wisdom, in union with deep soul sympathy with ministering spirits, he became, in a special sense, a Son of God-a leader of heavenly hosts, and thereby enabled to work miracles. Versed in the allegorical doctrines of Philo, accepting the mediumship of Jesus, "he regarded Jehovah as merely the delegated Creator, ruler of this world—a subaltern spirit, unacquainted with the character and purpose of the Supreme God, and incapable of appreciating Him. He admitted there are many good things in the Hebrew Sacred Books; but considered them revelations of an inferior order of spirits; and that an angel instructed Moses in legislation." Morally modest, he attributed his own miraculous gifts to spirits and angels. Traveling to Ephesus, in the capacity of a teacher, he there met, as the early Fathers state, the apostle John, with whom he conversed upon mind and matter, and "eternal life." POLYCARP, Ignatius, Clement, Apollinaris, and others, privileged with the personal presence of the first spiritualized disciples of Christ, have received the appropriate appellation of Apostolic Fathers. Blessed with direct inspiration from the spirit of Jesus and Syrian seers, summering in the heavens, we instinctively revere the divine utterances that welled from the inner fountains of their souls, and whatever spiritual phenomena they mediumistically evolved for the enlightenment of humanity. POLYCARP, a Smyrnian bishop of eastern origin, was, in childhood, a slave, and by Calisto, a charitable lady, redeemed from bondage, in consequence of an angelic dream, and educated at her expense. The later Christian Fathers aver that he listened to the preaching of the apostle John, led a blameless life, presided over the Smyrnian church with assiduous fidelity, and was wonderfully empowered with spiritual gifts. During the persecutions under Marcus Aurelius, the infuriated populace demanded his death. Conscious of approaching danger, and occupied in prayer, he saw, in a vision, his "pillow all on fire," and exclaimed-"I shall certainly be burnt alive!" These words were regarded as prophetic. On the way to the stake, amid the jeers and excitements of Jews and Greeks, followed by a few sorrowing friends, the venerable prisoner was calm and serene as sunlight; and when approaching the fatal scene, a loud and distinct voice was heard to exclaim, as from heaven-"Polycarp, be firm!" IGNATIUS, bishop of Antioch, and a loved and prominent disciple of the apostle John, is said to have been one of the little children whom Jesus took in his arms and blessed. The church fathers record the fact, that, in youth, he was "so innocent he could hear the angels sing." This heavenly music so impressed his mind, that, when becoming a bishop, he introduced into liturgical service the practice of singing in responses, just as he had heard, in youthful years, the laughing melodies of immortal choirs. Arrested by Trajan, he was thrown into chains, and sent to Rome, to be exposed to lions in the amphitheater. On the way thither, conscious of attending angels, inflamed with divine ecstacy, he exclaimed, in language worthy the heroic reformer-"Let them rack my limbs, break my bones, bruise my whole. body, hang me on the cross, burn me with fire, throw me into the jaws of furious beasts; I care not for all the torments the devil can invent, so that I may have the consciousness of right, and the personal approval of Christ." When he passed through the city of Smyrna, in chains, the people embraced him and wept; kissing his hands, his garments, and his chains, rejoicing in his courage." How beautiful his character! how inspiring his example! APOLLINARIS, the Ravennian bishop of note, according to the ecclesiastic historians, accompanied Peter, as an assistant, to Rome. Here that apostle laid his hands upon him, and communicated the gifts of the Holy Spirit; that is, a most excellent spirit influence. Preaching on the eastern coast of Italy, he is said to have silenced the oracles in Roman temples, and "caused deceiving spirits to depart therefrom." Attractive in person, bold in enunciation, and miraculously gifted, he psychologized vast multitudes. Historians relate that he once saw a poor boy, born blind, washing his rags outside the city; and, moved with compassion, he made the sign of the cross on his eyes, (spiritual impressibility) and immediately he received his sight." This miracle, so potent for good, as we naturally infer from our own observation, was the means of converting the father, a Roman soldier, and all his household. Among the instances of his healing, may be mentioned that of a distinguished gentleman of Rome, for several years dumb, who, hearing of Apollinaris, sent for him, and was instantly cured. In this family, finding a case of obsession, he cast out a demon. This remarkable achievement converted the family, with five hundred more, to the spiritualistic principles of Jesus. "Still gathering as they pour along, The voice more loud, the tide more strong." Like mile-posts on the panoramic highway of life, burning with many-colored lights, indicating the true line of spiritual progress, loom up in bold relief the church fathers of the succeeding centuries-Irenæus, Justin Martyr, Tatian the Assyrian, Turtullian, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Cyprian, and others who officially represent the continuous revelations of heaven. IRENEUS, whose name signifies peaceable, an admirer of the apostle John, was endowed with prophetic gifts. As quoted by Eusebius, those times were not so potent in spirit influx, as in the palmy days of the apostles; but in cases of necessity, when a whole congregation, by fasting and prayer, adjusted themselves in harmony with the spirit-batteries, the seeming dead have been restored to life. "Some most certainly," says Irenæus, "cast out demons; others have a knowledge of things to come, as also visions and prophetic communications; and others still heal the sick by the imposition of hands. * We hear of many of the brethren in the church who have prophetic gifts, and who speak in all tongues through the Spirit, (spirit-influences) and who also bring to light the secret things of men for their * * |