It was on this account that he had got rid of him, knowing that their presence would do no harm.

Then he reminds the people of all that the gods have done for them, and addresses them in language which makes one feel that they did believe in their gods.

It is one instance, one out of many which history and experience afford us, in which an honest and a good man has endeavored to use for salutary purposes a faith in which he has not himself participated.

Does the bishop of to-day, when he calls upon his clergy to pray for fine weather, believe that the Almighty will change the ordained seasons, and cause his causes to be inoperative because farmers are anxious for their hay or for their wheat?
But he feels that when men are in trouble it is well that they should hold communion with the powers of heaven.

So much also Cicero believed, and therefore spoke as he did on this occasion.