ST. THECLA 248 entertainers. He spoke in praise of purity and the love of God ; and among other things, he said, '* Blessed are they who control themselves, for Qod shall speak with them. . . . Blessed are the bodies and souls of yirgins for they shall be pleasing nnto Gk>d alld the reward of their holiness shall not be lost . . . there shall be found for them works unto life. . . . Theclasatat a window, adjoining the roof of that house, and she was much fascinated with the teaching of the apostle, listening to his prayers and to all that he said, but not seeing him. She saw many women going into the house to learn of him. Theocleia, vexed that her daughter should be thus absorbed, sent for Thamyris, her son-in- law elect. He ran joyfully to the house, thinking the mother was going to say that they should soon be married. To his surprise, she said, *'I have some- thing new to tell you : Thecla has not stirred from that window for three days and nights, either to eat or drink ; she is perverted like a great many women and men too of this city, by the foolish words of a strange man ; but perhaps she will speak to you." Thamyris gently reproached Thecla for her extraordinary conduct, but when he could not win her attention at all, he w^pt and so did her mother and all the servants, Thecla all the while listening with her whole mind to the words of St. Paul. Thamyris left the house, and soon entered into conversation with some of the people. He took Demas and Hermogenes, the false friends who had come with St. Paul, and feasted them at his house, and after telling them that his betrothed had given him up because of the influence of this man, he heard from them that St. Paul was a Christian, a teacher of the new doctrine, and that his best plan was to denounce him to Castelius, the " hegem6n " (governor), who would put him to death, and Thamyris might then marry Thecla. Next morning, Thamyris, Demas, and Hermogenes, with a number of the people, dragged St. Paul to the governor, who asked him who he was and what he was teaching. The apostle said he was sent by God to rescue people from destruction and unclean- ness, that they might sin no more. Castelius sent him to prison, intending to bear more of his doctrine another time. When Thecla heard what had happened, she gave her bracelets to the door-keeper of her house, to bribe him to open the door for her. Then she went to the jailor and gave him her golden mirror, that he might bring her to the prisoner, and she went and listened to the great things of God, which he waB teaching to all the prisoners, and she kissed tiie chains that bound his hands and feet. Next morning, Thecla's family sought for her in extreme anxiety. At last they found her amongst the others, listening to the great teacher. They ran and complained to the governor. He sent for St. Paul. When the men took him away, Thecla threw herself weeping on the ground where he had been sitting and teaching. Castelius summoned Thecla. All the people cried out, "Destroy this magician 1" The governor called Thecla and asked her why she was giving up her betrothal, but Thecla stood loolang at St. Paul with- out answering the governor. Then her mother was provoked and cried out, "Bum the fool in the midst of the theatre that all the women may see her and be afraid I " Although the governor was sorry for her, he condemned her to be burned ; at the same time he ordered St. Paul to be scourged and cast out of the city. The governor and all the people went to the theatre that they might see Thecla burned. Thecla meanwhile looked everywhere for St. PauL Among the crowd she saw the Lord Jesus in the likeness of Paul, sitting beside her. She wondered that St. Paul had come, as if she were not able to bear whatever should come upon her ; but as she looked intently at him, the Lord ascended into heaven. Then the youths and maidens brought faggots to bum her. At this the governor wept and wondered at the strength of her determination. She ascended the pile and spread out her hands in the form of the Cross. Eain and hail fell and extinguished the fire, and not so much as a hair of hers was even singed, but some of the spectators perished. She went in search of St.
