Charles Maitland

The Church In The Catacombs Charles Maitland

This is a reproduction (facsimile) of the original book published in 1847. It is difficult now to realise the impression which must have been made upon the first explorers of this subterranean city. A vast necropolis, rich in the bones of saints and martyrs; a stupendous testimony to the truth of Christian history, and, consequently, to that of Christianity itself; a faithful record of the trials of a persecuted Church; such were the objects presented to their view and so great was the enthusiasm with which they devoted themselves to the research, that two of the earliest writers on the Catacombs of Rome, Bosio and Boldetti, occupied thirty years each in collecting materials for their respective works, which in both instances remained to be edited by their survivors. When we consider the importance attached to relics by the Church of Rome, we shall not be surprised to find that the heads of her antiquarians were fairly turned by their discoveries. In the first transports of joy, Rome boasted that her cemeteries contained as many trophies as epitaphs, as many martyrs as sepulchres. And, without departing from historical truth, there was enough to excite enthusiasm. Scattered throughout the gloomy corridors, countless martyrs "lay in glory, every one in his own house." Here had stood Stephen, when the sword of the impious abruptly cut short his episcopal benediction; here had crouched Liberius, content to worship the Trinity in darkness and privation; and here had mingled the blood of bishop and deacon, when Xystus and Quartus fell side by side.