What One Man Can Do
Preaching
Windows For Life
Inspirational And Devotional Illustrations
The Roman Catholic monk, Polemicus, dared to oppose gladiatorial death in the Coliseum of Rome.
Though the Emperor, Constantine, had ruled such acts of carnage were wrong, after his death, when a century had passed, Christians were being destroyed by gladiators in the Coliseum, with even emperors present for the scenes.
But one day, after a bloody exercise before a huge crowd, it stirred this Roman Catholic monk so greatly that he left his place in the rows of seats and was next seen out in the arena. He began to shout to the crowd and denounce what they had witnessed that day.
One version of the story says that Polemicus challenged others to join him before the gladiators. Slowly others came and joined him, until there were more of them than there were gladiators on the field.
The Emperor was there that day and was deeply stirred by the courage of Polemicus. A royal decree was sent out banishing the murderous gladiatorial scenes, and never again was there such terrible carnage in the Coliseum.
Martin Luther in his great hymn, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," expressed the God-given support Polemicus had received to be able to do what he did.
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure
One little word shall fell him.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He
Lord Sabaoth His name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
Though the Emperor, Constantine, had ruled such acts of carnage were wrong, after his death, when a century had passed, Christians were being destroyed by gladiators in the Coliseum, with even emperors present for the scenes.
But one day, after a bloody exercise before a huge crowd, it stirred this Roman Catholic monk so greatly that he left his place in the rows of seats and was next seen out in the arena. He began to shout to the crowd and denounce what they had witnessed that day.
One version of the story says that Polemicus challenged others to join him before the gladiators. Slowly others came and joined him, until there were more of them than there were gladiators on the field.
The Emperor was there that day and was deeply stirred by the courage of Polemicus. A royal decree was sent out banishing the murderous gladiatorial scenes, and never again was there such terrible carnage in the Coliseum.
Martin Luther in his great hymn, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," expressed the God-given support Polemicus had received to be able to do what he did.
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure
One little word shall fell him.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He
Lord Sabaoth His name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
