“The Druidic system is thought to have had its origin in Britain, from whence it was introduced into Gaul.... Among the most important doctrines of the Druids is that of the immortality of the soul, which they believe passes after death into other bodies; they hold this to be a great inducement to the practice of virtue, as the mind thus becomes relieved from the fear of death. Their other doctrines concern the motions of the heavenly bodies, the magnitude of the earth and the universe, the nature of things, and the power and attributes of the immortal gods.” Certainly Cæsar’s testimony is clear, and he writes as one who had actually gazed upon the strange and striking scenes which he describes. THE DESTRUCTION OF DRUIDISM. The religion of the Druids was handed down by tradition from father to son, and consisted in the proper performance of certain rites and ceremonies. It has been stated that the Druids worshiped Bel or Baal, though this is sometimes questioned. On the eve of May-day fires were lighted on their altars in honor of their Supreme God. They had a set of doctrines which were publicly taught, and another set which were made known only to the initiated. The Druids were not gross idolaters, though they regarded the oak, the symbol of God, with superstitious awe. But the time for the death of Druidism had come. Fifty-five years before Christ, the great conqueror, Julius Cæsar, landed in Britain. The skillful and courageous Britons gave him a great deal of trouble, and prevented his penetrating far from the shore. Emperor after emperor sought to subjugate the Island during the years that followed, but it was not until 130 years had passed away that Briton was really conquered by the Romans. Agricola was sent in A.D. 78 to be governor of Britain. By his wise policy the whole life of the Britons was changed wherever it came under Roman influence. The dwellings of the Britons were very rude and simple in the early ages, being mostly constructed of hurdle or wicker-work, and afterward of large stones without mortar. Their houses were generally round, having the roof thatched, with a hole left in the centre for the escape of smoke. The Romans, on the contrary, had long been accustomed to commodious and elegant dwellings, well built of masonry, and adorned in the richest manner with statues, pictures, elegant drapery and handsome furniture. It was not while the Romans were engaged in conquering Britain that their religion gained a foothold there, but after they had come to power and peace. The Druid priests were destroyed, and the people, left thus without religious teachers, gradually accepted to some extent the then-existing forms of Roman faith. WHO FIRST BROUGHT CHRISTIANITY TO BRITAIN?