CH 1, ¶3

The Christian religion was somehow established. Its first publication of its establishment must owe credit to either the Founder and his associates, or to those who, after the followers quit, quietly worked and busied themselves in the success and reproduction of the story. The latter seems unlikely. If the announcing of the religion by the Founder had not been immediately followed up by the enthusiasm and reproduction of his disciples, it would have died right away. The followers were frequent, earnest, laboriously preached, were constantly conversing with religious persons about religion, and addicted to one serious object. This kind of attitude and lifestyle would not have lasted long if the beliefs were based upon falsehoods and hollowness. (Tipton)