The disciples, instead of scattering, organized.

They associated themselves on a principle of communism, each throwing into the common stock whatever property he possessed, and all his gains.

The widows and orphans of the community were thus supported, the poor and the sick sustained.

From this germ was developed a new, and as the events proved, all-powerful society--the Church; new, for nothing of the kind had existed in antiquity; powerful, for the local churches, at first isolated, soon began to confederate for their common interest.

Through this organization Christianity achieved all her political triumphs.
As we have said, the military domination of Rome had brought about universal peace, and had generated a sentiment of brotherhood among the vanquished nations.