New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-18
Could an authentic copy Of the epistles -
the Philippians be seen nowhere but at Phihpplt

Could an authentic copy OF the epistles -
the Philippians be seen nowhere but at Phinpptt
OF that the Corinthians. nowhere but at Cornths
The quotations from the New Testament. in the writ
ings Of the second century numerous that wero
the sacred volume lost. large part Of 1t might 10
collected from them alone. Passing by the testimonies
of MeHto Bishop Sardis, who wrote commentary
on the Book Of Revelation, and OF Hegesippus con-
vertcd from Judaism. and OF Tatian who composed
harmony OF the Gospels. all born about the time OF
the death OF St John. come to Justin Martyr born
about ten years prior to that event Before his con-
version from heathensm, he studied philosophy In
the schools of the stoccs Pcripatecs Pythagorans.
and Platonists. After becoming Christian. he oc-
cnpied high stand in learned writing and holy living
His remaining works contain numerous quotations
FROM we'll illusions to. the four Gospels which
he uniformly represents containing the genuine
and authentic accounts Of Jesus Christ and hs
doctrine The same is true In relation to the Acts
OF the Apostles, and the greater part Of the Epistes
The Book of Revelation is expressly said by Justin to
have been written by John one Of the Apostles oil
Christ Having lived before the death OF that Auostle.
he had the best opportunity Of knowing
ave finish the second century with Papas. Bishop OF
IIlerapolis, in Asia. whom Ircnaeus speaks OF as
bearer OF john and disciple OF Polycarp. pupil
OF John the Apostle. Gardner. 1866 How he obs
tanned his information will appear from the only frag.
ment OF his writings remaining. 1t Is found In Eu-
sebius. IL at any time met with one who had
conversed with tie elders. inquired after the savings
OF the elders (prsbyters what Andrew what Peter
said or what Philip. Thomas. or James had said:
what John or Matthew what any other Of the dis
cipes OF the Lord, were wont 10 say This We nave
q witness who lived near enough TO the beginning -
inquire OF those who had converscd with tho Apostles.
IL not TO listen to ST. John himself Too little remains
Of his writings furnish many testimonies. especial
" he had II not In view to confirm the authenticity
OF any part of Scripture: but s1ll he gives verv
valuable testimony 10 the Gospels Of Matthew ana
Mark, and the first epistles OF Peter and John. lie
allude. to the Acts and the Book Of Revelation. Thus
wo have assembled to the Apostolic age. But We
may reach still higher. We have In our possession
the observation-disclosures writings Of five individuals
and fathers IN the primitive church. who. because
they were contemporary with the Apostles are cae9
apostolic fathers. Three Of them. Barnabas, Clemeno
and Herman. mentioned by name In the New
TIE staInent the fourth POlycarp was an Immediate dis
cple OF st. John: the fifth, lSnatus. enjoyed tho
privilege OF frequent intercourse with tie Apostles.
There T. scarcely book Of the New Testament WINCH
one or another of these writers has not ccer quotco
or alluded TO. Tho Apostles and disciples OF Chrso
are known have left some writings. That those
believing II il not pretended that any other voiuno
than that OF the New Testament contains them: The
hooks contained in this volume considered 10 be
The writings Of the Apostles by the whole tnrstah
Church. far back aS those who were tneir con-
,cmporares and companions being continually quoten
and alluded to as such. II impossible That sucn
witnesses should b. deceived. Contemporaries ana
companons must have known whether they quoed tne
genuine works OF the Apostles or only forgeres pre-"
| tending to their names" lNTEhtoltD'
Lay Bay Ridge, l.. J., Jan. L. 1892.