One phrase here, peculiar to S. John, shows the authenticity of the letter. Thou knowest that our testimony is true. He has used this phrase in his Gospel. His word was of great authority as of that of him who had seen the Lord.

The Apostolic mode of governing Churches and regulating bishops ended with S. John. The whole work then devolved upon the Pope, who gave certain powers of acting to patriarchs, beyond that which was possessed by simple sees. The patriarchs in a few centuries thought themselves popes and started schisms. One yet remains as a witness-the Greek Church.

1Is given by all.-He can commend him as one whom everybody speaks well of.

2We also.-S. John himself has found him worthy of his confidence and approbation.

3Is true. This is his ipse dixit, which was worth a whole volume of side proofs.

4Write unto thee.-The Saint is cautious and does not wish to write more than is necessary. The first Christians were obliged to keep a great many things secret-disciplina arcani-and only speak of them in private for fear of the pagans and persecutors.

"Speedily. He intends to pass through the town in which Gaius lives on his visitation.

Peace be to thee.—This is the old Jewish salutation shalom lachem, which a bishop uses now at Mass instead of the priest's Dominus vobiscum.

"Salute the friends by name.-The saint interchanges greetings as a brotherly-love conclusion to his letter, and then gives orders for fraternal charity to pervade the members at both ends of the line of communication. It is the conclusion we should expect from the Apostle of fraternal charity.