companies of violent and enraged men, in going to, and returning from our religious meetings, that the lives of the members of our Society were so signally preserved."

Mo. As a close to our proofs of the inconsistency of war with the principles of Christianity, Edward may read us this interesting account taken from the "Acts of Ruinart," of a young man who suffered death rather than be enlisted as a soldier. It clearly proves that among the early converts to the blessed religion we profess, war was considered incompatible with Christianity.

ED. This is the account mother wishes me to read.

"Maximilian being brought before the tribunal, in order to be enrolled as a soldier, Dion, the proconsul, asked him his name. Maximilian, turning to him, replied, 'Why wouldst thou know my name? I am a Christian, and cannot fight.'

"Then Dion ordered him to be enrolled, and when he was enrolled, it was recited out of the register, that he was five feet ten

inches high. Immediately after this, Dion bade the officer mark him. But Maximilian refused to be marked, still asserting that he was a Christian. Upon which Dion instantly replied, Bear arms, or thou shalt die.'

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"He answered, 'I connot fight if I die. I am not a soldier of this world but a soldier of God.' Dion then said, Who has persuaded thee to behave thus?' Maximilian answered, My own mind, and he who called me.' Dion then spoke to his father and bade him persuade his son. But his father observed, that his son knew his own mind, and what it was best for him to do.

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"After this had passed, Dion addressed Maximilian again in these words: Take thy arms and receive the mark.' 'I can receive,' said Maximilian, no such mark, I have already the mark of Christ.' Upon which Dion said I will send the quickly to thy Christ.' 'Thou mayest do so,' said Maximilian, but the glory will be mine.'

"Dion then bade the officer mark him. But Maximilian still persisted in refusing, and spoke thus: 'I cannot receive the mark of

this world, and if thou shouldst give me the mark, I will destroy it. It will avail nothing. I am a Christian, and it is not lawful for me to wear such a mark about my neck, when I have received the saving mark of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, whom thou knowest not, who died to give us life, and whom God gave for our sins. Him, all we Christians obey. Him we follow, as the restorer of our life, and the author of our salvation.'

"Dion instantly replied to this: 'Take thy arms, and receive the mark, or thou shalt suffer a miserable death' But I shall not perish,' said Maximilian,' 'my name is already enrolled with Christ-I cannot fight.'

"Dion said, 'Consider then thy youth, and bear arms. The profession of arms becomes

a young man.' Maximilian replied, 'My

arms are with the Lord-I cannot fight for any earthly consideration-I am now a Christian.'

"Dion, the Proconsul said, "among the life guards of our masters, Dioclesian and

F

Maximinian and Constantius, and Maximus, there are Christian soldiers, and they fight.' "Maximilian answered, 'They know best what is expedient for them, but I am a Christian, and it is unlawful to do evil.'

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Dion said, Take thy arms, despise not the profession of a soldier, lest thou perish miserably.'

"But I shall not perish,' says Maximilian, and if I should leave this world, my soul will live with Christ the Lord.'

"Dion then ordered his name to be struck from the roll, and when this was done, he proceeded, Because out of thy rebellious spirit thou hast refused to bear arms, thou art to die by the sword.'

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"Maximilian replied, Thanks be to God.' "He was twenty years, three months, and seventeen days old; and when he was led to the place of execution, he spoke thus: My dear brethren endeavour with all your might, that it may be your portion to see the Lord, and that he may give you such a crown.' And then with a pleasant countenance, he said to his father, 'Give the executioner the sol

dier's coat thou hast gotten for me, and when I shall receive thee in the company of the blessed martyrs, we may also rejoice together with the Lord.'

"After this he suffered. His mother, Pompeiana, obtained his body of the judge, and conveyed it to Carthage, and buried it near the place where the body of Cyprian the martyr lay. And thirteen days after this his mother died, and was buried in the same place. And Victor, his father, returned to his habitation, rejoicing and praising God that he had sent before such a gift to the Lord, himself expecting to follow after."

FA. A striking instance of the power of divine love, and an encouraging example, both in father and son, evincing the truth of the principles of peace, as fully as if his life had been preserved.

Mo. It is now time for us to read our portion of Scripture: the martyrdom of Stephen, recorded in the acts of the Apostles, will afford a touching illustration of the power of Christianity.

55. But he being full of the Holy Ghost,