Concerning the end or martyrdom of Matthias, some write that he would not sacrifice to the false god Jupiter, and was therefore put to death by the heathen. Others, however, state that for the blasphemy which the Jews said he had committed against God, Moses, and the law, he was sentenced by their high priest, first to be hung on a cross and stoned, and afterwards beheaded with an ax. In short, when he would not deny Jesus, his Savior, but steadfastly confessed him, his sentence, was this: “Thy blood be upon thy head, for thine own mouth hath spoken against thee.” Thereupon, having been tied on a cross, as some write, or conducted upon a rock, as others say, he was stoned, and finally, according to the sentence, beheaded. _Joh. Gys., in Hist. Mart., fol. 13, col. 2, ex Anton., in part 1._ Also, _Konst-tooneel, etc., in the life of Matthias_. Also, _P. J. Twisck in the Bybelsch Næmbœck, letter M. on the name Matthias, fol. 652, col. 1, 2_. SOME OF THE SEVENTY DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, AND SEVERAL FELLOW-TRAVELERS OF THE APOSTLES, SLAIN, TOWARDS THE CLOSE OF THE PERSECUTION BY NERO, ABOUT A. D. 70. Prochorus, one of the first seven deacons at Jerusalem, a nephew of the pious martyr Stephen, and companion of the Apostle John, but afterwards bishop of the church at Bithynia, in Macedonia, suffered and died at Antioch. Nicanor, also one of the first seven deacons at Jerusalem, was likewise executed for the truth’s sake. Likewise Parmenas, also one of the seven deacons. Olympus was imprisoned at Rome with Paul, for the Gospel’s sake. Carpus, a servant of Paul, and afterwards bishop of the church at Troas, was put to death in that place, for the faith. Trophimus, Paul’s companion, was beheaded for the truth of Christ. Maternus and Egystus, two of the seventy disciples of Christ, together with Marianus, the Christian deacon, were put to death in Germany, for the faith. Hermagoras, bishop of the church at Aquileia, ordained thereto by Peter, suffered likewise under Nero. Onesimus, Dionysius, Areopagitæ, and others, also died at that time for the divine truth. This persecution, which was originated by Nero, continued a long time, extending even into the time of Vespasian; so that it is stated that in the third year of his reign, there was put to death in the city of Ravenna, for confessing Christ, Apollinaris, a disciple of Peter, with many others, whose names are not mentioned. OF THE SECOND PERSECUTION OF THE CHRISTIANS, UNDER DOMITIAN, WHICH COMMENCED A. D. 93; IN WHICH, AMONG OTHERS, THERE WERE APPREHENDED, BANISHED, OR SLAIN, THE FOLLOWING PERSONS: LUKE, THE HOLY EVANGELIST, HANGED ON A GREEN OLIVE TREE, IN GREECE, A. D. 93. [Illustration: LUKE HANGED ON AN OLIVE TREE.] Luke, the third among the holy evangelists, was, according to the testimony of the ancients, a Syrian of Antioch, and by occupation a physician. _Bybelsch Næmbœck, about Luke_, from _Euseb. and Hieron. Col. 4:14._