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Show ( 1DHO SAID "Nothing has such power to broaden broad-en the mind as the ability to Investigate Investi-gate systematically and truly all that comes under thy observation In life." IT IS n peculiar thine that the innn who uttered this plea for breadth of vision and generosity In i.r.. . differing opiDlons, should have been one of the best und noblest emperors of ancient Rome and at the same time one nf the most insistent and harsh persecutors of the Christians. His persecution is all the harder to understand under-stand when we consider that this man, Marcus Aurelius, left a collection of his meditations which are fn striking harmony with the religion of Jesus Christ. Marcus Aurelius was the adopted sod and son-in-law and successor to the Iiomnn emperor, Antonlus Pius. He ascended to the throne of Rome In the year 161, and until the year 1R9 reigned jointly with his adopted brother Lucius Verus. In that year the hitter died and Marcus Aurelius became the sole ruler of Rome. Few men were better emperors of Home than Marcus Aurelius, but he had his enemies and the tribes to the nurth of Rome were particularly trou-blesome trou-blesome during his reign. A legend Is told concerning his campaign against these northern tribes which, it would seem, should have been sufficient to turn the emperor from his persecution of the Christians. The story runs that on a certain day the Roman army was caught in f narrow defile, unable to advance because be-cause of the enemy, and unable to retreat. re-treat. There was no water to be had and the soldiers were fainting of exhaustion. ex-haustion. ' At this moment a band of Christians who belonged to the legion came forward and prayed for rain. Not only, did the water pour down tn torrents, but a terrific hailstorm set in which thoroughly demoralized the enemy and brought victory to the Romans. There is no record, however, of the emperor ceasing his persecutions. persecu-tions. Marcus Aurelius died In what Is now the city of Vienna-, Austria, In the year ISO, while on a campaign. Wayne D. McMurray. 9 by George Matthew Adams.) |