CHRIST OR DIANA.

Evening Star, Issue 13002, 22 December 1906, Page 13

CHRIST OR DIANA.

A CHRISTMAS STORY. A.D. 4L [Br Theodokb Amcom, North-east Valley.] Do you ask me now. to tell you how Paulina died, How she triumphed, how defeated lofty Pagan Choosing Christ before Diana, bravo before them all. Though they pleaded, stormed, and threatened in the judgment hall. Father, lover, friends besought her, by the love they hore; She, still faithful, constant to the Christ whom we adore, In her tender, youthful beauty, scorned to act a He, Nobly yielded up her life’s blood, grandly dared to die. Can you in your minds now see the lofty temple, graced . With the Imago of Diana, Ephesian goddes? chaste? There, a group of surly soldiers, mouthing brutal jests; Here, tho judge, who, stem and solemn, wore the eagle crest; While around the Christian maiden loving friends were seen. Seeking her to make disloyal who had faithful been. . listen, while I now attempt to toll with pen of mine How a woman died and triumphed for the Christ Divine. “Paulina, sister, be courageous! Call on Josus' name; Die, if need be, for the Saviour; heed not now the shamo! If thou would'st ho His disciple, hear His ‘Follow Me’; - . ... Scorn to worship their Diana, though they set thee free.” .... .. Thus spoke noble Aristarchus in bis sister’s As Within the courthouse stood she, white with frenzied fear. ' , With a martyr’s death they threaten her who scorns to bow - Dow in worshin to Diana, their false goddess " Daughter, listen to thy father, as he pleads to thee — Thou my only darling, who eo ott upon my Sat and listened as I prayed tho gods a happy fate . To bestow upon ray loved one. Disappoint their hate. . Do but now pretend to worship; they will let thee live; ~ . , Ho, thy Saviour, knowing all things, surely will forgive.” , “Maid,” the Judge's voice is heard now, “ thou knewest, the charge they bring. Thou art accused of heresy. Thou sayest that Christ is King. Knoweat thou tho fate awaiting thee if thou dost still refuse At Diana’s shrine to worship? Thou hast now but to choose Life, the worship of our goddess, wi,h all that life can bring, Or death with Jesus, whom, ’tis said, thou hast confessed thy King. ’Twore sad that one so fair, so young, should fill dishonor’d grave. I bid thee, therefore, now recant, if thou thy life would save.” Tho maiden upward glanced, but ere tho silence broke Her lover’s touch was on her arm, and thus ho fondly spoke: "Light of my life, my every hope on earth art thou, . ~ And I had sworn to safely shield from every care thy brow. Beloved, hear mo plead! Paulina, stall be Take tho incense even now, dear;- bend before the shrine. Thou art my life, my love, my all! Oh, darling, think of me! Thy lover, father, both are pleading! Worship and bo free!” Thus the victim sadly answered: fahall I fear to die? , To save inv own unworthy life, my Masters name deny? I still will glory by His name, e’en with my latest breath. Dost thou not know that I have been baptised into His death? And could I so disloyal prove in order to be free? How could’st thou think mo, lover mine, a fitting wife for thee? O Judge, I am resolved that I will still to Jesus faithful be, Diana spurn, tho Christ now choose, with Heaven eternally.” “Here, then,” t'-e angry Judge replied; “tins is our Court's decree: To-morrcw is called Chrisfs-mass, the last one thou shalt see! To beasts of prey thy body fair and lovely shall be cast, And all thy, joy and all thy hope for ever shall be past! Or if, as. Thou dost fondly hope, eternal life bo given To those whoso trust is in thy Lord, go. join Him there in Heaven!” . And so it came to pass that on that Christmas Day Paulina’s soul took flight from earth, and soared to Heaven away, To meet the Lord of Glory, whose name we a 1! revere. To rprnd a happy Christmas, a bright and glad New Year.