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at public fetes。 Vast multitudes assembled to enjoy the sight and greeted
their dying agonies with laughter and applause。
Wherever they sought refuge； the followers of Christ were hunted like beasts
of prey。 They were forced to seek concealment in desolate and solitary
places。 〃Destitute； afflicted； tormented； （of whom the world was not
worthy：） they wandered in deserts； and in mountains； and in dens and caves
of the earth。〃 Verses 37； 38。 The catacombs afforded shelter for thousands。
Beneath the hills outside the city of Rome； long galleries had been tunneled
through earth and rock； the dark and intricate network of passages extended
for miles beyond the city walls。 In these underground retreats the followers
of Christ buried their dead； and here also； when suspected and proscribed；
they found a home。 When the Life…giver shall awaken those who have fought
the good fight； many a martyr for Christ's sake will come forth from those
gloomy caverns。
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Under the fiercest persecution these witnesses for Jesus kept their faith
unsullied。 Though deprived of every comfort； shut away from the light of the
sun； making their home in the dark but friendly bosom of the earth； they
uttered no complaint。 With words of faith； patience； and hope they
encouraged one another to endure privation and distress。 The loss of every
earthly blessing could not force them to renounce their belief in Christ。
Trials and persecution were but steps bringing them nearer their rest and
their reward。
Like God's servants of old； many were 〃tortured； not accepting deliverance；
that they might obtain a better resurrection。〃 Verse 35。 These called to
mind the words of their Master； that when persecuted for Christ's sake； they
were to be exceeding glad； for great would be their reward in heaven； for so
the prophets had been persecuted before them。 They rejoiced that they were
accounted worthy to suffer for the truth； and songs of triumph ascended from
the midst of crackling flames。 Looking upward by faith； they saw Christ and
angels leaning over the battlements of heaven； gazing upon them with the
deepest interest and regarding their steadfastness with approval。 A voice
came down to them from the throne of God： 〃Be thou faithful unto death； and
I will give thee a crown of life。〃 Revelation 2：10。
In vain were Satan's efforts to destroy the church of Christ by violence。
The great controversy in which the disciples of Jesus yielded up their lives
did not cease when these faithful standard…bearers fell at their post。 By
defeat they conquered。 God's workmen were slain； but His work went steadily
forward。 The gospel continued to spread and the number of its adherents to
increase。 It penetrated into regions that were inaccessible even to the
eagles of Rome。 Said a Christian； expostulating with the heathen rulers who
were urging forward the persecution： You may 〃kill us； torture us； condemn
us。 。 。 。 Your injustice is the proof that we are innocent
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。 。 。 。 Nor does your cruelty 。 。 。 avail you。〃 It was but a stronger
invitation to bring others to their persuasion。 〃The oftener we are mown
down by you； the more in number we grow； the blood of Christians is
seed。〃Tertullian； Apology； paragraph 50。
Thousands were imprisoned and slain； but others sprang up to fill their
places。 And those who were martyred for their faith were secured to Christ
and accounted of Him as conquerors。 They had fought the good fight； and they
were to receive the crown of glory when Christ should come。 The sufferings
which they endured brought Christians nearer to one another and to their
Redeemer。 Their living example and dying testimony were a constant witness
for the truth； and where least expected； the subjects of Satan were leaving
his service and enlisting under the banner of Christ。
Satan therefore laid his plans to war more successfully against the
government of God by planting his banner in the Christian church。 If the
followers of Christ could be deceived and led to displease God； then their
strength； fortitude； and firmness would fail； and they would fall an easy
prey。
The great adversary now endeavored to gain by artifice what he had failed to
secure by force。 Persecution ceased； and in its stead were substituted the
dangerous allurements of temporal prosperity and worldly honor。 Idolaters
were led to receive a part of the Christian faith； while they rejected other
essential truths。 They professed to accept Jesus as the Son of God and to
believe in His death and resurrection； but they had no conviction of sin and
felt no need of repentance or of a change of heart。 With some concessions on
their part they proposed that Christians should make concessions； that all
might unite on the platform of belief in Christ。
Now the church was in fearful peril。 Prison； torture； fire； and sword were
blessings in comparison with this。 Some of the Christians stood firm；
declaring that they could make no
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compromise。 Others were in favor of yielding or modifying some features of
their faith and uniting with those who had accepted a part of Christianity；
urging that this might be the means of their full conversion。 That was a
time of deep anguish to the faithful followers of Christ。 Under a cloak of
pretended Christianity； Satan was insinuating himself into the church； to
corrupt their faith and turn their minds from the word of truth。
Most of the Christians at last consented to lower their standard； and a
union was formed between Christianity and paganism。 Although the worshipers
of idols professed to be converted； and united with the church； they still
clung to their idolatry； only changing the objects of their worship to
images of Jesus； and even of Mary and the saints。 The foul leaven of
idolatry； thus brought into the church； continued its baleful work。 Unsound
doctrines； superstitious rites； and idolatrous ceremonies were incorporated
into her faith and worship。 As the followers of Christ united with
idolaters； the Christian religion became corrupted； and the church lost her
purity and power。 There were some； however； who were not misled by these
delusions。 They still maintained their fidelity to the Author of truth and
worshiped God alone。
There have ever been two classes among those who profess to be followers of
Christ。 While one class study the Saviour's life and earnestly seek to
correct their defects and conform to the Pattern； the other class shun the
plain； practical truths which expose their errors。 Even in her best estate
the church was not composed wholly of the true； pure； and sincere。 Our
Saviour taught that those who willfully indulge in sin are not to be
received into the church； yet He connected with Himself men who were faulty
in character； and granted them the benefits of His teachings and example；
that they might have an opportunity to see their errors and correct them。
Among the twelve apostles was a traitor。 Judas was accepted； not
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because of his defects of character； but notwithstanding them。 He was
conn