is hands, and he will give us no more
than we can bear. Let us be sober and watch and pray, O Marcellus, for
the present storm tells us plainly that the great and terrible day so
long expected is at hand."

Thus Marcellus walked about with Honorius, conversing and learning new
things every hour about the doctrines of God's truth and the experiences
of his people. The sight of their love, their purity, their fortitude,
their faith, sank deeply into his soul.

The experience which he too had felt was not transient. Every new sight
but strengthened his desire to unite himself with the faith and fortunes
of the people of God. Accordingly, before the following Lord's day he
was baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

On the morning of the Lord's day he sat around the table of the Lord in
company with other Christians. There they held that simple and affecting
ceremony by which the Christians showed forth the death of Jesus.
Honorius offered up the prayer for blessing on the repast. And for the
first time Marcellus partook of the wine and the bread, the sacred
symbols of the body and blood of his dying Lord.

"And when they had sung a hymn, they went out."

CHAPTER VII.

THE CONFESSION OF FAITH.

"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
persecution."

Four days had elapsed since the young soldier had left his chamber.
Eventful days they had been to him; days full of infinite importance.
Endless weal or woe had hung upon their issue. But the search of this
earnest soul after the truth had not been in vain.

His resolution had been taken. On the one side lay fame, honor, and
wealth; on the other, poverty, want, and woe; yet he had made his
choice, and turned to the latter without a moment's hesitation. He chose
rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the
pleasures of sin for a season.

Upon his return he visited the general and reported himself. He informed
him that he had been among the Christians, that he could not execute his
commission, and was willing to take the consequences. The general
sternly ordered him to his quarters.

Here in the midst of deep meditation, while, conjecturing what might be
the issue of all this, he was interrupted by the entrance of Lucullus.
His friend greeted him most affectionately, but was evidently full of
anxiety.

"I have just seen the general," said he, "who sent for me to give me a
mess