that it contained the doctrine of the _Trinity_, a
doctrine not established in the Christian church until A. D. 327, but
which was taught by this Buddhist sect in Alexandria, in Egypt, which
has been well called, "Egypt, the land of Trinities."

The learned Dr. Grabe thought it was composed by _some Christians in
Egypt_, and that it was published _before either of the canonical
Gospels_. Dr. Mill also believed that it was composed _before either of
the canonical Gospels_, and, what is more important than all, _that the
authors of it were Essenes_.

_These "Scriptures" of the Essenes were undoubtedly amalgamated with the
"Gospels" of the Christians, the result being the canonical Gospels as
we now have them._ The "Gospel of the Hebrews," and such like, on the
one hand, and the "Gospel of the Egyptians," or Essenes, and such like,
on the other. That the "Gospel of the Hebrews" spoke of Jesus of
Nazareth as the son of Joseph and Mary, _according to the flesh_, and
that it taught _nothing_ about his miracles, his resurrection from the
dead, and other such prodigies, is admitted on all hands. That the
"Scriptures" of the Essenes contained the whole legend of the
Angel-Messiah, which was afterwards added to the history of Jesus,
_making him a_ CHRIST, _or an Anointed Angel_, is a probability almost
to a certainty. Do we now understand how all the traditions and legends,
originally _Indian_, escaping from the great focus through _Egypt_, were
able to reach Judea, Greece and Rome?

To continue with our subject, "why Christianity prospered," we must now
speak of another great support to the cause, _i. e._, _Persecution_.
Ernest de Bunsen, speaking of Buddha, says:

"His religion has never been propagated by the sword. It has
been effected entirely by the influence of peaceable and
persevering devotees."

Can we say as much for what is termed "the religion of Christ?" No! this
religion has had the aid of the sword and firebrand, the rack and the
thumb-screw. "_Persecution_," is to be seen written on the pages of
ecclesiastical history, from the time of Constantine even to the present
day.[444:1] This Christian emperor and saint was the first to check
free-thought.

"We search in vain," (says M. Renan), "in the collection of
Roman laws _before Constantine_, for any enactment aimed at
free thought, or in the history of the emperors, for a
persecution of abstract doctrine. Not a single _sava