Besides  the  peculiar  consolations  afforded  by  Christianity
to  the  afflicted  of  all  ranks  and  classes,  there  were  popular
elements  in  its  early  forms  which  could  not  fail  to  commend
it  to  the  regards  of  common  men.  It  borrowed  the  designa-
tion ecclesia  from  the  old  popular  assembly,  and  liturgy  from
the  services  required  by  law  of  the  richer  citizens  in  the  pop-
alar  festivities.  It  taught  the  equality  of  all  men  in  the  sight
of  God ;  and  this  doctrine  could  not  fail  to  be  affectionately
welcomed  by  a  down-trodden  people.  The  Christian  con-
gregations were  organized  upon  democratic  principles,  at  least
in  Greece,  and  presented  a  semblance  of  the  free  assemblies


GREECE   UNl'ER   THE   ROMANS.  291

of  former  times ;  and  the  daily  business  of  communities  was,
equally  with  their  spiritual  affairs,  transacted  under  these  pop-
ular forms.  "  From  the  moment  a  people,"  says  a  recent
writer,  "  in  the  state  of  intellectual  civilization  in  which  the
Greeks  were,  could  listen  to  the  preachers,  it  was  certain  they
would  adopt  the  religion.  They  might  alter,  modify,  or  cor-
rupt it,  but  it  was  impossible  they  should  reject  it.  The  exist-
ence of  an  assembly  in  which  the  dearest  interests  of  all  human
beings  were  expounded  and  discussed  in  the  language  of  truth,
and  with  the  most  earnest  expressions  of  persuasion,  must  have
lent  an  irresistible  charm  to  the  investigation  of  the  new  doc-
trine among  a  people  possessing  the  institutions  and  feelings  of
the  Greeks.  Sincerity,  truth,  and  a  desire  to  persuade  others,
will  soon  create  eloquence,  where  numbers  are  gathered  to-
gether. Christianity  revived  oratory,  and  with  oratory  it
awakened  many  of  the  characteristics  which  had  slept  for  ages.
