Rome. It chanced that, the Queen of England was also visiting Italy at that time, so we drove into the City of Rome to catch a glimpse of her. This effort was a total failure, but we milled around with the mbb in our car and came upon a large number of trucks filled with men waving red flags and singing the Communist Victory Song, THE INTERNATIONALE. Italy is one of the strong communistic countries— outside of China and Russia. This is surprising to me for one would think that the Roman Catholic Church could hold them at bay right in their head quarters. Naturally, we went to the Colosseum because of its tie into the history of our Christian faith. There is no way in which to express one’s feelings when looking at that great Arena and visual izing the martyrdom of the thousands of saints as a sport when the Roman Empire was at its height. I was sur prised to find one of the best preserved ruins in the world. The walls are al most intact. Fully 50,000 people must have gazed upon those gory scenes of mad cruelty that took place within those walls during the first three cen turies of this era. There seems not to have been a roof, but tier after tier of seats where the people sat are easily seen. Even a place is marked where Nero sat upon a special throne. The places where the lions were kept are still there, even the ramps that led from the cages into the Colosseum. The original floor of the Arena has been re moved recently so that sight-seers may see all the places the gladiators met and where the lions were incarcerated. As you stand you can visualize the whole scene. I think that God has preserved the Colosseum to remind Christians of fu ture generations how those early Chris tians suffered for their testimony. What a wonderful privilege it will be when we get to heaven to meet that company of blood-washed saints who laid down their lives in the days of Nero!
“ He Leadeth Me"
He leadeth me. In pastures green? No, not always. Sometimes He who knoweth best In kindness leadeth me in weary ways Where heavy shadows be; Out o f the sunshine warm and soft and bright. Out of the sunshine into darkest night. I oft would yield to sorrow and to fright Only for this: I know He holds my hand, So, whether led in green, or desert land, I trust, although I cannot understand. He leadeth me. Beside still waters? No, not always so. Ofttlmes the heavy tempests round me blow, And o'er my soul the waves and billows go. But when the storm beats wildest, and I cry Aloud for help, the Master standeth by And whispers to my soul, "Lo, it is Above the tempest wild I hear Him say: "Beyond the darkness lies the perfect day; In every path of thine I lead the way." So, whether on the hilltops, high and fair, I dwell, or in the sunless valleys, where The shadows lie— what matter? He is there. And more than this; where'er the pathway lead He gives to me no helpless, broken reed, But His own hand, sufficient for my need. So where He leads me 1 can safely go. And in the blest hereafter I shall know Why in His wisdom He hath led me so.
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