The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-04-02
Book Notices.

1.-THE Njcean Fathers is the title
of a work indispensable to all scholars
which has just been added to the Steep
hill library. 1t contains the writings Oh
the apostolic Fathers, or those who 1lled
up the second century of our era-though
Ireneus is rather of the sub-apostollc
period. 1t is the testimony OF witnesses,
from the times Of the apostles to those OF
Tertullian, from the martyrs of the second
persecution to those of the sixth 1hose
were times Of heroism, not OF WORDS ail
age not of writer's, but Of soldiers not OF
takers. but of sufferers, CURIOSITY is
bafiied, but faith and love are fed by these
scanty relics of primitive antiquity Inc
| first of these writer's is Clement, who was
"a Gentle and Roman, who was at PM
ippi with Paul A. D. 81, and ministered 10
the apostle and the saints. He was a CO
presbyter with Dinus and Cletus, and sue
| ceeded them in the government OF the
Roman Church His first epistle to the
Corinthians was written not long after the
persecution of Nero. and is the legacy OF
one who reflects the apostolic age in all the
beauty and evangelical truth which were
the first fruits OF the SPIRITS presence
with the Church The order in which the
writer's appear is as follows:
l. Clement >. Mathetas ,. Polycarp.
f. Ignatius. s. Barnabas. 6. Papias. Z.
Iashr Martyr 8. Ireneus.
This constitutes the first volume Of Il
work first issued in Edinburg in "A vol
umes at $1,000 The American reprint is
under the editorial charge of Right Rev.
A. G. Coke.
The writings come down to us rs the
earliest response of converted nations to
the testimony Of Jesus. They are primary
evidences of the Canon and the credibility
of she New Testament. Disappointment
may be the first emotion of the student
who comes down from the mount where
he has dwelt in the tabernacles Of evangel
iSt and apostles for these disciples are
confessediy Inferior to the Master: they
speak with the voices Of inlirm and fall
| lible men. and not like the New Tesla
| ment writer's. with the fiery tongues Of
| the Holy Ghost. Yet the thoughtful
spirit soon learns their exceeding value.
| For who does not close the records Of st.
Luke with longingS To get at least a
glimpse of the further history of the
progress of the Gospel What OF the
Church when its founders were fallen
asleep: Was the Good Shepherd always
with his little flock, according to his
promise? Was tie Blessed Comforter
felt in his pr sence amid. the fires Of per
seeution? Was the Spirit.of Truth really
able to guide the faithful into all truth,
and to keep them in the truth And what
had become of the disciples who were the
first fruits of the apostolic ministry St
Paul had said The same commit thou
to faithful men. who shall be able to teach
others also. How was this Injunction
realized ST. Peters words come to mind,
Il will endeavor that ye may be able after
my decease to,have these things always in
| remembrance. Was this endeayor sue
cessfully carried out ? To these inquiries
this book gives an emphatic reply. 1t is a
monument to the power Of the Gospel.
1t should be deeply studied by all scholars,
but more especially by all clergymen