Polycarp.
Upon hearing that the persons in search of him were close at hand, he retired to another village. Herein his conduct is in marked contrast to that of some who eagerly sought martyrdom, making it a work of merit, whereby they might escape the fires of hell, and gain the joys of heaven.
The officers came to his house, and, not finding him, they seized two servants, from one of whom, by torture, they extracted the secret of Polycarp’s hiding place.
Taking this servant as guide they came to the house where Polycarp was staying. He was lying in an upper room, from which he could have made his escape (for the houses were flat roofed), but he would not; saying, “The will of the Lord be done.” When the officers entered, he came down, and conversed with them, and ordered refreshments to be set before them, begging to be allowed one hour, without interruption, to pray: “Which being granted,” the letter says, “he prayed standing; and was so full of the grace of God that he could not cease from speaking for two hours.” When he had finished they set him on an ass and led ‘him to the city. The Irenarch, Herod, and his father, Nicetes, met him, and took him into their chariot, and began to advise him, saying, “What harm is it to say, ‘Lord Caesar,’ and to sacrifice, and be safe?” At first he was silent, but, being pressed, he said, “I will not follow your advice.” When they saw that they could not persuade him, they thrust him out of the chariot, so roughly or carelessly that in falling he bruised his thigh. But, still unmoved, he went on cheerfully under the conduct of his guards to the Stadium.
Being brought to the tribunal, the Proconsul asked him if he were Polycarp; to which he assented. The Proconsul then began to exhort him: “Have pity on thine own great age”—and the like. Say, “Away with the Atheists,” meaning the Christians. Polyearp turned to the multitudes, and waving his hand towards them, said, while looking up to heaven “Away with the Atheists.” The Proconsul continued to urge him, said, “Swear, and I will release thee—revile Christ.” Polycarp said, “Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He hath never wronged me. How can I blaspheme my King, who hath saved me?”
Much more passed—threats of wild beasts and fire; but all in vain. Polycarp was filled with joy, while the Proconsul was manifestly embarrassed. However, he sent the herald to proclaim, “Polycarp hath professed himself a Christian.” Upon this, the crowd, a mixture of Jews and Gentiles, cried out, with rage, “This is the teacher of Asia, the father of the Christians, the subverter of our gods, who hath taught many not to sacrifice nor to adore.” They at first desired that a lion should be let out against Polycarp; but, this being refused, they shouted unanimously that he should be burnt alive.
No time was lost,—the people gathering fuel from the neighboring workshops and baths, in which occupation the Jews distinguished themselves. As soon as the fire was ready, he undressed. Immediately he was led to the stake, but, when they were about to fasten him, he said, “Let me remain as I am; for He who giveth me strength to sustain the fire, will enable me also, without your securing me with nails, to remain unmoved in the fire.” So they bound him, without nailing. He then prayed, and when he had pronounced “Amen” aloud, the officers lighted the fire. And so passed this humble, faithful man into the presence of that blessed Master whose love he had known for eighty and six years.
“My heart is fixed, eternal God;
Christ for me:
And my immortal choice is made;
Christ for me.”
ML 08/09/1903