COTR Magazine June 2013 | Page 25

PebblesandsandfeltlikeknifesrunningdownStephen ’ sbody , tearing offpiecesofhisskin . Feetandarmsjostledhim , somepuling , somepushing , andsomejustjerkingwildly . Stephencoveredhisfacewithhishands , but hisarmsweregrabbedbytwodifferentmenandhisfacewasshovedintothe dirt . Stephencoughed , spittingdirtandsmalstones .

Thecrowdcontinuedtodraghim , nowoverdirtpathsandrockyground . Stephenwasscratchedandbruised , andpeoplewereconstantlysteppingon him . Heheardavoiceyel ,“ Openthegate !”, andaloudcreakingsoundfollowed . Themobneverstopped , draggingStephenacrossbrushandbrambles thattorehisclothingandface .

Abruptly , thepoundingfootstepsofthemobstopped , andStephenfelt himselfbeingdraggedthroughthecrowd . Thevoicesofthecrowdhushed , exceptfortheoccasionalangryhisswhenStephenpassed . Hewasflipped faceupinfrontofthem ; thetwomenwhohadbeencarryinghim stepped back . Severalpeoplepuledofftheirtogasorcloaksanddroppedthem atthe feetofayoungmannamedSaul .

Slowly , Stephenclosedhiseyes . Herecognizedthisgestureal toowel , andhadseenthisact toomanytimes . Stephenbraced himself . Thefirstrockhithim , hardinthestomach . Itdidn ’ t takelongfortheresttofolow , poundingaloverhisbodyand rippinguphislimbs . The constantvoleyshredhistunic andslashedattheskinunderneath . Suddenly , thefirestirred againinStephen ’ sheart , andhe prayedinaloudvoice ,“ Lord Jesus , receivemyspirit !”

~ 24 ~