MARTYR

One who lays down his life, or suffers death, for the sake of religion. The word is Greek, and properly signifies a “witne .” It is applied, by way of eminence, to those who suffer in witne of the truth of the gospel. The Christian Church has abounded with martyrs, and history is filled with surprising accounts of their singular constancy and fortitude under the most cruel torments human nature was capable of suffering. The primitive Christians were falsely accused by their enemies of paying a sort of Divine worship to martyrs. Of this we have an instance in the answer of the Church of Smyrna to the suggestion of the Jews, who, at the martyrdom of Polycarp, desired the heathen judge not to suffer the Christians to carry off his body, lest they should leave their crucified master, and worship him in his stead. To which they answered, “We can neither forsake Christ , nor worship any other: for we worship him as the Son of God , but love the martyrs as the disciples and followers of the Lord , for the great affection they have shown to their King and Master.” A like answer was given at the martyrdom of Fructuosus, in Spain; for when the judge asked Eulogius, his deacon, whether he would not worship Fructuosus, as thinking that, though he refused to worship heathen idols, he might yet be inclined to worship a Christian martyr, Eulogius replied, “I do not worship Fructuosus, but him whom Fructuosus worships.” The first martyr in the Christian Church was St. Stephen. His memory is celebrated on the day which bears his name. In the collect for that day, he is expre ly named the “first Martyr St. Stephen,” and we are there taught to pray God , that we may “learn to love and ble our persecutors, by following this ble ed martyr’s example.” The Church loves to dwell on the memory of those who have yielded up even their lives in a faithful attachment to their Redeemer, and who, from the midst of the fires, could rejoice in God , and trust in his grace. In that beautiful hymn, the Te Deum , their memory is celebrated in the words,—“The noble army of martyrs praise thee.” And well may they be counted “an army ,” whether we consider their numbers or their valour; and a “ noble army,” because, as true soldiers of Christ , these have fought against sin with their lives in their hands, and, in the apostolic phrase, “have resisted unto blood.” The Church of England can boast of the only royal martyr. Our glorious martyr, King Charles I., having been dethroned by the Presbyterians, was murdered by the Independents.— Brought on.