ORIGEN AND CELSUS, 
365 
it the symbol of some spiritual reality, and every 
event of it intrinsically probable as it availed for the 
edification and elevation of the human soul. 'Chus 
the data do not exist to establish an evidential con- 
clusion. "The carly Christians did not inquire, and 
therefore have left no record of inquiry. St, Paul 
was converted by a vision. "The vision was sufficient 
for him, and he pointedly abstained from examining 
witnesses or strengthening his conviction by outward 
testimony. To us the ultimate fact is the existence 
of belief—belief created by such evidence as was 
convincing to the minds of the first converts. The 
evidence was sufficient for them, but they did not 
argue as we argue; their methods of inference were 
not our methods of inference; we can see only 
Christianity coming into existence as a living force ; 
and, as of the vak tree, we do not ask, Is it true, or 18 
it false? we ask, Is it alive ? so with Christianity, we 
see a spiritual germ, quickened suddenly into active 
being, which grew and took possession of the human 
race, overthrowing every other force with which it 
came into col’ision, and eventually revolutionizing 
the entire character of human thought and energy. 
Life is not truth merely, but it is, as Plato says, 
TO Ex(Kewa Tiüjs AAndelas, something above truth and 
more than truch - w force in visible operation which