IN CHURCH HISTORY. 6* 



total number present is supposed to have been 

 over two thousand, representing nearly every coun- 

 try, although the majority came from the East. It 

 continued its session for three months. The 

 emperor himself attended, and everything was 

 done to lend dignity and force to the proceedings. 



There were many present who had suffered 

 dreadfully in the preceding persecutions. The 

 Council, from every point of view, must be con- 

 sidered one of the most interesting, as well as one 

 of the most important, gatherings held in the 

 interests of religion. 



It met at first in a large hall, and afterwards in 

 the imperial residence. In the centre of the room, 

 upon a throne-like structure, was placed a copy of 

 the Holy Gospels. The Bishops alone seemed to 

 be considered as official members of the council, 

 but the opinions of those of lower rank were asked 

 and given. There was much discussion. Day 

 after day it continued, and sometimes with great 

 bitterness. No one could tell for awhile what the 

 end would be, nor how the majority would decide. 

 The man who stepped forward most boldly in de- 

 fence of orthodoxy, and swayed the minds of the 

 wavering, was Athanasius, a Deacon of Alexan- 

 dria, hardly twenty- five years old, the attendant of 

 the aged Bishop of that place. The force and fire 

 of his speeches chained the attention of the assem- 

 bly, discomfitted the Arians, and led to the happy 



5 



