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History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week - John N. Andrews

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day <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sun. Thus Gibbon testifies:--<br />

"The devotion <strong>of</strong> Constantine was more<br />

peculiarly directed to <strong>the</strong> genius <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sun, <strong>the</strong><br />

Apollo <strong>of</strong> Greek <strong>and</strong> Roman mythology; <strong>and</strong> he<br />

was pleased to be represented with <strong>the</strong> symbols <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> god <strong>of</strong> light <strong>and</strong> poetry. ... The altars <strong>of</strong> Apollo<br />

were crowned with <strong>the</strong> votive <strong>of</strong>ferings <strong>of</strong><br />

Constantine; <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> credulous multitude were<br />

taught to believe that <strong>the</strong> emperor was permitted to<br />

behold with mortal eyes <strong>the</strong> visible majesty <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

tutelar deity. ... The sun was universally celebrated<br />

as <strong>the</strong> invincible guide <strong>and</strong> protector <strong>of</strong><br />

Constantine."[38]<br />

His character as a pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Christianity is<br />

thus described:--<br />

"The sincerity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> man, who in a short period<br />

effected such amazing changes in <strong>the</strong> religious<br />

world, is best known to Him who searches <strong>the</strong><br />

heart. Certain it is that his subsequent life furnished<br />

no evidence <strong>of</strong> conversion to God. He waded<br />

without remorse through seas <strong>of</strong> blood, <strong>and</strong> was a<br />

593

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