Chapter II: Preface

THE author of this volume has for many years, at intervals, been engaged in its preparation. It has long seemed to him very desirable that a brief, comprehensive, and readable narrative of the origin of Christianity, and of its struggles and triumphs, should be prepared, adapted to the masses of the people. There are many ecclesiastical histories written by men of genius and erudition. They are, however, read by few, excepting professional theologians. The writer is not aware that there is any popular history of the extraordinary events involved in the progress of Christianity which can lure the attention of men, even of Christians, whose minds are engrossed by the agitations of busy life.

And yet there is no theme more full of sublime, exciting, and instructive interest. All the heroism which the annals of chivalry record pale into insignificance in presence of the heroism with which the battles of the cross have been fought, and with which Christians, in devotion to the interests of humanity, have met, undaunted, the most terrible doom.

The task is so difficult wisely to select and to compress within a few hundred pages the momentous events connected with Christianity during nearly nineteen centuries, that more than once the writer has been tempted to lay aside his pen in despair. Should this book fail to accomplish the purpose which he prayerfully seeks to attain, he hopes that some one else may be incited to make the attempt who will be more successful.

In writing the life of Jesus, the author has accepted the narratives of the evangelists as authentic and reliable, and has endeavored to give a faithful, and, so far as possible, a chronological account of what Jesus said and did, as he would write of any other distinguished personage. The same principle has guided him in tracing out the career of Paul and the apostles.

It has not been the object of the writer to urge any new views, or to discuss controverted questions of church polity or theology. This is a history of facts, not a philosophical or theological discussion of the principles which these facts may involve. No one, however, can read this narrative without the conviction that the religion of Jesus, notwithstanding the occasional perversions of human depravity or credulity, has remained essentially one and the same during all the centuries. We need no additional revelation. The gospel of Christ is “the power of God and the wisdom of God.” In its propagation lies the only hope of the world. Its universal acceptance will usher in such a day of glory as this world has never witnessed since the flowers of Eden wilted.

JOHN S. C. ABBOTT.

FAIR HAVEN, CONN.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

THE BIRTH, CHILDHOOD, AND EARLY MINISTRY, OF JESUS.

The Roman Empire.――Moral Influence of Jesus.――John.――The
Annunciation.――The Birth of Jesus.――Visit of the Magi.――Wrath
of Herod.――Flight to Egypt.――Return to Nazareth.――Jesus in the
Temple.――John the Baptist.――The Temptation.――The First Disciples.
――The First Miracle.――Visit to Jerusalem.――Nicodemus.――The Woman
of Samaria.――Healing of the Nobleman’s Son.――Visit to Capernaum.
――Peter and Andrew called.――James and John called.――The Demoniac
healed.――Tour through Galilee.

CHAPTER II.

TOUR THROUGH GALILEE.

The Horns of Hattin.――The Sermon on the Mount.――Jesus goes to
Capernaum.――The Miraculous Draught of Fishes.――Healing the Leper;
the Paralytic.――Associates with Publicans and Sinners.――The
Feast of the Passover.――The Cripple at the Pool.――The Equality
of the Son with the Father.――Healing the Withered Hand.――Anger
of the Pharisees.――The Twelve Apostles chosen.――Inquiry of John
the Baptist.――Jesus dines with a Pharisee.――The Anointment.
――Journey through Galilee.――Stilling the Tempest.――The Demoniacs
and the Swine.――The Daughter of Jairus.――Restores Sight to the
Blind.――Address to his Disciples.

CHAPTER III.

THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS, AND MIRACLES OF HEALING.

Infamy of Herod.――Jesus in the Desert.――Feeds the Five Thousand.
――Walks on the Sea.――Preaches to the People.――Visits Tyre and
Sidon.――The Syro-Phœnician Woman.――Cures all Manner of Diseases.
――Feeds the Four Thousand.――Restores Sight to a Blind Man.
――Conversation with Peter.――The Transfiguration.――Cure of the
Lunatic.――Dispute of the Apostles.――Law of Forgiveness.――Visits
Jerusalem.――Plot to seize Jesus.――The Adulteress.――Jesus the Son
of God.――The Blind Man.――Parable of the Good Shepherd.――Raising
of Lazarus.

CHAPTER IV.

LAST LABORS, AND FAREWELL TO HIS DISCIPLES.

Journey to Jerusalem.――Mission of the Seventy.――Jesus teaches his
Disciples to pray.――Lament over Jerusalem.――Return to Galilee.
――The Second Coming of Christ.――Dangers of the Rich.――Promise
to his Disciples.――Foretells his Death.――Zacchæus.――Mary anoints
Jesus.――Enters Jerusalem.――Drives the Traffickers from the
Temple.――The Pharisees try to entrap him.――The Destruction of
Jerusalem, and the Second Coming.――Judas agrees to betray Jesus.
――The Last Supper.――The Prayer of Jesus.

CHAPTER V.

ARREST, TRIAL, AND CRUCIFIXION.

Anguish of Jesus.――His Prayers in the Garden.――The Arrest.――Peter’s
Recklessness.――Flight of the Apostles.――Jesus led to Annas;
to Caiaphas.――Jesus affirms that he is the Messiah.――Frivolous
Accusations.――Peter denies his Lord.――Jesus is conducted to
Pilate.――The Examination.――Scourging the Innocent.――Insults and
Mockery.――Rage of the Chief Priests and Scribes.――Embarrassment
of Pilate.――He surrenders Jesus to his Enemies.――The Crucifixion.
――The Resurrection.――Repeated Appearance to his Disciples.

CHAPTER VI.

THE CONVERSION AND MINISTRY OF SAUL OF TARSUS.

The Baptism of the Holy Ghost.――Boldness of the Apostles.――Anger
of the Rulers.――Martyrdom of Stephen.――Baptism of the Eunuch.
――Saul’s Journey to Damascus.――His Conversion.――The Disciples
fear him.――His Escape from the City.――Saul in Jerusalem.――His
Commission to the Gentiles.――The Conversion of Cornelius.――The
Vision of Peter.――Persecution of the Disciples.――Imprisonment
of Peter.――Saul and Barnabas in Antioch.――Punishment of Elymas.
――Missionary Tour.――Incidents and Results.

CHAPTER VII.

MISSIONARY ADVENTURES.

The First Controversy.――Views of the Two Parties.――Council at
Jerusalem.――Results of Council.――The Letter.――Vacillation of
Peter.――Rebuked by Paul.――The Missionary Excursion of Paul and
Barnabas.――They traverse the Island of Cyprus.――Land on the
Coast of Asia Minor.――Mark returns to Syria.――Results of this
Tour.――Paul and Silas set out on a Second Tour through Asia
Minor.――Cross the Hellespont.――Introduction of Christianity to
Europe.――Heroism of Paul at Philippi.――Tour through Macedonia
and Greece.――Character of Paul’s Preaching.――Peter’s Description
of the Final Conflagration.――False Charges.――Paul in Athens; in
Corinth.――Return to Jerusalem.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE CAPTIVE IN CHAINS.

The Third Missionary Tour.――Paul at Ephesus.――The Great Tumult.
――The Voyage to Greece.――Return to Asia Minor and to Jerusalem.
――His Reception at Jerusalem.――His Arrest, and the Riot.――Speech
to the Mob.――Paul imprisoned.――Danger of Assassination.
――Transferred to Cæsarea.――His Defence before Festus and Agrippa.
――The Appeal to Cæsar.――The Voyage to Rome.――The Shipwreck.
――Continued Captivity.

CHAPTER IX.

THE FIRST PERSECUTION.

The Population of Rome.――The Reign of Tiberius Cæsar.――His
Character and Death.――The Proposal to deify Jesus.――Caligula.
――His Crimes, and the Earthly Retribution.――Nero and his Career.
――His Crimes and Death.――The Spirit of the Gospel.――Sufferings
of the Christians.――Testimony of Tacitus.――Testimony of
Chrysostom.――Panic in Rome.――The Sins and Sorrows of weary
Centuries.――Noble Sentiments of the Bishop of Rome.

CHAPTER X.

ROMAN EMPERORS, GOOD AND BAD.

Character of the Roman Army.――Conspiracy of Otho.――Death of
Galba.――Vitellius Emperor.――Revolt of the Jews, and Destruction
of Jerusalem.――Reign of Vespasian.――Character of Titus; of
Domitian.――Religion of Pagan Rome.――Nerva.――Anecdotes of St.
John.――Exploits of Trajan.――Letter of Pliny.――Letter of Trajan.

CHAPTER XI.

MARTYRDOM.

The Martyrdom of Ignatius.――Death of Trajan.――Succession of
Adrian.――Infidel Assaults.――Celsus.――The Apology of Quadrat.
――The Martyrdom of Symphorose and her Sons.――Character and Death
of Adrian.――Antoninus.――Conversion of Justin Martyr.――His Apology.
――Marcus Aurelius.――Hostility of the Populace.――The Martyrdom of
Polycarp.

CHAPTER XII.

PAGAN ROME.

Infamy of Commodus.――His Death.――The Reign of Pertinax.――The Mob
of Soldiers.――Death of Pertinax.――Julian purchases the Crown.
――Rival Claimants.――Severus.――Persecutions.――Martyrdom of
Perpetua and Felicitas.――The Reign of Caracalla.――Fiendlike
Atrocities.――Elagabalus, Priest of the Sun.――Death by the Mob.
――Alexander and his Mother.――Contrast between Paganism and
Christianity.――The Sin of Unbelief.

CHAPTER XIII.

SIN AND MISERY.

Maximin the Goth.――Brutal Assassination of Alexander.――Merciless
Proscription.――Revolt of the Army on the Danube.――Rage of
Maximin.――His March upon Rome.――Consternation in the Capital.
――Assassination of Maximin.――Successors to the Throne.――Popular
Suffrage unavailing.――Persecution under Decius.――Individual
Cases.――Extent of the Roman Empire.――Extent of the Persecution.
――Heroism of the Christians.

CHAPTER XIV.

INVASION, CIVIL WAR, AND UNRELENTING PERSECUTION.

Æmilianus and Valerian.――Barbaric Hordes.――Slavery and its
Retribution.――Awful Fate of Valerian.――Ruin of the Roman Empire.
――Zenobia and her Captivity.――The Slave Diocletian becomes
Emperor.――His Reign, Abdication, Death.――Division of the
Empire.――Terrible Persecution.――The Glory of Christianity.
――Characteristics of the First Three Centuries.――Abasement of
Rome.

CHAPTER XV.

CONSTANTINE.――THE BANNER OF THE CROSS UNFURLED.

Helena, the Christian Empress.――Constantine, her Son, favors the
Christians.――Crumbling of the Empire.――Constantine the Christian,
and Maxentius the Pagan.――Vision of Constantine.――The Unfurled
Cross.――Christianity favored by the Court.――Licinius defends the
Christians.――Writings of Eusebius.――Apostasy of Licinius.――Cruel
Persecution.

CHAPTER XVI.

THE CONVERSION OF CONSTANTINE.

The Arian Controversy.――Sanguinary Conflict between Paganism and
Christianity.――Founding of Constantinople.――The Council of Nice.
――Its Decision.――Duplicity of some of the Arians.――The Nicene
Creed.――Tragic Scene in the Life of Constantine.――His Penitence
and true Conversion.――His Baptism, and Reception into the Church.
――Charles V.――The Emperor Napoleon I.

CHAPTER XVII.

JULIAN THE APOSTATE.

The Devotion of Constantine to Christianity.――Constantius and
the Barbarians.――Conspiracy of Magnentius.――The Decisive
Battle.――Decay of Rome.――Fearful Retribution.――Noble Sentiments
of the Bishop of Alexandria.――Death of Constantius.――Gallus
and Julian.――Julian enthroned.――His Apostasy.――His Warfare
against Christianity.――Unavailing Attempt to rebuild Jerusalem.
――Persecution.――His Expedition to the East, and Painful Death.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE IMMEDIATE SUCCESSORS OF JULIAN.

Anecdote.――Accession of Jovian.――His Character.――Christianity
reinstated.――Death of Jovian.――Recall of Athanasius.――Wide
Condemnation of Arianism.――Heroism of Jovian.――Valentinian and
Valens.――Valentinian enthroned.――Valens in the East.――Barbarian
Irruptions.――Reign of Theodosius.――Aspect of the Barbarians.
――Rome captured by Alaric.――Character of Alaric.――His Death
and Burial.――Remarkable Statement of Adolphus.――Attila the Hun.
――Valentinian III.――Acadius.――Eloquence of Chrysostom.――His
Banishment and Death.――Rise of Monasticism.

CHAPTER XIX.

THE FIFTH CENTURY.

Christianity the only Possible Religion.――Adventures of Placidia.
――Her Marriage with Adolphus the Goth.――Scenes of Violence and
Crime.――Attila the Hun.――Nuptials of Idaho.――Eudoxia and her
Fate.――Triumph of Odoacer the Goth.――Character of the Roman
Nobles.――Conquests of Theodoric.――John Chrysostom.――The Origin
of Monasticism.――Augustine.――His Dissipation, Conversion, and
Christian Career.

CHAPTER XX.

CENTURIES OF WAR AND WOE.

Convulsions of the Sixth Century.――Corruption of the Church.――The
Rise of Monasteries.――Rivalry between Rome and Constantinople.
――Mohammed and his Career.――His Personal Appearance.――His System
of Religion.――His Death.――Military Expeditions of the Moslems.
――The Threatened Conquest of Europe.――Capture of Alexandria.
――Burning of the Library.――Rise of the Feudal System.
――Charlemagne.――Barbarian Antagonism to Christianity.

CHAPTER XXI.

THE DARK AGES.

The Anticipated Second Coming of Christ.――State of the World
in the Tenth Century.――Enduring Architecture.――Power of the
Papacy.――Vitality of the Christian Religion.――The Pope and
the Patriarch.――Intolerance of Hildebrand.――Humiliation of the
Emperor Henry IV.――Farewell Letter of Monomaque.――The Crusades.
――Vladimir of Russia.――His Introduction of Christianity to his
Realms.――Marriage with the Christian Princess Anne.――Extirpation
of Paganism.――The Baptism.――The Spiritual Conversion of Vladimir.

CHAPTER XXII.

THE REFORMATION.

Two Aspects of Catholicism.――Jubilee at Rome.――Infamy of Philip
of France.――Banditti Bishops.――Sale of Indulgences.――Tetzel the
Peddler.――The Rise of Protestantism.――Luther and the Diet at
Worms.――Intolerance of Charles V.――Civil War and its Reverses.
――Perfidy of Charles V.――Coalition against the Protestants.
――Abdication and Death.

CHAPTER XXIII.

THE MASSACRE OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW.

Principles of the two Parties.――Ferdinand’s Appeal to the Pope.
――The Celibacy of the Clergy.――Maximilian.――His Protection of
the Protestants.――The Reformation in France.――Jeanne d’Albret,
Queen of Navarre.――Proposed Marriage of Henry of Navarre and
Marguerite of France.――Perfidy of Catharine de Medici.――The
Nuptials.――The Massacre of St. Bartholomew.――Details of
its Horrors.――Indignation of Protestant Europe.――Death of
Charles IX.