26. "Till we have new light, we shall maintain, therefore, this principle of historical criticism, that a supernatural relation cannot be accepted as such, that it always implies credulity or imposture, that the duty of the historian is to interpret it, and to seek what portion of truth and what portion error it may contain. Such are the rules which have been followed in this life" (of Christ). Renan, "Life of Jesus," p. 45, E. T. 27. "Historical Evidences" (Rawlinson), p. 228. 28. "Historical Evidences," (Rawlinson), Preface. 29. "Historical Evidences" (Rawlinson), see Preface. See also Keil's preface to his "Comment on Joshua." 30. "Origins of Christianity" in three volumes; "The Life of Jesus," "The Apostles," "Saint Paul." 31. See Preface to Strauss' "Life of Jesus." 32. Dr. C. A. Briggs. 33. The triumphant language of Dr. Briggs in the _North American Review_ is: "The majority of votes in favor of the suspension was very great. But if the votes are weighed as well as counted the disparity will not be regarded as serious. The basis of representation in the general assembly gives the small presbyteries in the country districts and on the frontiers a vastly greater power than they are entitled to by their numbers or influence, while the strong presbyteries in our large cities and in the great communities are put at a serious disadvantage. The general assemblies, as they are now constituted, represent the least intelligent portion of the church, and not unfrequently a majority in the Assembly really represents a minority of the ministers and people in the denomination. A majority of a general assembly is not taken seriously by intelligent Presbyterians." 34. "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire." 35. The remarks in relation to both Gibbon and Voltaire are to be found in the _Christian Visitor_ for 1889. 36. 1 Cor. i. 13. 37. _Ibid_ verse 10. 38. 1 Cor. i. 12. THESIS II. The Church of Christ Was Destroyed: There Has Been an Apostasy from the Christian Religion, So Complete and Universal, as to Make Necessary a New Dispensation of the Gospel. CHAPTER II. THE EFFECT OF PAGAN PERSECUTION ON THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. A variety of causes have operated to produce the result stated in my second Thesis, among which I shall first consider those terrible persecutions with which the saints were afflicted in the first centuries of our era.