Alethaurion Short Papers for the People

s could very easily have happened, answers the other. Christ could have given the king's letter to the courier, along with His own answer, and thus both would naturally have been found at Edessa. We shall not pursue this question farther; though several other reasons are given for and against its authenticity. Catholic theologians at the present day, regard the letters as not genuine, and explain what Eusebius, St. Ephrem and others of the ancient fathers have said on the subject, by saying they were deceived by some scribe who counterfeited both letters and wished to have them pass as genuine. In the next chapter we will speak on the constitution of the Church, and while so doing will attempt to define who its members are, and what is to be thought of the prospects in the next life of those who will not enter the true fold in this. CHAPTER III. THE CONSTITUTION OF THE CHURCH In previous chapters we demonstrated the two important principles; that the Saviour established a Church ; and, that this was done before the New Testament was written. We also spoke, in general terms, of the progress of Christianity, and of the vast proportions it had assumed, even before the end of the first century. There is surely a temptation to dwell on such thoughts ; the same we experience on beholding, for the first time, amagnificent palace, or the peaks of a lofty and majestic mountain. The mind feels it has something worthy its contemplation, and expands, to gras... --This text refers to the Paperback edition.