p. 151 | The Contracting Cell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 4, 1869

The Contracting Cell.

ONE of the most ingenious tortures of the Hohenstaufen family in the height of their despotic rule, was that of a cell, which at the prisoner's first entrance presented an air of comfort and ease, so that it was not till he had been a few days confined that he observed the dimensions of his chamber beginning to contract. But the discovery once made, the fact became more appalling every day. Slowly but terribly the sides drew closer, and the unhappy victim, at last was crushed to death. What an emblem does this suggest of the sinner's contracting day of grace! “Oh! what would the poor victim in such a cell have given to see the door open and hear a voice, “Escape for thy life!” Would he have lingered for one moment, think you?