IT is more than fifteen hundred years since little Cyril lived, and his birthplace was Caesarea, in Asia Minora long way from us. Cyril was thought a very happy boy by the children of Caesarea. His father had a beautiful estate, with every luxury, and numbers of slaves to serve him; and Cyril being the eldest son, all these good things were to be his own one day, should he outlive his father. He had plenty of playfellows, and all things to make him happy as regards this world.
But the people of Caesarea were heathen. They did not know the true God, and lived in great sin and wickedness. Cyril’s father worshipped false gods, and taught his child to do the same. The only thought Cyril had of heaven was a place where these gods lived, and where those who served them would go some day, and have all the sinful pleasure their wicked hearts could delight in. The people of Cæsarea thought these gods were just like themselves―only much powerful and more wicked. So we can understand that the more poor Cyril worshipped them the more sinful he would become. Though the boys of Caesarea might envy Cyril’s happiness, we must pity the poor heathen child, when we think what the Bible tells us must be the end of all these sinful things.
And God pitied little Cyril. He had set His great love upon him, and had marked him for His own. In His wise and gracious providence, He sent some of His poor, despised servants to Caesarea, who preached to the heathen to turn to God from idols. They told them of God’s wonderful love in sending His only-begotten Son into this world to become a man, and to suffer far sinners upon the cross, that whosoever believeth, in Him should not perish, but should have everlasting life. God caused little Cyril not only to hear the servants of the true God preach the glad tidings, but, by His Holy Spirit, He opened Cyril’s heart to receive His blessed word. And this dear child turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven.
It was indeed the work of God’s Holy Spirit to cause this boy, brought up in darkness, and taught to hate Christians, as haters of his father’s gods, to turn from false religion and from the pleasures of sin to become a follower of Jesus, and a bearer of His cross.
Cyril heard of God’s love, and believed it. He heard of Jesus dying for sinners, and he put all his trust in His precious death. For the first time he knew what it was to love the God he worshipped, and to look up to heaven as a holy place, where all are happy, because all are good and holy like the Lord Jesus. Cyril heard, too, that those who shall live forever in that holy home above must not be ashamed to confess the Lord Jesus before men, but must meekly suffer for His sake. Did this offend the child, in whose heart Jesus now dwelt by faith? No. He only thought how little he could suffer in return for Jesus’ love to him. It was this that gave him the martyr-spirit to fulfill those solemn words which he heard the Christian teacher read out of God’s book: “Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of Man confess before the angels of God,” (Luke 12:88Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: (Luke 12:8).)
Cyril might well value these precious words, for the emperor had just made a law to take away the life of man, woman, or child who should dare to confess that Jesus is the Son of God, or that should refuse to worship the heathen gods.
It was not long before the father found out that his child had ceased to worship the gods. He questioned him, and commanded the boy never to mention that Name again. Cyril bore his father’s angry words with christian meekness; but he resolved, by God’s help, never to deny the Saviour, come what might.
When the father saw that his threats had not succeeded in causing the child to forsake Christ, he punished him repeatedly; but Cyril did not murmur, and only prayed God to forgive his father and turn his heart to Christ.
His father, finding that nothing he could say would alter Cyril’s purpose, consulted with his heathen friends as to what he should do with him, He was his only son, and a good and affectionate boy; but he loved Jesus Christ, and that being an unpardonable offense in the father’s eyes, he said to his friends, “I have determined what to do. I will obey the emperor; although Cyril is my own son, I will deliver him to the judge to be punished.” His friends praised him for this speech, and helped him to carry it out without delay.
Poor Cyril was driven from his home; and his father told him he would no more acknowledge him as his son. His former playfellows joined in jeering and persecuting him, though a little before they had been so fond of him.
Cyril was brought before the judge to answer for his conduct in forsaking his father’s gods. He was not afraid, but grew more and more peaceful. The judge was touched with pity when he saw so young a child before him, and tried, by every persuasion, to get Cyril to give up Jesus and to worship the heathen gods. “My child,” said he, “I will pardon your faults, and your father shall receive you again. It is in your power to enjoy your father’s estate, provided you are wise and take care of your own interest.” “God will receive me,” replied Cyril. “I am not sorry that I am expelled from our house, I shall have a better mansion. I fear not death, because it will introduce me into a better life.”
When the judge saw he could not overcome the child’s faith, he ordered the soldiers to bind him, and to lead him to the place of execution, but again he pleaded with the child to turn and escape the terrible pain he was going to suffer.
Cyril only answered, “Your fire and your sword are insignificant. I go to more excellent riches. Dispatch me quickly, that I may enjoy them.”
But still the judge hoped that the boy might repent, so he gave secret orders to the soldiers to bring him back again if they should be able to cause his courage to fail at the sight of the fire in which he was to be burnt to death.
As the child was led to the fire, many wept out of pity; but Cyril, remarking their sorrow, said, “Ye should rather rejoice in conducting me to punishment. Ye know not what a city I am going to inhabit, nor what is my hope.”
Thus he went to death; and as the fire burnt his tender frame, but touched not his happy spirit, nor caused one unchristian word to escape his lips, his enemies were filled with admiration. Doubtless, the faithful death of this dear child was made the spiritual life of many who witnessed his holy joy and heard his words of living faith. And shall it be that these poor heathen were touched by this faith of a young Christian martyr, and the young readers of FAITHFUL WORDS not take this story to themselves, as though Cyril were speaking to them, and bidding them seek to know the love of Jesus as he did, that they may confess Jesus before their friends, their playmates, and in all their walks and ways?
God grant, my dear little readers, that you may meet in heaven Cyril the martyr, who suffered for Christ fifteen hundred years ago. R. W.