INTRODUCTORY NOTICE.

[A.D. 100-200.] The APOSTOLIC FATHERS are here considered to fill the second century of our era. Irenæus, it is true, belongs rather to the sub-apostolic period; yet, as a disciple of Polycarp, he should not be separated from that Father’s company. We thus find ourselves guided, by this noble fellowship of witnesses, from the times of the apostles to those of Tertullian, and from the martyrs of the second persecution to those of the sixth. Those were times of heroism rather than of words; an age not of writers, but of soldiers; not of talkers, but of sufferers. Curiosity is baffled, but faith and love are nourished by these brief relics of primitive antiquity. Yet, we may well be grateful for what we have. These writings come down to us as the earliest response of converted nations to the testimony of Jesus. They are primary evidence for the Canon The recognized list of authoritative books of the Bible. and the credibility of the New Testament. The student descending from the mountain where he has lived with the evangelists and apostles may initially feel disappointed: for these disciples are admittedly inferior to their masters; they speak with the voices of infirm and fallible men, not with the fiery tongues of the Holy Spirit, as the New Testament writers did. Yet the thoughtful and loving spirit soon learns their immense value. For who does not close the records of St. Luke with a longing to glimpse the further history of the Gospel's progress? What happened to the Church when its founders had fallen asleep? Was the Good Shepherd “always” with His little flock, according to His promise? Was the Blessed Comforter A title for the Holy Spirit. felt in His presence amid the fires of persecution? Was the Spirit of Truth really able to guide the faithful into all truth, and to keep them in it?

What had become of the disciples who were the first fruits of the apostolic ministry? St. Paul had said, “The same commit you to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” How was this instruction fulfilled? St. Peter’s touching words come to mind: “I will endeavor that you may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.” Was this endeavor successfully carried out? To these natural and pious inquiries, the Apostolic Fathers—though we have only a few specimens of their faithfulness—give an emphatic reply. If the cold-hearted and critical find no charm in the simple, childlike faith they exhibit, ennobled though it be by heroic devotion to the Master, we need not marvel. Such people would likely object:

“They teach me nothing; I do not enjoy their frequent citations from Scripture.”

The answer is:

“If you are familiar with Scripture, you owe it in large part to these primitive witnesses to its Canon and its spirit. By their testimony, we detect what is spurious and identify what is authentic. Is it nothing to find that your Bible is their Bible, your faith their faith, your Saviour their Saviour, your God their God?”

Let us reflect also that, when copies of the entire Scriptures were rare and costly, these citations were “words fitly spoken—apples of gold in settings of silver.” They also teach us that they obeyed the apostle’s command: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing,” etc. Thus, they reflect the apostolic care that men should be raised up who are able to teach others also.