The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1899-11-08

4
Hebrews.
The books that are referred to
in this period are all but 2 and 3
John, Jude, Revelation. They
do not usually make exact quo
tations but give the sense and
reproduce any remarkable words,
and show familiarity with the
facts of our Lords life and ali
references agree with the state
ments In our Gospels. They 90
not know a fixed canon but indi.
cate how il might be established
t1) in their respect for the Old
Testament as inspired ~ and in
their recognition of the apostolic
writings as equal to the Old Tes-
lament in authority and superior
TO their own productions.
(b) AGE OF THE APOLOGIES 120- 40
ID.
Only a brief glance may be
taken of this period. The writ
ings of this time are varied so
as to meet persecution, heresy
and controversy and the subjects
did not require much exact cita-
ton.
The most important witness is
Justin Martyr. After many at
tempts to find a suitable philoso.
pny for life, Justin accepted
Christianity, from which time he
became the philosopher champi-
on of his religion until he was
accused of of heresy, arrested,
scourged and beheaded at Rome
about 165 A. d. From this time
he has been known as Justin
Martyr. His most important
work is his "Memoirs. "'It
will be found that the Catholic
Epistles and the Epistles TO Titus
and Philemon alone of the writ
ings of the New Testament have
left no impression on the genu-
inc or doubtful works of Justin
Martyr"
During this perio there are
clear references to all books Of
the canon but 2 Peter. The forms
of doctrines held by men in diff
ferentsections correspond to those
taught in the canon. The New
| Testament has become rule of
faith. The testimony Of the ear
| ly versions such as the Peshitto
and Old Latin may not now b.
considered; some reference will
be made to them in another lee
ture.
Among the early heretics may
be mentioned Marcion (about 140
| A. ID. and Tatian. The former
is noted for his canon consisting
of Luke, and ten of Paules Epis-
| ties. He rejected the others be.
cause they did not agree with his
| doctrines. Tatian is important
for his DIATESsARoN-the Gospel
bv the Four. This is the first
harmony of the Gospel ever writ
ten.
2. Second period, "a. d. TO
303) to the persecution Of Dio-
cletian, may be called the age OF
ecclesiastical separation. In this
period the sacred writings were
! clearly separated from profane
! writings. The Apocryphal writ
I, ings pass out of notice and we
tcannot suppose that they were
any longer confounded with the
apostolic books.
3. Third period--(303- 397 A
ID. the formal recognition Of lht
canon.
The third Council of Carthage
1891 ratified the canon of tne
New Testament and SUBSEQUENT.
ly churches in different quarters
of the world confirmed the de.
cision of this council.
We have thus given a brie
sketch of the formation OF the
canon. Much ma srial was nee.
; essarily omitted. Ahe student o
this subject will find abundant ev.
idence TO satisfy the mind on tn,
2 validity Of our canon. God works
! Through human instrumentalities
: and, though his hand may be an,
! seen, his purposes are realized
/; We do not follow ''old wives IA,
] bles' when we how with reverenc,
before that revelation of God tha
We find in our Bible. With great,
er assurance we may sing
"On Christ the solid rock stand,
! All other ground is sinking sand"
7 r7rrruTrr, rom