeral pile, he made the herald publicly announce in their circus, that Polycarp had confessed himself a Christian. These words contained the sentence of death against him. The people instantly cried out, “This is the teacher of Atheism, the father of the Christians, the enemy of our gods, who has taught so many not to pray to the gods, and not to sacrifice!” As soon as the proconsul had complied with the demand of the populace, that Polycarp should perish on the funeral pile, Jew and Gentile hastened with the utmost eagerness to collect wood from the market places and the baths. When they wished to fasten him with nails to the pile, the old man said, “Leave me thus, I pray, unfastened. He who has enabled me to abide the fire, will give me strength also to remain firm on the stake.” Before the fire was lighted he prayed thus: “O Lord! Almighty God! the Father of thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ; through whom we have received a knowledge of Thee! God of the angels and of the whole creation; of the whole human race, and of the saints who live before thy presence! I thank Thee that Thou hast thought me worthy, this day, and this hour, to share the cup of thy Christ among the number of thy witnesses.”—Neander.