World History: Constantine becomes a Christian
A dramatic interlude written for broadcasting by Rhoda Power
'I ask them whether they are Christians. If they say Yes, then I repeat the question a second and a third time, warning them of the penalties it entails, and if they still persist I order them to be taken away to prison...'
Last week listeners heard about the eruption of Vesuvius which destroyed Pompeii, and they will remember that Pliny, then a young Roman, was present at the disaster and wrote a graphic account of it. Pliny in due course became an important Roman official, and one of his duties was to question those who were suspected of being Christians. The above is an extract from a letter he wrote to the Emperor Trajan.
In today's broadcast you will hear something of the sufferings of the early Christians, and how after long years of persecution they were at last given freedom to worship as they pleased. You will hear, too, how a great Roman Emperor, Constantine, became a Christian, and of the strange happenings which led to his conversion.

2.25 Interval Music

2.30 Biology in the Service of Man: Microbes that help the Farmer
H. Munro Fox, F.R.S.
(From Midland) (D)

2.50 Interlude

3.0 Concert for Schools
The BBC Scottish Orchestra
(Strings, Flute, and Oboe)
Leader, J. Mouland Begbie
Arranged and presented by Herbert Wiseman
(Scottish Programme)