accretions of fond and pious ages.

Let us place ourselves entirely in the hands of the evidence. As far
as possible, let us be passive, showing no predisposition one way or
another. We can afford to be independent. If the evidence proves the
historicity of Jesus, well and good; if the evidence is not sufficient
to prove it, there is no reason why we should fear to say so; besides,
it is our duty to inform ourselves on this question. As intelligent
beings we desire to know whether this Jesus, whose worship is not only
costing the world millions of the people's money, but which is also
drawing to his service the time, the energies, the affection, the
devotion, and the labor of humanity,--is a myth, or a reality. We
believe that all religious persecutions, all sectarian wars, hatreds
and intolerance, which still cramp and embitter our humanity, would be
replaced by love and brotherhood, if the sects could be made to see
that the God-Jesus they are quarreling over is a myth, a shadow to
which credulity alone gives substance. Like people who have been
fighting in the dark, fearing some danger, the sects, once relieved of
the thraldom of a tradition which has been handed down to them by a
childish age and country, will turn around and embrace one another. In
every sense, the subject is an all-absorbing one. It goes to the root
of things; it touches the vital parts, and it means life or death to
the Christian religion.

[Illustration: Ascension of Jesus, Ninth Century.]

[Illustration: Juno Nursing Her Divine Child, Mars.]