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"rrHE CATACOMBS OF ROME,"

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"rrHE CATACOMBS OF ROME," On Fridaj evening last, at the Young Men's Christian Association Rooms, Brighton Road, the Rev. J. Jenkins, M. A. delivered a. lecture on the above subject. The evening was very cold and damp, and that no doubt prevented a great many from being present. However, there was a res- pectable and appreciative audience. Capt. Wynne Jones presided, and on rising to address the audience lie was received with cheers. He said he felt very great pleasure in meeting those present, and especially as he saw present several young men belonging to the Christian Association. It seemed to him that the Association brought young men together for one common object—namely, to get them to devote thei" lives to that which was good and true (hear, heir. Ihere was nothing in the world more discouraging than isolation; and in the moral world, like every other, union and co-operation was strength (applause.) There was one certain advantage connected with the entertainments provided for young men in connection with that Association- there was no danger of anything that would shock their religious fceliugs (hear, hear.) He had attended entertainments at which imprecations had been used which he did not approve of and lie bad been shocked to hear irreverent ejaculations being laughted at and even applauded by people who professed themselves Christians. Whether the audience be large or small, to gain the applause of nwn was a very poor exchange for offending deity—(applause) and it was no sign of manli- ness, no mark of superior intelligence, to smile or approve of irreverence (applause.) As to the subject of that evening's lecture he thought it was a very appropriate one in connection with a Young Men's Christian Association. They all knew that Rome was at one time the centre of civilization and Christianity. He had had the advantage of a visit to Rome. The benefit and the enjoyment to be derived from a visit to the eternal "eity de- pended a great deal upon the amount of knowledge they took with them there. If they did not possess a considerable amount of classical informa- tion beforehand, they would come away dissatisfied. The catacombs of Rome were also the most im- portant and interesting- study in the whole of Rome, inasmuch as they were interesting momentoes of the early Christians. He would not detain them further, but would call upon the llev. Mr Jenkins to deliver his lecture. The Rev. J. Jenkins, M.A., who was heartily applauded on rising, then delivered his lecture, which was of a most interesting character. In the commencement Mr Jenkins stated that he was not going to read his lecture, for the very good reason that lie had no written lecture prepared (laughter.) He also wished his audience to understand that the lecture he was about to deliver was not taken as the result of his own personal investigations. He was not an arehseologist nor the son of one. Neither had he like the worthy chairman, ever c been to Rome-he had never seen nor visited the catacombs. That, in the first place, would require more time than he could afford; and a heavier purse than lie possessed (laughter.) He was going to talk to them in the simplest and homeliest manner about the catacombs of Rome. There was no subject more interesting and more full of instruction, especially as bearing upon the history of the Christian Church. It was the second chapter in ecclesiastical history, taking the Acts of the Apostles to be the first; or as external evidence of Christianity he would say the catacombs of Rome opened the first chapter, and had also a very important bearing upon the internal evidence. Having- explained that the word "catacombs" signified underground ex- cavations, Mr Jenkins went on to speak of the literature of the catacombs, which was very ex. tensive, especially in Italian, French, and German but in English very meagre. He knew of only one work in English on the subject—that of Dr Maitland, published oo years ago. All their knowledge concerning" the catacombs they owed to learned Catholic priests and learned Catholic archccologists and ht; felt compelled to admit that they had dealt with the subject very fairly and honestly, although, owing to the prejudice which was the effect of early education, they had been led to draw inferences which were wrong and misleading. He then spoke of the origin of the catacombs and remarked that they were onlv to be found in tne neighbourhood of ancient large cities. What were supposed to be catacombs were to be found in Italy, tlm south of Naples, the Greek Isles, &c., but they all sank into itliguiti cance as compared with the catacombs of Rome. Their origin was traced back to the first three (Centuries of Christianity. He then procoeclel to give a description of the inscriptions, being ae aided by a series of large-sized facsimiles. We will not attempt a report of Mr Jenkins's treatment of this part of the subject, which was exceedingly in teresting, his explanations of the writings engraved on the tombs being listened to with rapt attention. Raferring to their extent he stated that the cata c )mbs reached from Rome down towards the river Tigrus some 15 or 20 miles in one direction, and 10 miles in another—Rome was literally honey- combed, perforated through and i ingh with them. Speaking of the inscriptions o^'the tombs of the Christians, he remarked upon the terms made use of, which were beautiful beyond con- ception— there was no truth the early Christians believed in more firmly than that of the resur- rection of the dead. The term déjJositrts in pave he remarked upon especially. He then referred to some of the uses to which the catacombs had beeu employed, such as p1 3cs of refuge and security in times of persecutio In a humorous and attractive manner he explained the use of the monograms, the drawings of tools, &c., which were to be found on many of the most ancient tombs. This brief, imperfect outline will give our readers some idea of the really beautiful and highly interesting lecture delivered by Mr Jenkins. He avoided controversial questions altogether, but concluded with quoting the testimony of Dr Maitland, who stated that after minuately examining about 3,000 inscriptions in the cata- combs of Rome, he had not fouud upon any of those which belonged to the earlier centuries of Christian- ity any trace, not a siugle proof favourable to the doctrine of Manoralty, tne invocation if the mass (as they understood it now) transub- j stantiation nor the celibacy of the clergy—lie' meant the forced celibacy of the clergy (laughter.) After some humorous remarks on hi. last JIIentio"e.i question, the speaker concluded amid loud ap- plause. On the motion of Mr Asher, seconded by Mr W. Reynolds, a very hearty vote of thanks was passe t to the chairman and the lecturer, which, being acknowledged, terminated the meeting.

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