WOMAN
VOLUME III
WOMEN OF EARLY CHRISTIANITY
BY
Rev. ALFRED BRITTAIN and MITCHELL CARROLL, Ph.D.
WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY
J. CULLEN AYER, Jr., Ph.D.
OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY
SEEKING SHELTER
After the painting by Luc OliverMerson
Notwithstanding all that is said in these ancient writings in theattempt to do her honor, we must conclude that the glory of the halowhich beautifies the head of the real Mary is derived by reflection fromthe moral splendor of her Son.... We need such a poetic creation asMary; and her place at the head of all the daughters of earth is themore secure and effective because her figure in authentic history is buta shadowy outline. The ideal woman whom all mankind loves and reverencesas Virgin, Mother, and Saint, is objectified by concentrating in Mary ofNazareth all possible feminine grace, beauty, and purity.
Woman
In all ages and in all countries
VOLUME III
WOMEN OF EARLY CHRISTIANITY
BY
Rev. ALFRED BRITTAIN
AND
MITCHELL CARROLL, Ph. D.
WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY
J. CULLEN AYER, Jr., Ph. D.
Of Harvard University
ILLUSTRATED
PHILADELPHIA
GEORGE BARRIE & SONS, Publishers
COPYRIGHT, 1907, BY GEORGE BARRIE & SONS
Entered at Stationers' Hall, London
INTRODUCTION
When the historian has described the rise and fall of empires anddynasties, and has recounted with care and exactness the details of thegreat political movements that have changed the map of continents, thereremains the question: What was the cause of these revolutions in humansociety--what were the real motives that were operative in the heartsand minds of the persons in the great drama of history that has beendisplayed? The mere chain of events as they have passed before the eyeas it surveys the centuries does not give an explanation of itself.There must be a cause that lies behind these events, and of which theyare but the effects. This cause, the true cause of history, lies in theminds and hearts of the men and nations. The student of the past iscoming more and more to see that the only hope of making history ascience, and not a mere chronicle, is to be found in the clearascertainment and study of those psychological conditions which havemade actions what they were. Foremost among those conditions have beenthe hopes, aspirations and ideals of men and women. These have been thegreatest motive forces in the history of the world. These, quite as muchas merely selfish considerations, have guided the conduct of the men whohave made history, not merely those who have been leaders in the greatmovements of society, but the multitude of followers who have notattracted the attention of historians, but have, nevertheless, given thestrength and force to the revolutions of the world.
The deepest interest in the history of Christian women lies in the wayin which woman's status in society has been modified by the newreligion. The chronicle of saintly life and deeds is a part of thathistory. But there are, also, women who have signally failed to attaint