The Martyrs of Jesus

The Testimony of the Early Christian Martyrs

The Testimony of the Twelve

And if Christ be not raised,
Your faith is vain;
Ye are yet in your sins.
(1 Cor. 15:17)

What was the core message in the preaching of the early Christians? It was namely that Jesus is resurrected Lord who conquered physical death. The fact that resurrection was a prominent theme in the early preaching of the Christians could be witnessed by another fact that some of the Gentiles thought that Christians had two gods, namely Jesus and Anastasia. How was that possible? Simply by the reflection of the fact that the Greek word of "resurrection" is anastasis . In The Acts of the Apostles we can read the following episode in the life of the Apostle Paul.

"Therefore he disputed in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the marketplace daily with those who met with him. Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans and of the Stoics encountered him. And some said, "What will this babbler say?" And some others said, "He seemeth to be a proclaimer of strange gods," because he preached unto them Jesus and the resurrection. And they took him and brought him unto the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new doctrine is whereof thou speakest? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears, and we would know therefore what these things mean." (For all the Athenians and strangers who were there spent their time in nothing else than either telling or hearing some new thing.) Then Paul stood in their midst on Mars' Hill and said, "Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription: 'To the Unknown God'. Whom therefore ye worship in ignorance, Him I declare unto you. God who made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of Heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands. Neither is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things. And He hath made of one blood all nations of men, and caused them to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined their appointed times, and the bounds of their habitation, that they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might feel after Him and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us. 'For in Him we live, and move, and have our being.' As also certain of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.' "For inasmuch, then, as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold or silver or stone, graven by art and of man's devising. The times of this ignorance God overlooked, but now He commandeth all men everywhere to repent, because He hath appointed a Day in which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained. Of this He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead." But when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked and others said, "We will hear thee again on this matter." So Paul departed from among them." (Acts 17:17-33)

In the above passage we observe of the historical quality of description of the events. Writer of The Acts , namely the physician Luke (who was a disciple of the Apostle Paul), didn't hide the fact how intellectuals regarded the preaching of the Apostle Paul. Notice all the historical details, e.g. that "Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill," about the Areopagus, etc. The whole book of The Acts of the Apostles has excellent historical quality that have been testified by the archaeology. Luke tells us under which rulers all those events happened, the architecture and names of certain buildings, etc. The same thing can be said about the Gospels; (one of the Canonical Gospels were written by Luke himself).

One well-known historical fact was that Jesus tomb was empty. Immediately after the crucifixion of Jesus, one thing that was sensational topic in Jerusalem was about the empty tomb of Jesus. Why was it so sensational? It was for two reasons:

It was sensational that Roman guards could let it happened that body of Jesus simply disappeared. They faced death penalty for such thing. But somehow they escaped their punishment by the protection of the High Priest. The condition to grant the pardon was that they should spread the rumour that the disciples of Jesus stole his body. They were even paid to spread such rumour. Let us see how The Gospel According to Matthew describes those events suronding the emptiness of the tomb.

"Now the next day, that following the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, saying, "Sir, we remember that that deceiver said while he was yet alive, 'After three days I will rise again.' Command therefore that the sepulcher be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night and steal him away, and say unto the people, 'He is risen from the dead,' so that the last error shall be worse than the first." Pilate said unto them, "Ye have a watch. Go your way, make it as secure as ye can." So they went and made the sepulcher secure, sealing the stone and setting up a watch."
(Mat. 27:62-66)

Notice how the chief priests and Pharisees call Jesus, namely "the deceiver." Very realistic feature of the story that confirms the historicity of the above passage. Furthermore, Matthew doesn't hide the issue about the possibility that Jesus' body could have been stolen. This is very significant point which we have to think more about it. This very point of the Matthew's historical description of the events makes it distinguished from mythological narration within ancient polytheistic religions or histories in Hinduism. In such mythologies hero would be described with fame, not mentioning any elements that could put history under doubt.

What do you think who would be the first one to witness the emptiness of Jesus' grave? If such theme were central in the myths then surely it wouldn't be some women but men with some authority who would witness the very event of resurrection; (because the testimony of the women were regarded not so reliable). Who was the first witnesses of Jesus empty grave and his resurrected body? If we read 28. chapter of Matthew, then we can read that it was Mary Magdalene and other Mary who were the first witnesses of the Great Event of the Christian Faith. Not some men of authority, but women, who were regarded as unreliable witnesses. Other interesting fact around the first witness was that Mary Magdalene had been demon possessed but who were set free when she met Jesus. So, the first witnesses of the Resurrected Lord was one person which testimony was highly questionable. If disciples did really fabricated the history of the Resurrection of Jesus, would they mention who were the first witnesses? Would they mention the possibility that they could stole his body? I don't think so.

The problem is how could they stole His body if there were Roman watch? Remember that the Gospels and The Book of Acts were written in the first century (that is verified; someone who claim that they date from the third century is influenced by the old fashioned theories from the last century. Now it was found so many fragments of papyri that date from the first century). If there wasn't Roman watch then it would be easily disclaimed by the priests, Pharisees and other governing bodies. Apostles couldn't tell such lies because such kind of lies could be easily checked by the enemies of Christ.

Other problem was that Gospels report that Apostles were cowards (remember Peter's denial) and that they very sceptical towards the possibility of Jesus' resurrection. (This very fact makes the Testimony of the Gospels very reliable.) So, would they have courage to steal his body if there were Roman watch? I don't think so. Nevertheless, those same Apostles, who were cowards and disillusioned, began to preach, with extraordinary courage, that they had meet Jesus resurrected. Thus, something happened in their lives that they were so radically changed: from cowardice to boldness. They preached in spite of the risk to be killed under torture. And they were killed as martyrs. To be witness of His resurrection did mean to be a martyr, and it is interesting that the Greek martyrion means both 'witness' and 'martyr'. I can trust in the Testimony of the Apostles because of those twelve, eleven died as martyrs. They died because they preached the resurrection of Jesus and that He was manifested God in the flesh. They were tortured, flogged and were brutally dead:

So, it is very problematic to assume that Apostles had stolen his body. But if disciples of Jesus didn't steal his body, who did, IF it was stolen? The enemies of the Christian movement didn't steal, for they could easily show his dead body to put the early stop for the rise of the new movement. Could it be some other group? Which one, and if so what possible motive could they have? It is highly implausible assumtion. So if the body was stolen, then it was stolen either of Jesus' friends or of his enemies. But both asumtion has serious drawbacks. To repeat, if it was the case that the enemies of the Christ have stolen his body then they could easily show his dead body. If it was the case that apostles have stolen his body then it is very difficult to believe that they would die as martyrs for one deception they have made.

Now someone could object and say that people are willingly ready to die for some idea, be it religious or some political. That is true. People can die for various lies and deceptions. But can people die for a self-made lie, a lie they are perfectly aware of in the virtue of the fact that they have made it? It is easy to die for one lie that you didn't made, but to die for a lie you perfectly know that it is a lie is indeed one madness! If they stole his body then they have fabricated a lie about his resurrection, which they were perfectly aware of. Remeber that they were quite simple fishers and not some kind of mystics. They had quite a pragmatical mind. So why should they fabricate some lie and brutally die for it? It is quite implausible to assume such possibility. Perhaps one person could do it, but to say that all twelve died for a lie they have fabricated is really difficult to accept. It is psychologically very implausible hypothesis. To repeat, we can perhaps think that one person could be willingly to undergo torture and martyrdom for self-fabricated deception, but all twelve? Hm, ..., sounds very implausible.

Also we have to remind us that there wasn't only those twelve who met Jesus resurrected. Paul tells us this:

"And that he was burried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures (meaning the prophetic scriptures who predicted that Messiah would rise from the death, my comment). And that he was seen of Cephas (Peter), then of twelve. After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep." (1 Corinthian 15:4-7)

Of course, my offered reasons are not proofs in the strict (philosophical) sense of the word. But I claim that my belief in the historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is founded on very high plausible grounds. I am also not prejudiced in my judgement over this issue. What I mean by this is that my judgments will not not be influenced by the fact that it is physically impossible for a human being to be resurrected from the death. That would be a naturalistic prejudice that should be put under question. If we are lead by the naturalistic prejudice, that would be a question begging kind of inference in denying the possibility that Jesus had resurrected from the death. Also we should be reminded that here isn't the issue over one ordinary human being but over a being that is God manifested in human flesh. Thus, it wouldn't be philosophical acceptable to deny the possibility of resurrection on the naturalistic assumptions. That would be, what we philosophers call, a "question begging"-fallacy in the inference. Rather, we should conceptually and historically investigate this issue, by examining all extent historical documents that are relevant for the question.

And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

This seal marks the rise of the protestant Reformation, when folks protested against the bondage of Catholicism.  However, This reform actually began working in dissatisfied and hungry hearts some years prior to 1530.  For example;

John Wycliffe of the little group of Christians known as the Waldenses (named after Peter Waldo A.D. 1160, by those who opposed the truth he defended) translated the Bible into English, with the circulation of copies, the Word of God spread.

John Huss of Bohemia came in contact with some of the Wycliffe writings and being enlighten he began preaching judgment and declaring gospel truth.  In Bohemian “Huss means goose.  He was eventually burned at the stake in 1415 and while burning prophesied that although they could roast a goose, in 100 years God would send a swan they could neither roast nor boil.

Martin Luther was that swan, a catholic priest.  He cried out against indulgences and relics, as a means of pardoning sinners from their sins.  He preached justification by faith through Bible repentance.  He led the protestant reformation in Europe.

Justification was the truth that came to light during the end of the dark ages.  Luther denied the supremacy of the Pope, teaching “just shall live by faith”, that every man must have a personal contact with God.  It was 1530 when his resume’ of Protestant doctrines was presented at the Diet of Augsburg, known as the Confession of Augsburg.  This marked the closing of the dark papal night and the cloudy day of sect making begin.

When Christ opened the fifth seal which followed the 1,000 years of papal darkness, John saw souls under the altar disembodied spirits.   Those who were martyred during the apostasy of the early church.

Under this seal the souls of all those who had been slain under the first, second, third, and fourth seals are brought to view.  John saw them “under the altar”.  Upon the altar would signify active service and labor.  But under the altar signifies that their labors were done.  These souls were slain because they wouldn’t change their stand for what truth they knew.  They held their testimony.  They gave a full sacrifice.  The stood the test.

They cried with a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? These were not carnal folks, desiring their persecutors to be justly punished.  They wanted to avenge the truth.  They wanted the judgments of God to go forth. 

The Catholic priests failed to let the judgments of God’s Word go forward.  They decided they were right although they were waling in sin and under darkness.  They killed the saints for the testimony they held, labelizing them to be heretics and accusing them of preaching heresies when it was righteousness being preached.

During the protestant era there were persecutions between the Protestants and Catholics.   Following Luther souls were saved and in time Germany and England stood out for the truth, denying papal Rome as the true church.

Christ our Savior, in the Gospel of St. Matthew, hearing the confession of Simon Peter, who, first of all other, openly acknowledged Him to be the Son of God, and perceiving the secret hand of His Father therein, called him (alluding to his name) a rock, upon which rock He would build His Church so strong that the gates of hell should not prevail against it. In which words three things are to be noted: First, that Christ will have a Church in this world. Secondly, that the same Church should mightily be impugned, not only by the world, but also by the uttermost strength and powers of all hell. And, thirdly, that the same Church, notwithstanding the uttermost of the devil and all his malice, should continue.

Which prophecy of Christ we see wonderfully to be verified, insomuch that the whole course of the Church to this day may seem nothing else but a verifying of the said prophecy. First, that Christ hath set up a Church, needeth no declaration. Secondly, what force of princes, kings, monarchs, governors, and rulers of this world, with their subjects, publicly and privately, with all their strength and cunning, have bent themselves against this Church! And, thirdly, how the said Church, all this notwithstanding, hath yet endured and holden its own! What storms and tempests it hath overpast, wondrous it is to behold: for the more evident declaration whereof, I have addressed this present history, to the end, first, that the wonderful works of God in His Church might appear to His glory; also that, the continuance and proceedings of the Church, from time to time, being set forth, more knowledge and experience may redound thereby, to the profit of the reader and edification of Christian faith.

As it is not our business to enlarge upon our Savior's history, either before or after His crucifixion, we shall only find it necessary to remind our readers of the discomfiture of the Jews by His subsequent resurrection. Although one apostle had betrayed Him; although another had denied Him, under the solemn sanction of an oath; and although the rest had forsaken Him, unless we may except "the disciple who was known unto the high-priest"; the history of His resurrection gave a new direction to all their hearts, and, after the mission of the Holy Spirit, imparted new confidence to their minds. The powers with which they were endued emboldened them to proclaim His name, to the confusion of the Jewish rulers, and the astonishment of Gentile proselytes.

St. Stephen suffered the next in order. His death was occasioned by the faithful manner in which he preached the Gospel to the betrayers and murderers of Christ. To such a degree of madness were they excited, that they cast him out of the city and stoned him to death. The time when he suffered is generally supposed to have been at the passover which succeeded to that of our Lord's crucifixion, and to the era of his ascension, in the following spring.

Upon this a great persecution was raised against all who professed their belief in Christ as the Messiah, or as a prophet. We are immediately told by St. Luke, that "there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem;" and that "they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles."

About two thousand Christians, with Nicanor, one of the seven deacons, suffered martyrdom during the "persecution that arose about Stephen."

The next martyr we meet with, according to St. Luke, in the History of the Apsotles' Acts, was James the son of Zebedee, the elder brother of John, and a relative of our Lord; for his mother Salome was cousin-german to the Virgin Mary. It was not until ten years after the death of Stephen that the second martyrdom took place; for no sooner had Herod Agrippa been appointed governor of Judea, than, with a view to ingratiate himself with them, he raised a sharp persecution against the Christians, and determined to make an effectual blow, by striking at their leaders. The account given us by an eminent primitive writer, Clemens Alexandrinus, ought not to be overlooked; that, as James was led to the place of martyrdom, his accuser was brought to repent of his conduct by the apostle's extraordinary courage and undauntedness, and fell down at his feet to request his pardon, professing himself a Christian, and resolving that James should not receive the crown of martyrdom alone. Hence they were both beheaded at the same time. Thus did the first apostolic martyr cheerfully and resolutely receive that cup, which he had told our Savior he was ready to drink. Timon and Parmenas suffered martyrdom about the same time; the one at Philippi, and the other in Macedonia. These events took place A.D. 44.

Was born at Bethsaida, in Galilee and was first called by the name of "disciple." He labored diligently in Upper Asia, and suffered martyrdom at Heliopolis, in Phrygia. He was scourged, thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified, A.D. 54.

Whose occupation was that of a toll-gatherer, was born at Nazareth. He wrote his gospel in Hebrew, which was afterwards translated into Greek by James the Less. The scene of his labors was Parthia, and Ethiopia, in which latter country he suffered martyrdom, being slain with a halberd in the city of Nadabah, A.D. 60.

Is supposed by some to have been the brother of our Lord, by a former wife of Joseph. This is very doubtful, and accords too much with the Catholic superstition, that Mary never had any other children except our Savior. He was elected to the oversight of the churches of Jerusalem; and was the author of the Epistle ascribed to James in the sacred canon. At the age of ninety-four he was beat and stoned by the Jews; and finally had his brains dashed out with a fuller's club.

Of whom less is known than of most of the other disciples, was elected to fill the vacant place of Judas. He was stoned at Jerusalem and then beheaded.

Was the brother of Peter. He preached the gospel to many Asiatic nations; but on his arrival at Edessa he was taken and crucified on a cross, the two ends of which were fixed transversely in 

the ground. Hence the derivation of the term, St. Andrew's Cross.

Was born of Jewish parents of the tribe of Levi. He is supposed to have been converted to Christianity by Peter, whom he served as an amanuensis, and under whose inspection he wrote his Gospel in the Greek language. Mark was dragged to pieces by the people of Alexandria, at the great solemnity of Serapis their idol, ending his life under their merciless hands.

Among many other saints, the blessed apostle Peter was condemned to death, and crucified, as some do write, at Rome; (Webmasters Note - To many of us, there is no proper proof that Peter ever even visited ROME, let alone LIVED and DIED there.) albeit some others, and not without cause, do doubt thereof. Hegesippus saith that Nero sought matter against Peter to put him to death; which, when the people perceived, they entreated Peter with much ado that he would fly the city. Peter, through their importunity at length persuaded, prepared himself to avoid. But, coming to the gate, he saw the Lord Christ come to meet him, to whom he, worshipping, said, "Lord, whither dost Thou go?" To whom He answered and said, "I am come again to be crucified." By this, Peter, perceiving his suffering to be understood, returned into the city. Jerome saith that he was crucified, his head being down and his feet upward, himself so requiring, because he was (he said) unworthy to be crucified after the same form and manner as the Lord was.

Paul, the apostle, who before was called Saul, after his great travail and unspeakable labors in promoting the Gospel of Christ, suffered also in this first persecution under Nero. Abdias, declareth that under his execution Nero sent two of his esquires, Ferega and Parthemius, to bring him word of his death. They, coming to Paul instructing the people, desired him to pray for them, that they might believe; who told them that shortly after they should believe and be baptised at His sepulcher. This done, the soldiers came and led him out of the city to the place of execution, where he, after his prayers made, gave his neck to the sword.

The brother of James, was commonly called Thaddeus. He was crucified at Edessa, A.D. 72.

Preached in several countries, and having translated the Gospel of Matthew into the language of India, he propagated it in that country. He was at length cruelly beaten and then crucified by the impatient idolaters.

Called Didymus, preached the Gospel in Parthia and India, where exciting the rage of the pagan priests, he was martyred by being thrust through with a spear.

The evangelist, was the author of the Gospel which goes under his name. He traveled with Paul through various countries, and is supposed to have been hanged on an olive tree, by the idolatrous priests of Greece.

Surnamed Zelotes, preached the Gospel in Mauritania, Africa, and even in Britain, in which latter country he was crucified, A.D. 74.

The "beloved disciple," was brother to James the Great. The churches of Smyrna, Pergamos, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, and Thyatira, were founded by him. From Ephesus he was ordered to be sent to Rome, where it is affirmed he was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil. He escaped by miracle, without injury. Domitian afterwards banished him to the Isle of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Nerva, the successor of Domitian, recalled him. He was the only apostle who escaped a violent death.

Was of Cyprus, but of Jewish descent, his death is supposed to have taken place about A.D. 73.

And yet, notwithstanding all these continual persecutions and horrible punishments, the Church daily increased, deeply rooted in the doctrine of the apostles and of men apostolical, and watered plentously with the blood of saints.

APOSTOLIC AGE

It lasted from the foundation of the Church until the end of the first century. The apostles were spreading the gospel with tremendous spiritual power. Lofty ethics and revolutionary teachings of the Christian religion produced envy and admiration even among the enemies of the Faith, and thousands upon thousands of people of all walks of life were drawn to accept Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and Savior.

PERSECUTION

Satan soon tried to destroy the Church by persecution. Christians were accused of being subversive and guilty of various crimes they did not commit. They were persecuted, prosecuted, sentenced to death, tortured, and murdered in bloody arenas. Yet, Christians persisted in their loyalty to Christ, willingly becoming martyrs for their faith. Not only that Christianity was not eradicated from the face of the earth, but on the contrary, the blood of the martyrs became seed of the Church, giving birth to thousands of new converts to the Christian faith.

APOSTASY (FALLING AWAY)

Seeing that he will not be able to destroy the Church from outside, Satan decided to attack her from within, by spreading the false teachings and encouraging Christian leaders to adopt pagan practices and philosophical views of this world. When the Emperor Constantine, for political reasons, ended the persecution of Christians and offered the Church a privileged position within the Roman Empire, many accepted the change believing that the Christ's Kingdom had already come to the earth. The New Testament prophecies of the coming apostasy (falling away from the Truth) started to be fulfilled. From that time on, the Church developed a union with the State, backing her propagation, policies and doctrines by the use of the secular force. That resulted in formation of a totalitarian system that lasted for several centuries and is known as the Dark Age. No one who differed in religion, whether in doctrine or in practice, was tolerated, but was rather prosecuted by the clergy, tortured, and banished or executed by the State. Instead of being a pure, innocent, faithful Bride of the Savior Christ, the Church become the fallen, apostate, blood-thirsty Whore of Babylon, fornicating with the rulers of this world. The true doctrines of the Bible and the pure, unadulterated Gospel of Christ has been replaced by the false doctrines of men and the pagan practices of the day. (more)

TRAIL OF BLOOD

But throughout this period, Jesus Christ had His remnant people that have remained faithful to His Word and Spirit. Some were within these fallen structures of the worldly "church" and some "out in the desert" gathered in the movements and communities that were trying to stay loyal to God and His Truth. These groups of Christians holding to the original evangelical tenets of the Christian faith were spread around the medieval Europe. They were known by different names (Bogumils, Waldensians, etc.) given to them by their enemies who were relentlessly persecuting and outlawing them. While it is often hard to find details about their doctrines and practices (due to the fact that their writings were destroyed by their opponents who used to slender, malign and misrepresent them), we do know that they were separating themselves from the state-church on the account that it has fallen from the truth. The Remnant Church was trying to preserve the original, New Testament faith. And although persecuted, tortured and murdered through centuries these faithful servants of Christ, both young and old, women and men, kept the line of the true Church of God until the time of the Reformations.

PROTESTANT REFORMATION

During the 16th century God raised a man called Martin Luther to start a Reformation that would bring back the truths of the Bible to the light of the day. This German theologian and his associates become known as the Protestants due to their protest against the distortions and deviations of the Western, Roman Catholic, branch of the apostatized Christendom. While the Protestants have restored many of the scriptural teachings (e.g.. Scripture is the only authority for Christian faith and practice; salvation is by grace alone and through Christ alone; all Christians are priests and servants of the Lord), yet they have stopped in the middle of the reformation, failing to bring about full recovery of the Biblical Faith. Soon they were divided into several groups or branches.

ANABAPTIST REFORMATION

The torch of Truth and restoration have been taken by the Christians whom their enemies labeled as the Anabaptists (because they denied baptism of the infants for the sake of baptism of believers). They were spiritual descendents of the medieval remnants and their work is known as the Radical Reformation. The Anabaptists (or Mennonites as they were also known because of their leader Menno Simons) stood for believer's baptism, church of the regenerated people, faithfulness to the Bible in all details, effective church discipline, separation of the Church from the State and its carnal power. They were persecuted both by the Roman Catholics and the Protestants. After a while this persecution dumped the Anabaptists' fire for evangelism and have resulted in a certain spiritual and cultural isolation.

WESLEYAN REFORMATION

In the 17th century God raised another man to revive the fire of missionary zeal and devotion. John Wesley was led to restore the Biblical doctrine of holiness to the Christian world. But not only that he helped define this teaching theologically, he was enabled by God to preach it powerfully and effectively. During the rise of the Methodist movement (structured and overseed by Wesley) thousands of people were brought into salvation and have experienced the consecutive blessing of entire sanctification in which God purified their hearts from sin by the mighty infusion of the Holy Spirit. Truth of salvation and holiness later streamed into the so-called Holiness movement that has flown from the Wesleyan Revival.