were books in the Sabbath school library that would tell all about the church, down to the present time.

Mother. From the fifth to the sixteenth Century, is the darkest time the church ever experienced. You see, from what you have read about Apostasy, that true religion had been declining in the church for a long time before the fifth Century. After that, it continued to decline more and more, till it seemed almost to have left the world. Yet, God has never left himself without witnesses to the truth; and all this time, the Lord Jesus had some true followers on the earth. For some time after the fifth Century, there appears to have been some real piety in the general church; but it was greatly clouded with superstition, and confined principally to by-places, and countries where the Gospel had not been long known. In large cities, the clergy and people had become very corrupt, and hardly a spark of true religion remained. However, even in these places, the Lord occasionally raised up for himself a faithful witness.

Samuel. Why, mother, how could it be called the church if there was no religion in it?

Mother. It could not be with any propriety. A church is a body of people, associated together as the followers of Christ; holding the doctrines taught in the Bible; maintaining a course of conduct consistent with the word of God; and receiving, as the witness of the true character, the influences of the Holy Spirit, converting and sanctifying their hearts. But after the period of the final establishment of Popery, neither the church of Rome in the West, nor the Greek church in the East, could lay any claim to this character. They had embraced destructive and fatal errors in doctrine; their practice was corrupt, and altogether inconsistent with the Holy Scriptures; and the influences of the blessed Spirit had departed from them. After that time, therefore, we must look elsewhere for the true church.

Samuel. But, mother, at the close of the fifth Century, there was much real piety in that part of Africa where Augustine lived.

Mother. Yes; and in many parts of Europe

too.

Samuel.

Well, I would like to know something about the religion of the sixth Century,

and the establishment of Mohammedanism in the East.

Mother. Well, Samuel, if you will call your brothers and sisters, I will tell you all about it.

Now, my dear children, if you will listen to me, I will tell you a great many things that happened many hundred years ago. But perhaps you will not feel much interest in what I am about to relate, because there is nothing very However, I would much rathWhat I am going

wonderful in it.

er instruct than amuse you. to tell you is about the church; and the church is made up of God's dear people, the followers of the blessed Jesus. If you love him, you will delight in nothing more than in hearing about his church.

Samuel. Well, mother, we will all listen. I had much rather hear about the church, which the Lord Jesus bought with his own blood, than any stories you can tell us.

Mother. I am very glad, my dear son, that you love to hear about the dear disciples of God; and I hope this disposition arises from your love to the blessed Saviour; for, if you love him, you will love his people.

Samuel. Mother, I hope I do love Jesus; and I am sure I feel more interest in the church of Christ, than in all the rest of the world. I love them that love Jesus: and I love to read and hear about them that have loved him in times past.

Mother. Well, Samuel, as you have read the History of the Church in the Fifth Century, you will recollect, that near the end of that Century, Gontemond, king of Vandals, reigned in Africa. He treated Christians kindly, and allowed the bishops, who had been banished by Huneric, to return to their churches.* But in the year 495, he died, and Thrasamond, reigned in his place. He was an obstinate Arian, and mingled the arts of gentleness and severity against Christians.

Caroline. What is an Arian, mother?

Mother. Samuel can tell, for he has read about the Arians.

Samuel. O yes, mother, I remember all about it. Arius was a preacher, or presbyter, at Alexandria, in Egypt. He denied the divinity of

*See History of the Church in the fifth Century, pp. 100 and 104.

Christ, and taught nearly the same sentiments now believed by the Unitarians. His opinions were condemned by the council at Nice. But his followers increased after that, and spread all over the church. They were called Arians, after the name of Arius.*

Mother. Well, as I was going to say, Thrasamond made offers of great worldly advantage to all who would become Arians; and when the orthodox bishops died, he would not allow others to be ordained.

Peter.

What is orthodox, mother?

Mother. An orthodox person is one that believes the truth-one who is sound in his belief of the doctrines of the Bible.

Caroline. Why, mother, how could any body be so wicked as to wish to make people believe and preach lies?

Mother. Some people think that their own judgment, in matters of religion, is better than that of any body else; and that all others should believe just as they do. When such men have the power, they try to force their opinions upon

* See Stories of the Church in the fourth Century, Chapter IV. p. 46.