replied: "From the
books of the Christians." Margaret continued: "Why did you not read
further on? The books of the Christians would have told you that the
Crucified rose on the third day, and that He ascended into heaven. Is it
love of truth to believe in the abasement of Christ and to reject His
glorification, when both are related in the selfsame book?"

At this reproof the prefect became angry and ordered the tender virgin
to be cruelly scourged, placed on the rack, and torn with iron combs.
Then she was cast into prison. There Margaret fervently thanked God for
the victory she had achieved and implored His help for the combat yet in
store for her. Suddenly there appeared to her the arch-enemy of mankind
in the shape of a furious dragon, threatening to swallow her. The brave
virgin feared him not, but made the sign of the cross, and the monster
vanished. Then her desolate prison cell became suffused with heavenly
light, and her heart was filled with divine consolation. At the same
time her terrible wounds were suddenly healed, and not the least scar
was left.

Next day Margaret was again brought before the prefect. Surprised at her
complete recovery from the effects of his cruelty, he remarked that no
doubt it was due to the power of the pagan gods, and exhorted her to
show her gratitude to them by sacrificing to the idols. Margaret
maintained that she had been healed by the power of Christ alone and
declared that she despised the heathen gods. At this, the rage of
Alybrius knew no bounds. He ordered lighted torches to be applied to
Margaret's body, and then had her cast into icy water to intensify her
torture. But scarcely had this been done when a violent earthquake
occurred. Her bonds were severed and she rose unscathed from the water,
without a mark of the burns caused by the flaming torches. On witnessing
this miracle, a great number of spectators were converted to the Faith.

Finally the prefect ordered Margaret to be beheaded. Her glorious
martyrdom and death occurred about the year 275.

LESSON

THE history of the virgin martyr St. Margaret teaches us that we can and
ought to serve God even in youth. In the Old Law God commanded all the
first-born and the first-fruits to be offered to Him. "Thou shalt not
delay to pay thy tithes and first-fruits. Thou shalt give the first-born
of thy sons to Me" (_Ex._ xxii. 29).

Certainly our whole life ought to be dedicated to the service of God;
but from the above