Pilate.  This pernicious superstition, though checked for a while, broke out again, and spread not only over Judea, but reached the city also.  At first they only were apprehended who confessed themselves of that sect; afterwards vast multitude were discovered by them.”  This testimony to the early propagation of Christianity is extremely material.  It is from an historian of great reputation, living near the time; from a stranger and an enemy to the religion; and it joins immediately with the period through which the Scripture accounts extend.  It establishes these points:  that the religion began at Jerusalem; that it spread throughout Judea; that it had reached Rome, and not only so, but that it had there obtained a great number of converts.  This was about six years after the time that Saint Paul wrote his Epistle to the Romans, and something more than two years after he arrived there himself.  The converts to the religion were then so numerous at Rome, that of those who were betrayed by the information of the persons first persecuted, a great multitude (multitudo ingens) were discovered and seized.

It seems probable, that the temporary check which Tacitus represents Christianity to have received (repressa in praesens) referred to the persecution of Jerusalem which followed the death of Stephen (Acts viii.); and which, by dispersing the converts, caused the institution, in some measure, to disappear.  Its second eruption at the same place, and within a short time, has much in it of the character of truth.  It was the firmness and perseverance of men who knew what they relied upon.

Next in order of time, and perhaps superior in importance is the testimony of Pliny the Younger.  Pliny was the Roman governor of Pontus and Bithynia, two considerable districts in the northern part of Asia Minor.  The situation in which he found his province led him to apply to the emperor (Trajan) for his direction as to the conduct he was to hold towards the Christians.  The letter in which this application is contained was written not quite eighty years after Christ’s ascension.  The president, in this letter, states the measures he had already pursued, and then adds, as his reason for resorting to the emperor’s counsel and authority, the following words:—­“Suspending all judicial proceedings, I have recourse to you for advice; for it has appeared to me a matter highly deserving consideration, especially on account of the great number of persons who are in danger of suffering:  for many of all ages, and of every rank, of both sexes likewise, are accused, and will be accused.  Nor has the contagion of this superstition seized cities only, but the lesser towns also, and the open country.  Nevertheless it seemed to me that it may be restrained and corrected.  It is certain that the temples, which were almost forsaken, begin to be more frequented; and the sacred solemnities, after a long intermission, are revived.  Victims, likewise, are everywhere (passim) bought up; whereas, for some time, there were few to purchase them.  Whence it is easy to imagine that numbers of men might be reclaimed if pardon were granted to those that shall repent.” (C.  Plin.  Trajano Imp. lib. x. ep. xcvii.)