LAST DAYS OF THE MARTYRS: TRUE ACCOUNTS OF THE MARTYRDOM OF BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN, by Andrew R. Bonar. Kilmarnock: John Ritchie, Limited. Illustrated. Price 2s.
This is one of a series of books being issued by Messrs John Ritchie, Kilmarnock. The volume contains interesting and affecting accounts of the last days of many of God’s faithful witnesses from Polycarp to Richard Cameron. The author has not confined his attention to one country, but includes Bohemia, France, Spain, Italy, England, and Scotland in his survey of martyrs to the truth of God. The story of the aged Polycarp is well known, but the affecting story of Vivia Perpetua, the young married Roman lady, who was appealed to by her father to retract from her profession of Christ, and when every argument failed he asked her to do so for the infant at her breast; but love of Christ triumphed over the tender love of a mother, and she laid down her life for her Saviour. One cannot read such accounts without tears filling the eyes. All honour to the grace that made weak women strong, and made them triumph over deep natural affection.