Chaplain Len Patterson - Army of Trans-Mississippi
The Blood of Martyrs
Marcus Aurelius emperor of Rome (161-180) regarded it his duty to maintain the state religion and exterminate Christianity. During his reign, thousands of Christians, without regard for their age or sex, were subjected to cruel and barbarous torture and death. They were tortured "from morning till night," we are told. Blandina, a female Christian, while suffering intense pain and humiliation, would only yell, "I am a Christian! I am a Christian!"
During this time, Polycarp, who had studied under the Apostle John and ultimately became the leader of the church at Smyrna (In modern-day Turkey), was brought before a Roman magistrate. The magistrate, kindly as he could be under the circumstances, all but begged Polycarp to just go through the motions of denying Christ. Then he could go home and be with his grandchildren.
Polycarp replied firmly, "Eighty and six years have I served Christ and He has done me nothing but good. How then could I deny Him?" Then he went on to say, "Am I to pretend to not know who I am, hear my free confession. I am a Christian." He was burned alive.
The example of steadfast faith by so many early Christians under such ferocious persecution impressed the multitudes to the extent that, within another 150 years, the entire Roman world was "Christianized." Even to this day, Christians can be inspired by the sacrifice of these early Saints. No wonder it has been said, "The Christian Church was built on the blood of martyrs.
I am mindful that when I put a cross on my lapel, walk out of my house carrying a Bible, or in any way proclaim my faith and love for the Lord, how easy it is, in this time and place, to say, "I am a Christian." There was a time when such actions could, and often did, result in great suffering and death. But it was they, these early Christian martyrs, who under the guidance and strength of God's Spirit, spared not their own bodies and built the Lord's Church. For this, they are worthy of our deepest respect.
I am also mindful of the hardship and shed blood of our Confederate forefathers from whom we are descended. I am mindful of the sacrifice, pain, and destruction leveled on Southern civilians and property by an invading Union army. I am mindful of the careless and inhuman treatment of the South during and following the War for Southern Independence. I am mindful of Southern states which asked their citizens to suffer, fight, and die in their defence, but now refuse to honor their sacrifice, and instead give in to the politically correct crowd who don't know the difference between being educated and being brainwashed. And, I hear Confederate blood from a thousand hills crying, "Where is our respect?"
I am a Christian. And while some may shun me because of it, they aren't going to feed me to lions. I am also the proud descendant of a brave Confederate Soldier, and a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. I can say this with ease, to anyone who will listen, but I must strive to be worthy. Worthy of the blood of our Confederate Ancestors, and worthy of the blood of martyrs.
Bro. Len Patterson, Th.D.;
Army of Trans-Mississippi Chaplain