7. Constantine's Luminous Cross.--Now if this narrative [by Eusebius] is all true, and if two connected miracles were actually wrought as here stated, how happens it that no writer of that age, except Eusebius, says one word about the luminous cross in the heavens? How came it that Eusebius himself said nothing about it in his Ecclesiastical {125} History, which was written twelve years after the event, and about the same length of time before his life of Constantine? Why does he rely solely on the testimony of the emperor and not even intimate that he even heard of it from others; whereas, if true, many thousands must have been eye-witnesses of the fact. What mean his suggestions, that some may question the truth of the story; and his caution not to state anything as a matter of public notoriety, but to confine himself simply to the emperor's private representation to himself. * * * But how came the whole story of the luminous cross to be unknown to the Christian world, for more than twenty-five years, and then to transpire only through a private conversation between Eusebius and Constantine?--Murdock. REVIEW. 1. From what source did the persecution of the church come during the 2nd century? 2. What charge did pagan priests bring against the Christians? 3. What in the estimation of the ignorant pagans gave the color of truth to their charge? 4. To what circumstance were the calamities which befell the empire usually attributed? 5. What strange fact meets us in connection with the persecution of the 2nd century? 6. What two noted martyrs were put to death in the reign of Marcus Aurelius? 7. Describe the martyrdom of Polycarp. 8. What was the nature of some of the tortures inflicted on the Christians? (Note 2). 9. What was the nature and purpose of the edicts of Severus? 10. What was the effect of this persecution and the period of peace which followed it? 11. What can you say of the persecution under Trajan? 12. What does Gibbon say of it? 13. How long did it continue? 14. What means of avoiding the severe tortures were offered the Christians? 15. What was the effect of this persecution? 16. What other circumstance added to the afflictions of the Christians? 17. What changes in respect to the Roman government took place early in the 4th century? 18. What method did Diocletian adopt for the suppression of the Christian religion? {126} 19. What special crimes were charged to the Christians in the reign of Diocletian? 20. What can you say of the zeal of the Christians? (Note 4 and 5). 21. What effect did these persecutions have on the church? 22. What event put a stop to the pagan persecutions? 23. Relate the circumstances which led to Constantine becoming emperor of Rome. 24. What effect did his accession to the throne have upon the Christian church? 25. By what circumstance is Constantine said to have been converted to the Christian religion? 26. What evidences exist against the probability of this story?