I be benefited?"

"He will pardon everything even to the uttermost."

"How can he pardon me?"

"Lift up your soul to him and pray for pardon. If you ask you shall
receive."

"O, then, if I may dare to approach, if it be permitted for me to utter
a word to him, teach me the words, tell me the way."

In the dimness of the gloomy vault, in solitude and solemn silence,
Honorius knelt down, and Marcellus bowed himself by his side.

The venerable Christian lifted up his soul in prayer. Marcellus felt as
though his own soul was being lifted up to the courts of heaven, to the
presence of the Saviour, by the power of that, fervent and agonizing
prayer. The words seemed to find an echo in his own soul. In his deep
abasement he rested his wants upon his companion so that he might
present them in a more acceptable manner.

But finally his own desires grew stronger. Hope came to him, timidly,
tremblingly, yet still it was hope, and his soul grew stronger at her
presence. At, last, when Honorius ended, his feelings burst forth. It
was the prayer of the publican: "God be merciful unto me a sinner!"

Hours passed on. But who can fittingly describe the progress of a soul
on its way to its God? Enough, that when morning dawned on the earth
above, a better day had dawned over the soul of Marcellus in the vaults
below. His longings were completely satisfied; the load was all removed;
the Christians; secret was his; and with rapture unfelt before, he could
now sing the song of the Christian:

"Unto Him that loved us,
To Him that washed us from our sins
In his own blood,
To Him be glory and dominion
For ever and ever."

CHAPTER VI.

THE CLOUD OF WITNESSES.

"These all died in faith."

The new convert soon learned more of the Christians. After a brief
repose he rose and was joined by Honorius, who offered to show him the
nature of the place where they lived.

Those whom he had seen at the chapel service formed but a small part of
the dwellers in the catacombs. Their numbers rose to many thousands, and
they were scattered throughout its wide extent in little communities,
each of which had its own means of communication with the city.

He walked far on, accompanied by Honorius. He was astonished at the
numbers of people whom he encountered; and though he knew that the
Christians were numerous, yet he did not suppose that so vast a
proportion would have the fortitude to choose a life in the cataco