ture; speak of the Apostolic gifts still flourishing in the church; and are quoted by later writers as the work of Ignatius.

When Ignatius was arrested he was taken to Rcme to be thrown to beasts in the Flavian amphitheater. On the way he visited with Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna. Here he wrote four of his letters, those to Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles and Rome. In his letter to Rome he asked the Christians not to use any influence to prevent his martyrdom.

His letters show his great zeal, his firm faith and fervent devotion to his Saviour. They also show the organization of the church at that early day. In them we see the various degrees of the clergy. Bishops are clearly distinguished from priests and priests from deacons. "Hearken to your bishops," he says, "and to the priesthood and to the deacons."

Polycarp, as well as Ignatius, was a disciple of St. John the Evangelist. He became the bishop of Smyrna and was martyred about the year 169 A. D. Polycarp's epistle to the Philippians is a valuable document, showing as it does the doctrine of the Holy Eucharist and that of Holy Orders.

St. Irenæus says of this epistle, "And Polycarp not only instructed by the Apostles, and associated with many of those who saw our Lord, but also made bishop of Smyrna, in Asia, by the Apostles whom we ourselves saw in our early age There exists a perfect epistle of Polycarp, written to the Philippians, from which those who wish, and who

have regard for their salvation, may learn the quality of his faith, and the preaching of truth."

Polycarp exhorts his readers to avoid heresy and avarice and to follow the example of the martyr Ignatius and others. Polycarp was a pure, true, sincere Christian, a humble follower of the Master.

Justin, one of the greatest writers of the second century, was born in Samaria in 105, and suffered martyrdom at Rome in 166 A. D. When about 30 years of age he was converted to Christianity. About the year 145 he wrote a polemical work against heretics, especially against Marcion.

His magnificent apology addressed to Antoninus Pius is the most perfect specimen of those early simple but eloquent defenses of Christianity.

He wrote another apology addressed to Marcus Aurelius. He was a distinguished pagan philosopher in his younger days, who vainly sought the truth in the various systems of Greek philosophy. Finally, his attention was attracted to Christianity. Having become a Christian, his spirit of truth, of honesty, of uprightness, of faith, merited for him the martyr's crown.

THIRD CENTURY.

22. TERTULLIAN, ORIGEN AND CYPRIAN.

Tertullian (Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus), was a noted controversialist of the third century. He was born of pagan parents at Carthage

about the year 150 and died about the year 220 A. D. He was a learned lawyer who, about the year 190, was converted to Christianity and became a priest. He preached at Carthage, Rome and other places, and afterwards joined the Montanists, a sect of heretics. Notwithstanding his fall into error, his works are an authority on the teaching of the early church.

He was a fearless champion of the church against Jews and pagans. His "Apologeticus" is one of the best defenses of the church against the pagans. Among his other writings may be mentioned

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Against the Jews," "Against Hermogenes," in which he shows that matter is not eternal, but created by God; "On Baptism"; "On The Resurrection"; in all of these and in about twenty other books we see that the teaching of the early church did not differ materially from that of the Catholic Church of to-day. Tertullian was a man of great ability, persuasive eloquence and deep learning.

Origen, on account of his great industry, was called "The man of iron." He was born in Alexandria about the year 185 and died from the effects of imprisonment, at Tyre, in the year 249.

When but 18 years of age he succeeded Clement of Alexandria in the professors' chair, and, although he fell into some errors, he won for himself immortal fame for maintaining the purity of, and explaining the Scriptures.

In the year 212, by his learning and eloquence,

he converted Ambrose, who afterwards became a great writer and doctor of the church.

Some of the writings of Origen were philosophical, some controversial and some practical. Many of them are lost. Those that remain are, "On Prayer," "On Principles," "On Martyrdom," Against Celsus," and the Hexapla and Octapla. The Hexapla was an edition of the Old Testament in 6 different columns, the Octapla in 8 different versions in parallel columns.

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His most celebrated work is his apology for Christianity contained in the eight books "Against Celsus." It is regarded as the most complete defense of Christianity that appeared in the early ages of the church.

His zeal for the church, his great learning, his wonderful industry, his able defense of truth, and his sufferings for it have made him one of the most remarkable personages in the history of God's church.

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St. Cyprian was bishop of Carthage. He is principally noted for his defense of the Unity of the Church. "All the life and blessings of Christianity," he writes, "depend on the union of the faithful with their bishops, and of all the bishops with the mother church of Rome."

Cyprian was born at Carthage of pagan parentage. He was a lawyer and a successful teacher of rhetoric. He was converted by Cecilius, a priest of Carthage, about the year 246 and afterwards devoted

himself to the study of Scripture and the Christian writers. He was particularly delighted with the writings of Tertullian, whose genius he admired, while he was careful to avoid his errors.

After his baptism he made such advancement in virtue that the people requested that he be ordained priest; and, shortly afterwards, in the year 248, he was made bishop of the then important see of Carthage. On September 16, 258, he received the crown of martyrdom.

Besides his book on the "Unity of the Church" St. Cyprian's principal writings were, "On Contempt of the World," "On the Vanity of Idols," "On Virgins," "On Good Works, "On Celibacy of the Clergy," "On Mortality."

In the last of these he exhorts Christians to imitate the saints and martyrs if they wish to go to heaven. "There we shall meet with the glorious choir of apostles, prophets, martyrs and virgins. There we shall behold the rewards of those who, by feeding the hungry and aiding the afflicted, have with their earthly treasure purchased to themselves a treasure in heaven."

FOURTH CENTURY.

23. ATHANASIUS, AMBROSE AND BASIL.

Athanasius is known principally on account of his connection with the condemnation of Arianism. He is one of the great doctors of the Eastern Church.