uoted for proof
the words of our Saviour, _Thou art Peter, &c._ I asked him if it was
proper to suppose that all things bestowed on Peter, were also given to
the pope? If so, why does not the pope speak with tongues; and why is he
not secure from the evil effects of poison, &c.? He answered, that these
last things were not necessary. "But how do you prove it necessary,"
said I, "that the pope should not err? Is it not sufficient if any one
has doubts, to ask his teacher who is not infallible? if you say _yes_,
then the opinion of the fallible man will answer. But if you say _no_,
and that we _must_ go to the pope, what must become of the man who dies
before the answer of the pope can reach him?"

He then resorted to another mode of proof, saying, "Is it not desirable
that the pope should be infallible?" I assured him I wished he might be
so. "Well, is not God able to render him so?" "Yes, He is able to do all
things." He wished to infer his point from these two premises. But I
said, "your reasoning with regard to the _pope_, may be applied to all
the bishops of the church; for it is desirable that they should all be
infallible, and God is able to make them so." He said, "No, for the
bishops feeling less their need of the pope, would not look to him, or
submit to him as their head, and then there would be divisions and
contentions in the church." But why, said I, did not divisions and
contentions arise among the apostles? Were they not all infallible as
well as Peter? He would not say they _were_ infallible. I told him, that
was an opinion that could not be believed, that the pope was infallible,
and the apostles not; for it was well known to all, that the Holy Spirit
descended upon the apostles in a peculiar manner. I asked him again, how
it could be made to appear that divisions would be produced if all
bishops were infallible, for if they were all of one opinion, as they of
course would be, their union must be the more perfect. We conversed
farther at some length, when he concluded by saying, "You are possessed
of a devil."

The next day, as the patriarch and the bishop of Beyroot were seated
under a tree without the convent, I went out to them, and said, "Your
holiness sent to me to come hither for employment, and I came, and have
remained here a considerable time. What do you wish me to do for you,
for I cannot remain here in idleness?" He said, "What do you wish to
do?" If your holiness pleases, that I teach in th