The Christians have virtual command of all the churches, universities, and schools. They have the countenance and support of the Thrones, Parliaments, Cabinets, and aristocracies of the world, and they have the nominal support of the World's Newspaper Press. They have behind them the traditions of eighteen centuries. They have formidable allies in the shape of whole schools of philosophy and whole libraries of eloquence and learning. They have the zealous service and unswerving credence of millions of honest and worthy citizens: and they are defended by solid ramparts of prejudice, and sentiment, and obstinate old custom. The odds against the Rationalists are tremendous. To challenge the claims of Christianity is easy: to get the challenge accepted is very hard. Rationalists' books and papers are boycotted. The Christians will not listen, will not reason, will not, if they can prevent it, allow a hostile voice to be heard. Thus, from sheer lack of knowledge, the public accept the Christian apologist's assertions as demonstrated truth. And the Christians claim this immunity from attack as a triumph of their arms, and a further proof of the truth of their religion. Religion has been attacked before, they cry, and where now are its assailants? And the answer must be, that many of its assailants are in their graves, but that some of them are yet alive, and there are more to follow. But the combat is very unequal. If the Rationalists could for only a few years have the support of the Crowns, Parliaments, Aristocracies, Universities, Schools, and Newspapers of the world; if they could preach Science and Reason twice every Sunday from a hundred thousand pulpits, perhaps the Christians would have less cause for boasting. But as things are, we "Infidels" must cease to sigh for whirlwinds, and do the best we can with the bellows. So: the Christians claim that their religion has done wonders for the world; a claim disputed by the Rationalists. Now, when we consider what Christianity has done, we should take account of the evil as well as the good. But this the Christians are unwilling to allow. Christians declare that the divine origin and truth of their religion are proved by its beneficent results. But Christianity has done evil as well as good. Mr. G. K. Chesterton, while defending Christianity in the _Daily News_, said: Christianity has committed crimes so monstrous that the sun might sicken at them in heaven. And no one can refute that statement. But Christians evade the dilemma. When the evil works of their religion are cited, they reply that those evils were wrought by false Christianity, that they were contrary to the teachings of Christ, and so were not the deeds of Christians at all. _The Christian Commonwealth_, in advancing the above plea as to real and false Christianity, instances the difference between Astrology and Astronomy, and said: