spondence, and were in this way well acquainted with each
other's sentiments. A considerable number of these epistles, or at least
of extracts from them, are still extant; [446:3] and there is thus
abundant proof of the unity of the faith of the ecclesiastical rulers.
But, in treating of this subject, it is necessary to be more specific,
and to notice particularly the leading doctrines which were now commonly
received.

Before entering directly on this review, it is proper to mention that
the Holy Scriptures were held in the highest estimation. The reading of
them aloud formed part of the stated service of the congregations, and
one or other of the passages brought, at the time, under the notice of
the auditory, usually constituted the groundwork of the preacher's
discourse. Their perusal was recommended to the laity; [447:1] the
husband and wife talked of them familiarly as they sat by the domestic
hearth; [447:2] and children were accustomed to commit them to memory.
[447:3] As many of the disciples could not read, and as the expense of
manuscripts was considerable, copies of the sacred books were not in the
hands of all; but their frequent rehearsal in the public assemblies made
the multitude familiar with their contents, and some of the brethren
possessed an amount of acquaintance with these records which, even at
the present day, would be deemed most extraordinary. Eusebius speaks of
several individuals who could repeat, at will, any required passage from
either the Old or New Testament. On a certain occasion the historian
happened to be present when one of these walking concordances poured
forth the stores of his prodigious memory. "I was struck with
admiration," says he, "when I first beheld him standing amidst a large
crowd, and reciting certain portions of Holy Writ. As long as I could
only hear his voice, I supposed that he was reading, as is usual in the
congregations; but, when I came close up to him, I discovered that,
employing only the eyes of his mind, he uttered the divine oracles like
some prophet." [447:4]

It was not extraordinary that the early Christians were anxious to
treasure up Scripture in the memory, for in all matters of faith and
practice the Written Word was regarded as the standard of ultimate
appeal. No human authority whatever was deemed equal to the award of
this divine arbiter. "They who are labouring after excellency," says a
father of this period, "will not stop in their search aft