m-TREE. 229 



persons ready to turn this superstition to some 

 account, they built a chapel for this goddess, 

 where was offered not only a wolf's skin, but 

 whole carcasses of sheep likewise, as a secu- 

 rity to the rest of the flock from the jaws of 

 the wolf. As offerings multiplied, the at- 

 tendance on the chapel increased ; the hunts- 

 men attracted pilgrims to the altar of pines, 

 and the pilgrims allured dealers of necessaries 

 to the spot. Thus, a town sprang up around 

 the chapel, naturally filled with crafty and 

 credulous persons. At length, oracles were 

 announced and victories predicted ; for which, 

 generals and kings sent magnificent presents, 

 until one of the chapels became a temple of 

 such vast size and magnificence, as to be 

 deemed one of the seven wonders of the 

 world. It was this temple which is men- 

 tioned in the Acts of the Apostles, by selling 

 silver models of which, the silversmiths of 

 Ephesus made such great profit ; and which 

 they were in danger of losing by the intro- 

 duction of Christianity. They, therefore, 

 excited a furious tumult against its first 

 preachers, whose principles were too pure, 

 and full of charity and humanity, to be at 

 first understood by the heathens ; whose 

 priests, no doubt, knew that fear has greater 

 influence over the human mind, in general, 



q 3 



