THE THREE MARTYRS.
IN East Bourn, on the coast of Sussex, England, when the tide is out, may be seen three iron stakes driven firmly into the sand. They are very old and rusty, the largest one, which is out in the sand at low-water-mark, being nearly rusted off. The second in size is about halfway between the low and high watermarks, and the smallest is not far from the shore.
Many, many years ago a father and mother and their little daughter, because of their religion, were chained to those stakes when the tide was out, and told that if they did not renounce their faith, they would be drowned by the rising tide.
The father was chained down where the waves washed his feet, and priests stood by him, arguing with and cursing him until the rising water drove them back and he was drowned. Then they stood around the mother and child and tried to persuade them to give up the truth and so save their lives, but they would not. Slowly the waves crept up to the mother and rose above her feet, and knees, and shoulders; and the little girl saw her mother drown as she had seen her father.
Then all the priests gathered around her, and asked her questions, and promised her a happy life if she would give up her religion. But though she was a gentle, timid child by nature, and had sat on the cold sand six long hours, and was weary, and the dashing waters shocked and chilled her, she asked God to give her courage and strength to suffer and die rather than give up his truth. Then his sweet, strengthening grace came into her heart, and she said, "If you give me all the world, I would not deny my Saviour. He will give me eternal life if I am faithful." And after a big wave had washed over her head and nearly strangled her, they said, "You may be saved if you will recant."
But she said, "No, no, I will die for Jesus. He died for me."
And thus she died; but the angels know where she rests, and when Jesus comes and awakes all the dead, and sends his angels to gather his dear saints, they will take that little girl, with her father and mother, and bear them away to meet their Saviour in the skies.
"I beheld, and lo, a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and peoples, and tongues stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.
These are they, which have come out of great tribulation and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Revelation 7.
Sarah. C. Taylor.