which is sung as an alternate to the Te Deum, is taken from one of
them, namely, "The Song of the Three Children."

Apostle.--One who is sent; messenger; ambassador. The name given to
our Lord's twelve commissioned disciples who were thus made "the
original fountain of ministerial authority and capacity pouring
forth twelve streams, and from whom were to flow all the branches
of that river whose streams should make {25} glad the city of God
by carrying to it the blessings of His grace." (See BISHOP).

Apostles' Creed.--The shorter form of the Creed as set forth in the
Prayer Book is called the Apostles' Creed because it was generally
believed to have been composed by the Apostles themselves before
they separated and left Jerusalem. However true or untrue this old
tradition may be, it is quite certain that this "Form of sound
words" embodies the "Apostles' Doctrine," or teaching, and each
article finds its corresponding statement in the Bible. It is the
oldest form of the Creed that has come down to us and contains a
brief summary of the fundamental Truths of the Christian Religion.
(See ORTHODOX.) There are twelve articles grouped into three
paragraphs each setting forth what is to be believed concerning
each Person of the Blessed Trinity. In other words the Apostles'
Creed is what we believe concerning the Name into which we are
baptized. It is, therefore, the Creed of the Baptismal Office and
is recited in the Daily Services, while the longer Creed, commonly
called the Nicene, is reserved for the Eucharistic Office.

Apostolate.--The office and dignity of an Apostle; the whole body
of Bishops throughout the world.

Apostolic Fathers.--(See FATHERS, THE).

Apostolic Succession--"The fundamental principle of the Christian
Ministry is, that it is derived from our Blessed Lord Himself,
from whom it is perpetuated by Episcopal Ordination," and just
this is what is meant by Apostolic Succession. The Apostolic
Succession is simply the evidence of the fact that the Christian
Ministry has never failed to exist since {26} the time when our Lord
commissioned it and sent it forth. It is often called the _doctrine_
of the Apostolic Succession, but it is more of a fact than a
doctrine; a fact substantiated by the history of the Church, as
much so as the succession of the Kings and Queens of England is a
fact known of all men acquainted with the history of the English
nation. For this reason we have the statement in the Prefac