The Pilgrim Church by EH Broadbent

210 Pages·2011·1.4 MB·English

by  Warren Doud

THE PILGRIM CHURCH

BEING SOME ACCOUNT OF THE CONTINUANCE
THROUGH SUCCEEDING CENTURIES
OF CHURCHES PRACTISING THE
PRINCIPLES TAUGHT AND
EXEMPLIFIED IN THE
NEW TESTAMENT

E. H. BROADBENT

LONDON
PICKERING & INGLIS LTD.

PICKERING & INGLIS LTD.
29 LUDGATE HILL, LONDON E.G.4
229 BOTHWELL STREET, GLASGOW, C. 2
Fleming H. Revell Company, 316 Third Avenue, New Jersey
Home Evangel, 418 Church Street, Toronto

First Impression ...1931
Second ...1935
Third ...1946
Fourth ...1950
Fifth ...1955

Made and Printed in Great Britain
The Pilgrim Church
by E. H. Broadbent

Table of Contents

Preface ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Chapter I - Beginnings .......................................................................................................................................................... 6
Chapter II - Christianity in Christendom .................................................................................................................... 15
Chapter III - Paulicians and Bogomils ....................................................................................................................... 26
Chapter IV - The East ........................................................................................................................................................ 39
Chapter V - Waldensians and Albigensians ........................................................................................................... 48
Chapter VI - Churches at the Close of the Middle Ages .................................................................................. 57
Chapter VII - Lollards, Hussites, The United Brethren ...................................................................................... 64
Chapter VIII - The Reformation ..................................................................................................................................... 76
Chapter IX - The Anabaptists ........................................................................................................................................ 82
Chapter X - France and Switzerland ....................................................................................................................... 110
Chapter XI - English Nonconformists ...................................................................................................................... 124
Chapter XII - Labadie, the Pietists, Zinzendorf, Philadelphia ..................................................................... 134
Chapter XIII - Methodist and Missionary Movements ..................................................................................... 150
Chapter XIV - The West ................................................................................................................................................ 160
Chapter XV - Russia ........................................................................................................................................................ 166
Chapter XVI - Groves, Müller, Chapman .............................................................................................................. 181
Chapter XVII - Questions of Fellowship and of Inspiration .......................................................................... 194
Chapter XVIII - Conclusions ........................................................................................................................................ 205
List of Books ........................................................................................................................................................................ 208
The Pilgrim Church 3

God which, at different times and in various
Preface
places, have endeavored in their meetings,
There is one history, which, though it contains
order, and testimony to make the Scriptures
the darkest tragedy, yet by common consent is
their guide and to act upon them as the Word of
called "The Good News", "The Glad Tidings", or
God, counting them as sufficient for all their
by a name which it has captured and made its
needs in all their circumstances.
own: "The Gospel".
There have always been such churches; the
Its four historians are uniquely known as "The
records of most have disappeared, but what
Four Evangelists", or tellers forth of the Good
remain are of such volume that only a selection
News. This history tells how, by a miraculous
can be given.
birth, God entered into a relationship to man
General history is left out of account, except
which even creation had not established, and
where the course of some of these churches
by a sacrificial death and mighty resurrection
requires reference to current events. Neither is
vanquished death, put away sin its cause, and
any account given of what is usually
to His glory as Creator added that of Redeemer.
understood by "ecclesiastical" history, except in
The foundations of this history, the preparation
its relation to the churches or congregations of
for it, indeed the actual foretelling of it and
believers carrying out the teachings of
evidences of its truth precede it in the
Scripture, which are the subject of this
Scriptures of the Old Testament. Interwoven
narrative.
with these, inseparable from them, is the
Some spiritual movements are considered
History of Israel, which is therefore itself one of
which only partially accepted the principle of
universal value.
taking the Scriptures as sufficient guide,
The History of the Church or company of those
because in their measure these too throw
who by faith have received Christ and become
valuable light on the possibility of such a
His followers, is still in the making, not yet
course.
complete. On this account and because of its
In addition to the works mentioned below, and
immense extent, although it is of supreme
others also, advantage has been taken of the
importance, parts only of it can be written and
help so richly provided and placed within the
from time to time. First one, then another, must
reach of most by such works as the
relate what he has seen or has learned from
"Encyclopedia Britannica" and Hastings'
trustworthy records, and this must be taken up
"Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics".
and added to as stage after stage of the long
pilgrimage is traversed. A beginner may look up the subject in one of
these standard works of reference, where he
The following pages are a contribution to the
will be directed to some of the literature
unfolding story. Much that others have
considered as authoritative. In reading a
searched out and related has been made use of,
selection of this he will be referred to the
repeated, woven in, so that this book is a
original authorities and also (as these are not
compilation, to which is added the writer's
always available) to their most trustworthy
individual share in the growing narrative. It is
expositors. In the present volume the books
hoped and expected that the frequent
used and referred to are mostly well known
quotations from and references to the works of
and accessible; sometimes a popular work has
several authors will lead the readers of this
been chosen in preference to one more erudite,
volume to turn to the books from which so
so that anyone interested may get fuller
much has been derived, and thus come to share
information more easily. Where books written
more fully in the fruits of the patient labors and
in languages other than English are made use
able expositions of their authors. An attempt is
of, translations are referred to if they are to be
made in this book to introduce those who have
had, but sometimes there are none, and then
not much time for reading or research, into
some of the experiences of certain churches of
The Pilgrim Church 4

the original works are named for the benefit of antiquarian, later Sir Arthur Evans. "Essays on
those who can read them. the Latin Orient" by William Miller, has also
In the beginning of the History, "The Ante- been made use of. The chapter on the Eastern
Nicene Christian Library" provides a store of Churches, especially the Nestorian, owes very
information from which much has been drawn. much to "Le Christianisme dans l'Empire Perse
When the time of Marcion is reached, "Marcion sous la Dynastie Sassanide" by J. Labourt; to
Das Evangelium vom Fremden Gott" by Ad. v. "The Syrian Churches" by J. W. Etheridge; and
Harnack is used, and for matters connected to "Early Christianity Outside the Roman
with the Roman Empire, "East and West Empire" by F. C. Burkitt M. A. The account of
Through Fifteen Centuries" by Br.-Genl. G. F. the Synod of Seleucia is taken chiefly from "Das
Young C. B. For Augustine "A Select Library of Buch des Synhados" by Oscar Braun, while
the Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers of the "Nestorius and his Teachings" by J. Bethune-
Christian Church" translated and annotated by Baker, has supplied most of what is given about
J. C. Pilkington, M. A. edited by Philip Schaff, is a Nestorius, and "The Bazaar of Heraclides of
guide. "Latin Christianity" by Dean Milman, Damascus" by the same author, has especially
helps in several periods. We are indebted to been quoted; these give a vivid picture of
Georg Schepps for the true history of Priscillian Nestorius and should be read in full if possible.
and his teaching. His book, "Priscillian ein For the description of the spread of the
Neuaufgefundener Lat. Schriftsteller des 4 Nestorians into China, "Cathay and the Way
Jahrhunderts" describes his discovery in the Thither" by Col. Sir Henry Yule, published by
Würzburg University, in 1886, of the important the Hakluyt Society, is of great interest and has
MS. of the Spanish Reformer. This MS. is been freely drawn upon.
examined and explained by Friedrich Paret in Coming to the times of the Waldenses and
his "Priscillianus Ein Reformator des Vierten Albigenses, "The Ancient Vallenses and
Jahrhunderts Eine Kirchengeschichtliche Studie Albigenses" by G. S. Faber, and "Facts and
zugleich ein Kommentar zu den Erhaltenen Documents illustrative of the History Doctrine
Schriften Priscillians", and much has been and Rites of the Ancient Albigenses and
drawn from this valuable commentary. Waldenses" by S. R. Maitland, have been
Important information as to those called referred to very fully. Perhaps the largest use
Paulicians is given in "Die Paulikianer im has been made of the works of Dr. Ludwig
Byzantischen Kaiserreiche etc." by Karapet Ter- Keller, especially for the history and teaching of
Mkrttschian, Archdeacon of Edschmiatzin, the the Waldenses. His position as Keeper of State
centre of the Armenian Church. An invaluable Archives, giving access as it does to most
book for the period is "The Key of Truth A important documents, has been used by him to
Manual of the Paulician Church of Armenia" investigate the histories of those known as
translated and edited by F. C. Conybeare. The "heretics", and his publications are an
document was discovered by the translator in invaluable contribution to the understanding of
1891 in the library of the Holy Synod at these much misunderstood people. Dr. Keller's
Edjmiatzin; his notes and comments are of the book, "Die Reformation und die älteren
utmost interest and value. The discovery of the Reformparteien" is a mine of information and
"Key of Truth" raises the hope that other all who can do so should read it. Use has also
documents illustrating the faith and teaching of been made of his book "Ein Apostel der
the brethren may yet be found. The history of Wiedertäufer" and of a number of others
the Bogomils in the Balkan Peninsula is largely written or issued by him. Of the time of the
drawn from "An Official Tour Through Bosnia Reformation, the "Life and Letters of Erasmus"
and Herzegovina" by J. de Asboth, Member of by J. A. Froude, gives a vivid picture, and "A
the Hungarian Parliament, and from "Through Short History of the English People" by John
Bosnia and the Herzegovina on Foot etc." by A. Richard Green, is a constant help by giving in
J. Evans, the distinguished traveler and an interesting and reliable way the historical
The Pilgrim Church 5

setting of the particular events related. events in France is indebted to the "History of
"England in the Age of Wycliffe" by George the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century" by J.
Macaulay Trevelyan has been used, and much H. Merle D' Aubigné, translated by H. White and
has been taken from "John Wycliffe and his for Farel, to the "Life of William Farel" by
English Precursors" by Lechher (translated). Frances Bevan, one of several interesting
"The Dawn of the Reformation the Age of Hus" works of similar character by the same
by H. B. Workman, has been used; his authoress. Another work by Merle D' Aubigné
references to authorities are valuable. here made much use of is "The Reformation in
Considerable quotations have been made from Europe in the Time of Calvin", "The Huguenots,
Cheltschizki's "Das Netz des Glaubens" their Settlements Churches and Industries in
translated from Old Czech into German by Karl England and Ireland" by Samuel Smiles, gives
Vogel. The description of the Moravian Church much of value about the Huguenots. "Un Martyr
is based to a large extent on the "History of the du Désert Jacques Roger" by Daniel Benoit, tells
Moravian Church" by J. E. Hutton, issued by the of the "Churches of the Desert" after the
Moravian Publication Office, while for Revocation of the Edict of Nantes.
Comenius "Das Testament der Sterbenden Returning to England, the "Memoir of William
Mutter" and "Stimme der Trauer", both Tyndale" by George Offor, is quoted and
translations into German from Bohemian, the otherwise referred to. The book most used in
former by Dora Peřina, the latter by Franz the account of the Nonconformists in England
Slaměnik, are quoted. One of the books most is "A History of the Free Churches of England"
used is the very valuable one, "A History of the by Herbert S. Skeats, which would well repay
Reformation" by Thos. M. Lindsay. "Die Taufe. reading; and "A Popular History of the Free
Gedanken über die urchristliche Taufe, ihre Churches" by C. Silvester Horne, gives an
Geschichte und ihre Bedeutung für die interesting account of these churches. The
Gegenwart" by J. Warns, is of great value, "Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity" of Richard
especially for the history of the Anabaptists, Hooker, is referred to. The "Journal of George
and its many references to authorities are Fox" supplies the best information as to his life.
useful. The important and deeply interesting Three books which give excellent histories of
records of the Anabaptists in Austria are taken the spiritual movements in Germany and
from "Fontes Rerum Austriacarum" and other surrounding countries after the Reformation
publications by Dr. J. Beck and Joh. Loserth, have been largely made use of: "Geschichte des
which are referred to in more detail in the Christlichen Lebens in der rheinisch-
footnotes to the pages where this part of the westphälischen Kirche" by Max Goebel;
history is related. The history of the "Geschichte des Pietismus und der Mystik in
Mennonites in Russia is chiefly found in der Reformirten Kirche u.s.w." by Heinr. Heppe;
"Geschichte der Alt-Evangelischen Mennoniten and "Geschichte des Pietismus in der
Brüderschaft in Russland" by P. M. Friesen, reformirten Kirche" by Albrecht Ritschl. "John
who was appointed by the "Mennoniten- Wesley's Journal" is the best source for an
Brüdergemeinde" as their historian, and account of his life. "The Life of William Carey
supplied by them with the documentary Shoemaker and Missionary" by George Smith,
evidence they possessed; use is also made of supplies most of what is told here of him. The
"Fundamente der Christlichen Lehre u.s.w." by account of the brother Haldane is taken chiefly
Joh. Deknatel. Of the book by Pilgram Marbeck, from the "Lives of Robert and James Haldane"
"Vermanung etc.", summarized, only two copies by Alexander Haldane. For Russia and the
are known to exist, one of which is in the Stundists, in addition to the "Geschichte etc.," of
British Museum. Very considerable use has P. M. Friesen, a useful book is "Russland und
been made of the valuable book by Karl Ecke, das Evangelium" by J. Warns. In the history of
"Schwenckfeld, Luther und der Gedanke einer the rise of the German Baptists use is made of
Apostolischen Reformation". The chapter on "Johann Gerhard Oncken, His Life and Work" by
The Pilgrim Church 6

John Hunt Cook. For later movements in rudimentary beginning of a new era which
England etc., some MSS. have been available, requires constant modification and addition to
and "A History of the Plymouth Brethren" by W. meet the needs of changing times, but a
Blair Neatby, has been consulted. Extensive revelation suited to all men in all times. Jesus
extracts have been made from the "Memoir of Christ cannot be made known to us better than
the late Anthony Norris Groves, containing He is in the four Gospels, nor can the
Extracts from his Letters and Journals" consequences or doctrines, which flow from
compiled by his widow, illustrating the the facts of His death and resurrection be more
important part the teaching and example of truly taught than they are in the Epistles.
Groves played in the history of churches of the The Old Testament records the formation and
New Testament type. "A Narrative of some of history of Israel, the people through whom God
the Lord's Dealings with George Müller" has revealed Himself in the world until Christ
been used as the best account of Müller's should come. The New Testament reveals the
influential testimony; and details of the life of Church of Christ, consisting of all who are born
R. C. Chapman have been taken from "Robert again through faith in the Son of God and so
Cleaver Chapman of Barnstaple" by W. H. made partakers of the Divine and Eternal Life
Bennet, his personal friend. "Collected Writings (John 3. 16).
of J. N. Darby" edited by William Kelly, is used
As this body, the whole Church of Christ, cannot
to show Darby's teaching. "Nazarenes in
be seen and cannot act in any one place, since
Jugoslavia" published in the United States by
many of its members are already with Christ
the "Nazarenes", and various pamphlets, give
and others scattered throughout the world, it is
information as to the movement connected
appointed to be actually known and to bear its
with the people bearing this name.
testimony in the form of churches of God in
The tragedy and glory of "The Pilgrim Church" various places and at different times. Each of
can only be faintly indicated as yet, nor can these consists of those disciples of the Lord
they be fully known until the time comes when Jesus Christ who, in the place where they live,
the Word of the Lord is fulfilled: "there is gather together in His Name. To such the
nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and presence of the Lord in their midst is promised
hid, that shall not be known" (Matt. 10. 26). At and the manifestation of the Holy Spirit is given
present, albeit through mists of our ignorance in different ways through all the members
and misunderstanding, we see her warring (Matt. 18. 20; 1 Cor. 12.7).
against the powers of darkness, witnessing for
Each of these churches stands in direct
her Lord in the world, suffering as she follows
relationship to the Lord, draws its authority
in His footsteps. Her people are ever pilgrims,
from Him and is responsible to Him (Rev. 2 and
establishing no earthly institution, because
3). There is no suggestion that one church
having in view the heavenly city. In their
should control another or that any organized
likeness to their Master they might be called
union of churches should exist, but an intimate
Stones which the Builders Rejected (Luke 20.
personal fellowship unites them (Acts 15.36).
17), and they are sustained in the confident
The chief business of the churches is to make
hope that, when His kingdom is revealed, they
known throughout the world the Gospel or
will be sharers in it with Him.
Glad Tidings of Salvation. This the Lord
commanded before His ascension, promising to
Chapter I - Beginnings
give the Holy Spirit as the power in which it
The New Testament is the worthy completion
should be accomplished (Acts 1. 8).
of the Old. It is the only proper end to which the
Events in the history of the churches in the
Law and the Prophets could have led. It does
time of the Apostles have been selected and
not do away with them but enriches, in
recorded in the Book of the Acts in such a way
fulfilling and replacing them. It has in itself the
as to provide a permanent pattern for the
character of completeness, presenting, not the
The Pilgrim Church 7

churches. Departure from this pattern has had said, "from you sounded out the word of the
disastrous consequences, and all revival and Lord" (1 Thess. 1. 8). Although each church was
restoration have been due to some return to independent of any organization or association
the pattern and principles contained in the of churches, yet intimate connection with other
Scriptures. churches was maintained, a connection
The following account of some later events, continually refreshed by frequent visits of
compiled from various writers, shows that brethren ministering the Word (Acts 15. 36).
there has been a continuous succession of The meetings being held in private houses, or
churches composed of believers who have in any rooms that could be obtained, or in the
made it their aim to act upon the teaching of open air, no special buildings were required.
the New Testament. This succession is not This drawing of all the members into the
necessarily to be found in any one place, often service, this mobility and unorganized unity,
such churches have been dispersed or have permitting variety which only emphasized the
degenerated, but similar ones have appeared in bond of a common life in Christ and indwelling
other places. The pattern is so clearly of the same Holy Spirit, fitted the churches to
delineated in the Scriptures as to have made it survive persecution and to carry out their
possible for churches of this character to spring commission of bringing to the whole world the
up in fresh places and among believers who did message of salvation.
not know that disciples before them had taken The first preaching of the Gospel was by Jews
the same path, or that there were some in their and to Jews, and in it frequent use was made of
own time in other parts of the world. Points of the synagogues. The synagogue system is the
contact with more general history are noted simple and effectual means by which the
where the connection helps to an national sense and religious unity of the Jewish
understanding of the churches described. people have been preserved throughout the
Some spiritual movements are referred to centuries of their dispersion among the
which, though they did not lead to the nations. The centre of the synagogue is the
formation of churches on the New Testament Scriptures of the Old Testament, and the power
pattern, nevertheless throw light on those of Scripture and synagogue is shown in the fact
which did result in the founding of such that the Jewish Diaspora has neither been
churches. crushed by the nations nor absorbed into them.
The chief objects of the synagogue were the
From Pentecost there was a rapid spread of the
reading of Scripture, the teaching of its
Gospel. The many Jews who heard it at the feast
precepts, and prayer; and its beginnings go
at Jerusalem when it was first preached, carried
back to ancient times. In the seventy-fourth
the news to the various countries of their
Psalm is the complaint: "Thine enemies roar in
dispersion. Although it is only of the missionary
the midst of Thy congregations ...hey have
journeys of the Apostle Paul that the New
burned up all the synagogues of God in the
Testament gives any detailed record, the other
land" (Psa. 74. 4, 8). On the return from the
Apostles also travelled extensively, preaching
captivity it is said that Ezra further organized
and founding churches over wide areas. All
the synagogues, and the later dispersion of the
who believed were witnesses for Christ, "they
Jews added to their importance. When the
that were scattered abroad went everywhere
Temple, the Jewish centre, was destroyed by
preaching the word" (Acts 8. 4). The practice of
the Romans, the synagogues, widely distributed
founding churches where any, however few,
as they were, proved to be an indestructible
believed, gave permanence to the work, and as
bond, surviving all the persecutions that
each church was taught from the first its direct
followed. In the centre of each synagogue is the
dependence on the Holy Spirit and
ark in which the Scriptures are kept, and beside
responsibility to Christ, it became a centre for
it is the desk from which they are read. An
propagating the Word of Life. To the newly-
attempt under Barcochebas (A.D. 135), which
founded church of the Thessalonians it was
The Pilgrim Church 8

was one of many efforts made to deliver Judaea merchant who came to Rome had, in the
from the Roman yoke and seemed for a short simplest way, made known to him the one God.
time to promise some success, failed as did all There was liberty of ministry in the
others, and only brought terrible retribution on synagogues. Jesus habitually taught in them—
the Jews. But though force failed to free them, "as His custom was, He went into the
the gathering of the people round the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for
Scriptures as their centre preserved them from to read" (Luke 4. 16). When Barnabas and Paul,
extinction. travelling, came to Antioch in Pisidia, they went
The likeness and connection between the to the synagogue and sat down. "After the
synagogues and the churches is apparent. Jesus reading of the law and the prophets the rulers
made Himself the centre of each of the of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye
churches dispersed throughout the world, men and brethren, if ye have any word of
saying, "where two or three are gathered exhortation for the people, say on" (Acts 13.
together in My name, there am I in the midst of 15).
them" (Matt. 18. 20), and He gave the When Christ the Messiah came, the fulfillment
Scriptures for their unchanging guidance. For of all Israel's hope and testimony, large
this reason it has proved impossible to numbers of Jews and religious proselytes
extinguish the churches; when in one place believed in Him, and the first churches were
they have been destroyed they have appeared founded among them; but the rulers of the
again in others. people, envious of Him who is the promised
The Jews of the Diaspora developed great zeal seed of Abraham, the greatest of David's sons,
in making the true God known among the and jealous of a gathering in and blessing of the
heathen, and large numbers were converted to Gentiles such as the Gospel proclaimed,
God through their testimony. In the third rejected their King and Redeemer persecuted
century B.C. the translation of the Hebrew His disciples, and went on their way of sorrow
Scriptures into Greek was accomplished in the without the Savior who was, to them first, the
Septuagint Version, and as Greek was, both at very expression of the love and saving power of
that time and long afterwards, the chief God toward man.
medium of intercommunication among the As the Church was first formed in Jewish circles
peoples of various languages, an invaluable the Jews were its first opponents, but it soon
means was supplied by which the Gentile spread into wider surroundings and when
nations could be made acquainted with the Old Gentiles were converted to Christ it came into
Testament Scripture. Equipped with this, the conflict with Greek ideas and with Roman
Jews used both synagogue and business power. Over the cross of Christ His accusation
opportunities in the good work. James, the was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin (John
Lord's brother, said: "Moses of old time hath in 19.20), and it was in the sphere of the spiritual
every city them that preach him, being read in and political power represented by these
the synagogues every sabbath day" (Acts 15. languages that the Church was to begin to
21). Thither Greeks and others were brought suffer, and there also to gain her earliest
in, burdened with the sins and oppressions of trophies.
heathendom, confused and unsatisfied by its
Jewish religion affected the Church, not only in
philosophies, and, listening to the Law and the
the form of physical attack, but also, and more
Prophets, came to know the one true God.
permanently, by bringing Christians under the
Business brought the Jews among all classes of
Law, and we hear Paul in the Epistle to the
people and they used this diligently to spread
Galatians crying out against such retrogression:
the knowledge of God. One Gentile seeker after
"a man is not justified by the works of the law,
truth writes that he had decided not to join any
but by the faith of Jesus Christ" (Gal. 2. 16).
one of the leading philosophical systems since
From the book of the Acts and the Epistle to the
through a happy fortune a Jewish linen
The Pilgrim Church 9

Galatians it is seen that the first serious danger their close, a close worthy of all that had gone
that threatened the Christian Church was that before, by writing his Gospel, his Epistles, and
of being confined within the limits of a Jewish the Revelation.
sect and so losing its power and liberty to bring There is a noticeable difference between the
the knowledge of God's salvation in Christ to New Testament and the writings of the same
the whole world. period and later which are not included in the
Greek philosophy, seeking some theory of God, list or canon of the inspired Scriptures. The
some explanation of nature and guide to inferiority of the latter is unmistakable even
conduct, laid hold of all religions and when the good in them is readily appreciated.
speculations, whether of Greece or Rome, of While expounding the Scriptures, defending the
Africa or Asia, and one gnosis or "knowledge", truth, refuting errors, exhorting the disciples,
one system of philosophy after another arose, they also manifest the increasing departure
and became a subject of ardent discussion. from the divine principles of the New
Most of the Gnostic systems borrowed from a Testament which had already begun in
variety of sources, combining Pagan and apostolic days and was rapidly accentuated
Jewish, and later Christian teachings and afterwards.
practices. They explored the "mysteries" which Written in the lifetime of the Apostle John, the
lay for the initiated behind the outward forms first Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians gives
of heathen religions. Frequently they taught the a view of the churches at the close of the
existence of two gods or principles, the one Apostolic period. Clement was an elder in the
Light, the other Darkness, the one Good, the church at Rome. He had seen the Apostles Peter
other Evil. Matter and material things seemed and Paul, to whose martyrdom he refers in this
to them to be products of the Power of letter. It begins: "The church of God which
Darkness and under his control; what was sojourns at Rome to the church of God
spiritual they attributed to the higher god. sojourning at Corinth". The persecutions they
These speculations and philosophies formed passed through are spoken of with a calm sense
the basis of many heresies which from the of victory: "women ... " he writes, "being
earliest times invaded the Church, and are persecuted, after they had suffered
already combated in the later New Testament unspeakable torments finished the course of
writings, especially in those of Paul and John. their faith with steadfastness, and though weak
The means adopted to counter these attacks in body received a noble reward." The tone is
and to preserve unity of doctrine affected the one of humility; the writer says: "we write unto
Church even more than the heresies you not merely to admonish you of your duty,
themselves, for it was largely due to them that but also to remind ourselves." Frequent
the episcopal power and control grew up along allusions are made to the Old Testament and its
with the clerical system which began so soon typical value and many quotations are given
and so seriously to modify the character of the from the New Testament. The hope of the
churches. Lord's return is kept before his readers; he
The Roman Empire was gradually drawn into reminds them too of the way of salvation, that
an attack on the churches; an attack in which it is not of wisdom or works of ours, but by
eventually its whole power and resources were faith; adding that justification by faith should
put forth to crush and destroy them. never make us slothful in good works. Yet even
About the year 65 the Apostle Peter was put to here the beginning of a distinction between
death, and, some years later, the Apostle Paul. clergy and laity is already evident, drawn from
The destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans Old Testament ordinances.
(A.D. 70) emphasized the fact that to the In his last words to the elders of the church at
churches no visible head or centre on earth is Ephesus the Apostle Paul is described as
given. Later, the Apostle John brought the sending for them and addressing them as those
Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to whom the Holy Spirit had made overseers (Acts
The Pilgrim Church 10

20). The word "elders" is the same as bishops, who in turn were ruled by
presbyters and the word "overseers" the same "Metropolitans" controlling extensive
as bishops, and the whole passage shows that territories, substituted a human organization
the two titles referred to the same men, and and religious forms for the power and working
that there were several such in the one church. of the Holy Spirit and the guidance of the
Ignatius, however, writing some years after Scriptures in the separate churches.
Clement, though he also had known several of This development was gradual, and many were
the Apostles, gives to the bishop a prominence not carried away by it. At first there was no
and authority, not only unknown in the New pretension that one church should control
Testament, but also beyond what was claimed another, though a very small church might ask
by Clement. Commenting on Acts 20, he says a larger one to send "chosen men" to help it in
that Paul sent from Miletus to Ephesus and matters of importance. Local conferences of
called the bishops and presbyters, thus making overseers were held at times, but until the end
two titles out of one description, and says that of the second century they appear to have been
they were from Ephesus and neighboring cities, called only when some special occasion made it
thus obscuring the fact that one church, convenient that those interested should confer
Ephesus, had several overseers or bishops. together. Tertullian wrote: "It is no part of
One of the last of those who had personally religion to compel religion, which should be
known any of the Apostles was Polycarp, adopted freely, not by force."
bishop of Smyrna, who was put to death in that Origen, one of the greatest teachers, as well as
city in the year 156. He had long been one of the most spiritually-minded of the
instructed by the Apostle John, and had been fathers, bore a clear testimony to the spiritual
intimate with others who had seen the Lord. character of the Church. Born (185) in
Irenaeus is another link in the chain of personal Alexandria, of Christian parents, he was one of
connection with the times of Christ. He was those who, in early childhood, experience the
taught by Polycarp and was made bishop of workings of the Holy Spirit. His happy relations
Lyons in 177. with his wise and godly father, Leonidas, his
The practice of baptizing believers on their first teacher in the Scriptures, were strikingly
confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, as shown when, on the imprisonment of his father
taught and exemplified in the New Testament, because of the faith, Origen, then seventeen
was continued in later times. The first clear years old, tried to join him in prison, and was
reference to the baptism of infants is in a only hindered from doing so by a stratagem of
writing of Tertullian in 197, in which he his mother, who hid his clothes. He wrote to his
condemns the practice beginning to be father in prison, encouraging him to constancy.
introduced of baptizing the dead and of When Leonidas was put to death and his
baptizing infants. The way for this change, property confiscated, the young Origen was left
however, had been prepared by teaching the chief support of his mother and six younger
concerning baptism, which was divergent from brothers. His unusual ability as a teacher
that in the New Testament; for early in the quickly brought him into prominence, and
second century baptismal regeneration was while he treated himself with extreme severity,
already being taught. This, together with the he showed such kindness to the persecuted
equally striking change by which the brethren as involved him in their sufferings. He
remembrance of the Lord and His death (in the took refuge for a time in Palestine, where his
breaking of bread and drinking of wine among learning and his writings led bishops to listen
His disciples) was changed into an act as scholars to his expositions of the Scripture.
miraculously performed, it was claimed, by a The bishop of Alexandria, Demetrius, indignant
priest, intensified the growing distinction that Origen, a layman, should presume to
between clergy and laity. The growth of a instruct bishops, censured him and recalled
clerical system under the domination of the him to Alexandria, and though Origen