puted founder was the Evangelist St. Mark; and as we find him to have been one of the chosen friends of the great Apostle of the Gentiles, he may be supposed to have himself more deeply felt, and more strongly impressed upon his disciples, the duty of converting the heathen, than was the case in any other primitive Church. So we are told, that it may be peculiarly called the missionary Church of antiquity. "Its catechetical school, founded it is said by the Evangelist himself, was a pattern to other Churches in its diligent and systematic preparation of candidates for baptism; while other institutions were added, of a controversial character, for the purpose of carefully examining into the doctrines revealed in Scripture, and of cultivating the habit of argument and disputation."* Surrounded by the hieroglyphics of Egypt, the Christians of Alexandria had acquired an allegorical style, which was full of meaning, in proportion to the progress the disciples had made in sacred lore; for in those days it was accounted so high a privilege to be instructed in the holy mysteries of Christian truth, that it was only by slow degrees, and with a long and severe probation, that converts received such instruction. At first the catechumens were only permitted to attend the reading of the Scrip

* Arians of the fourth century.

tures and the sermons in the church. Then they advanced to the prayers and received the imposition of hands, as the sign of their spiritual progress. Shortly before their baptism they were taught the Lord's Prayer and the Creed; but not until after the regeneration of baptism itself were they admitted into the fulness of knowledge.

We find, however, that the Alexandrian Christians did not despise such general learning as by informing and exercising the understanding would naturally give its possessors greater influence in their positions. Thus Theonas, a predecessor of Archbishop Alexander, advises the Christians to become familiar with the poets, philosophers, orators, and historians of classical literature, and to make such information instrumental in advancing the One Great Truth, which should be the object of a Christian's life. And this is what St. Paul teaches, when he tells us to "do all to the glory of God."

We may then conclude, that St. Athanasius received both a refined and excellent education. Following up his good will to his young charge, Bishop Alexander made him his own secretary and amanuensis, and probably, at as early an age as was permitted, ordained him deacon.

CHAPTER II.

That heresies should strike (if truth be scanned
Presumptuously) their roots both wide and deep,
Is natural as dreams to feverish sleep.

WORDSWORTH.

ARIAN HERESY-FIRST SEEDS IN THE CHURCH OF ANTIOCHARIUS-HIS OUTBREAK-HIS PERSON-IS EXCOMMUNICATED -SEEKS FOR ABSOLUTION-CONSTANTINE INTERFERES.

WE must now turn for a little while from the immediate history of Athanasius, to that of the times in which he lived, and to that great heresy, which first called his controversial powers into practice. This was the Arian heresy; the leading feature of which was the denial that the second person of the ever blessed Trinity was indeed "Very God of very God, of one Substance with the Father." But though called by the name of Arius, because he was the most conspicuous promulgator of the doctrine, yet the poison may be discovered to have existed before his time, insidiously working in the Church of Antioch, which, in importance and power, rivalled that of Alexandria.

This church claimed St. Peter as her first bishop, and several successors of noble memory, such as Ignatius, Babylas, &c. But there seems to have been a restless, captious, self-complacent spirit in her, which is always prone to lead to heresy, exemplifying the truth of St. Paul's words: "Ever learning and never coming to a knowledge of the truth."*

An early writer† calls Aristotle the bishop of the Arians, because most of those who were led into heretical paths were educated in his school, and trusted rather to their powers of argument and reasoning, than to simple faith, and the testimony of the early Church. They sought to prove everything by logical deductions, and thus hardened their hearts. For it is not in a cold spirit of human wisdom that we must inquire concerning the deep things of God, Who hath said: "Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

Proofs of a tendency to heretical doctrines in the school of Antioch are not wanting. A bishop of that city, by name Paulus of Samosata, was deposed A.D. 272, for his heretical opinions, and was succeeded by Lucian, who for many years was likewise under sentence of excommunication.

Arius, although an Alexandrian by birth, was educated in Antioch; and almost the first thing we

* 2 Tim. iii. 7.

† Petavius, quoted by Newman.

hear of him, was his breaking the rules of ecclesiastical discipline, attacking his bishop, the Patriarch Alexander, when he was instructing his clergy on the subject of the Holy Trinity, and accusing him of teaching false doctrine. Archbishop Alexander was a man of the utmost patience and meekness; and so humble was he, and unwilling to foment discord where all should be harmony and unity, that he did not oppose this insubordination so resolutely as might have been wished, but soon afterwards summoned a meeting of his clergy, and allowed Arius to state his doctrines, and argue in defence of them. But this was only nourishing the mischief. Arius was eloquent, and well skilled in all the subtleties of argument; and his heretical doctrines spread rapidly. Alexander then wavered no longer, but excommunicated him. By this time, however, Arius had obtained to himself a considerable party; and he seems to have possessed qualities not unlikely to blind those who are ever seeking to have their intellects amused, rather than their hearts raised; and to whom the show of godliness is more captivating than quiet, unobtrusive worth.

In person, Arius is described as being very tall, lean, and meagre; and of a pale, melancholy countenance, which proceeded, not from the austerity of his life, but rather from his uneasy, restless mind. He was careless in his gait; his hair hung down his