The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-11


that he has explained the principal remaining
mysteries in astronomy in very simple as
we'll rs comprehensive way. But perhaps the
astronomers will not so readily believe that
the great secret OF the universe Is out.
The whole subject, however. ia one OF par
ticuar interest just now. when new light is
constantly dawning upon questions Of celes-
tial physics.
Christian Literature or the Second Century.
We are indebted to three members OF the
faculty Of tho University OF Dublin for col
lection OF interesting essays on THE Ltera-
turo OF the Second Century" with special ref
ercnce to Its bearing on the subject OF Chris
tian evidences New York. James Pott 4 Cob
One Of tho authors. the Rev. Frederick r.
Wynne. holds the chair OF Professor Of Pas
toral Theology: another. the Rev. John Henry
Bernard. is lecturer In divinity. and the third.
the Rev. Samuel Hcmphil. is Professor Of
Biblical Greek Representing as they all do
Trinity College. Dublin. the chief bulwark OF
the Anglican Church In Ireland. they write Of
course from the viewpoint Of Protestant theo-
logians. neither adhcrng to the positions
Of Roman Catholic authorities nor adopting
the conclusions of the advanced German crit
les regarding tho beginnings Of Christianity.
They have gone. however. for their materials
to the original sources and the outcome Of
their labors reflects credit on tho learning and
insight Of English biblical scholars. OF
their six essays. which frs. appeared in
the form Of university lectures. two seem to us
Of especial value. those. namely. which discuss
respectively the gradual growth of the New
Testament canon and the apocryphal gospels.
mcnt canon DR.. Wynne reminds us that Do
cletian. about A. D. BOB tried to consiRn the
Christian Scriptures to the same complete
destruction which some five centuries
earlier n Chinese Emperor had planned
against the writings of Confucius. Previously
the Roman persecution had been directed
against persons; this attack was levelled not
only against persons. but against books.
Eusebus the principal Christian historian of
the epoch. records that he saw with his own
eyes the inspired and sacred Scriptures con-
signed to fire in tho open market places" But
all the documents which had been handed
down among the followers OF Jesus were not
regarded as equally holy. and consequently
when Christians We're ordered on pain OF tor
ture and death to give up their sacred writ
ings. the question arosc which might they
lawfully surrender and which was it impcra-
wv W '"eut " heeP Ahc poi"hPt"i' oic'o'
hea'heh a"thoflty maze II important 10 nave
some definite canon or rule by which
timid Christians could be guided SO US
to DO sure Of the difference between
merely good books and inspired books.
From the heat Of the controversy arising
upon TINS SUBJECT Issued the express
sion canonical as general ute lor
the APOSTOLIC writings. Ihe word canon. or
straight RUE mad been used before with
regard 10 right doctrihe; from the era OF the
Diocletlan persecution IL came 70 DE anpned
to the books that were accepted by the Church
as rightly belonging 70 the New Iesta-
ment. Or. "ynnes purpose IL to follow the
grown Vi the iuea Expressed py 'he "ord
canon from vague Heherai eonscio"shess I'd
a distihct registration.
strange to say the lrst extant list OF New
Testament winnings IL tue work 81 her-
etic' though the TACT OF MS having maze
one Tor the nso Oh MS loilowcrs seems TO
Justify the inference that there were Ill ex-
istence other lists OF which he disapproved. 1t
was Marcion. one OF the heresiarchs OF the
first hall OF hesccond century. who formed II
collection OF sacred books as the ground ami
test OF his teaching. it consists OF two parts
the gospel ana tho apostolicon. Inc
gospel was thar OF ~. Luxe. though the trNt
was somewhat hammered win; tie apostolIron
comprised ten epistles Of st. Paul. Somewhat
later ana belonging apparently to date be-
tween A. u. 100 and ITO. Is encountered Sec
ond list OF books that were at that time gen
orally accepted by tho Christian Church.
THIS IL called the MIatoran Fragment
having been discovered by Muratori in the
Ambrosiah Library at Milan during the seven
Feenth century Iherc Is reason 10 peileve
mat 1t was brought to Milan from the old
irish monastery OF bobbio. VI this fragment
Tho beginning and end arc lost: 1t commences
win a broken sentence. which evidently re-
|ers TO the position OF Ut. Marx gospel The
writer goe" on % say that tho gospel ac-
'ording to NJ. Luke stands third IN order. |
having been written by Luke. the physician. |
he companion OF st. Paul. The fourth place
= assigned to tho gospel of Vt. John. n dis
'iplc ofthe Lord The writer next dcsignates
he Aces eId thirtesn epistles OF NJ. raul |
After this h" treats of books which are in
circulation. but which, he says cannot he re-
'eived into the Catholic Church. for gall can
iot DO mingled with honey lie specifically
names. however. the Epistie OF Jude and ii.
John and the Apocalypse OF John. and Peter: