Introduction.

the more maturely they reflected, the more they became convinced that something superhuman must necessarily reside in the knowledge this religion imparted and in the courage it inspired. Since grace found in them a teachable heart and a sincere soul, they soon yielded and urgently desired to be accepted among the Christians.

While Idolatry original: Abgötterey — the worship of idols or false gods. was initially horrified by this loss, it was later even more terrified by the attacks these illustrious refugees dared to make against it. They exposed, on one hand, the abominations and absurdities of idol-worship original: Götzendienst., and on the other, revealed the holiness, purity, and divinity of the new religion. An astonishing erudition in every field, a strength of reasoning original: Stärke im Schließen — the ability to form logical conclusions or arguments. that nothing could resist, a perfect knowledge of everything said, taught, and practiced in both religions, and a deep-seated knowledge of the laws—of both civil and natural law—formed the foundation of the victorious apologies original: Schutzreden — formal defenses of the faith, from the Greek "apologia." that these new defenders of Christianity brought to light. These defenses filled all the pagans with amazement; they opened the eyes of some, silenced others, and daily multiplied the most magnificent conquests of this religion.

And indeed, the contrast that emerged when comparing the two religions could not have been more striking. On one side was the most sublime, most majestic, and worthiest image of the Deity that could ever be imagined; on the other, however, the absurdities,