maintenance of the ancient superstition.  Already, the Church of Rome had often sustained the violence of persecution; but, notwithstanding the bloody trials it had undergone, it had continued steadily to gain strength; and a sagacious student of the signs of the times might even now have looked forward to the day when Christianity and paganism, on nearly equal terms, would be contending for mastery in the chief city of the Empire.  But the proceedings of the heretics were calculated to dissipate all the visions of ecclesiastical ascendency.  If the Roman Christians were split up into fragments by sectarianism, the Church, in one of its great centres of influence, would be incalculably injured.  And yet, how could the crisis be averted?  How could heresy be most effectually discountenanced?  How could the unity of the Church be best maintained?  In times of peril the Romans had formerly been wont to set up a Dictator, and to commit the whole power of the commonwealth to one trusty and vigorous ruler.  During the latter days of the Republic, the State had been almost torn to pieces by contending factions; and now, under the sway of the Emperors, it enjoyed comparative repose.  It seems to have occurred to the brethren at Rome that they should try the effects of a similar change in the ecclesiastical constitution.  By committing the government of the Church, in this emergency, almost entirely into the hands of one able and resolute administrator, they, perhaps, hoped to contend successfully against the dangers by which they were now encompassed.

V. A recent calamity of a different character was calculated to abate the jealousy which such a proposition might have otherwise awakened.  It appears that Telesphorus, the immediate predecessor of Hyginus, suffered a violent death. [543:1] Telesphorus is the first bishop of Rome whose title to martyrdom can be fairly established; and not one of his successors during the remainder of the second century forfeited his life for his religion.  The death of the presiding pastor, as a victim to the intolerance of heathenism, must have thrown the whole Church into a state of confusion and perplexity; and when Hyginus was called upon to occupy the vacant chair, well might he enter upon its duties with deep anxiety.  The appearance of heresy multiplied the difficulties of his office.  It might now be asked with no small amount of plausibility—­Is the presiding presbyter to have no special privileges?  If his mind is to be harassed continually by errorists, and if his life is to be imperilled in the service of the Church, should he not be distinguished above his brethren?  Without some such encouragement will not the elders at length refuse to accept a situation which entails so much responsibility, and yet possesses so little influence?  Such questions, urged under such circumstances, must have been felt to be perplexing.