during the few years between his first release from imprisonment at Rome, A.D. 63, and his return thither when imprisoned for the second time, A.D. 67.

The great fire at Rome, which broke out A.D. 64, and consumed the greater part of the capital, and which it is believed was caused by the Emperor Nero himself, was afterwards imputed to the Christians; and from thence arose the first general persecution of the Christians by the Roman government. During this period, St. Paul suffered martyrdom at Rome, by being beheaded with a sword, June, A.D. 68, at the close of that emperor's reign; and it is stated that on the same day, and at the same place, the Apostle St. Peter likewise suffered martyrdom by crucifixion.

In the Convent of La Lisla, near Toledo, in Spain, is shown an extremely ancient sword, supposed to be of copper, twenty-five inches in length, and three and a half inches in its greatest breadth,

on one side of which are vestiges in Roman capitals, of "Paulus-Capite," and on the other, "Mucro." This sword is asserted to have been the same that was used in St. Paul's martyrdom.

The Festival of St. Paul is on the 25th of January; on which day the Church commemorates his miraculous Conversion.

St. Paul is represented in Ecclesiastical paintings holding a Sword, which was the instrument of his martyrdom; and his likeness is traditional from very ancient times.

Collect for the Festival of St. Paul.

O God, who, through the preaching of the blessed Apostle Saint Paul, hast caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world; Grant, we beseech Thee, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show forth our thankfulness unto Thee for the same, by following the Holy Doctrine which he taught; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ST. STEPHEN

THE PROTO-MARTYR.

FROM Holy Scripture we learn that St. Stephen was of Hebrew descent, for he tells us himself that he "had Abraham as his father';" but he appears to have been a Grecian by birth, the name of Stephen having a Greek origin, from a Greek word, signifying "a crown.' He is first mentioned as "a man full of faith, and of the Holy Ghost," who was chosen by the Apostles as one of the " seven men of good report to serve as deacons;" and who was "full of faith and power, and did great wonders and miracles among the people"." St. Stephen is again mentioned in Holy Scripture as having been accused by certain of the Synagogue who disputed with him, and who "were not able to resist the wisdom and spirit by which he spake."

7 Acts vii. 2.

8 Acts vi. 5, 6. 8.

He was then brought before the Sanhedrim, "where witnesses were suborned against him"," and whilst in the midst of his defence of the "Just One, of whom they had been the betrayers and murderers'," and while "Stephen, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked stedfastly unto heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God," he was seized, and cast out of the city, and stoned, "calling upon God, saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And when he had "kneeled down, he cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge; and when he had said this, he fell asleep"."

The martyrdom of St. Stephen is believed to have taken place A.D. 33, within a year after the Ascension of our Lord; and we are told in Holy Scripture that "devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation for him"."

9 Acts vi. 9 to end.

2 Acts vii. 55 to end.

1 Acts vii. 52.

3 Acts viii. 2.

From Ecclesiastical History' we learn that the scene of St. Stephen's sufferings was without the walls of Jerusalem, near the gate on the north side, which was formerly called the Gate of Ephraim, but was afterwards named St. Stephen's Gate: and not far to the southward of which is a pool, which tradition states to have been the Pool of Bethesda, where our Lord healed the impotent man. The spot is even now shown, where it is said that Saul sat when he kept the clothes of those who slew Stephen; and the stone on which the latter knelt whilst he suffered, is stated to have been removed to the church on Mount Sion, erected in honour of the Apostles, and there held in great veneration. The place of St. Stephen's burial is believed to have been on Mount Sion, in the house where the Apostles were assembled when our Lord appeared to them, "the doors being shut," after His

4 Luke v.
2-16.

5 Acts vii. 58.