thanks, he said, "Do this in remembrance of me this is my body:" and that in like manner having taken the cup, and given thanks, he said, "This is my blood;" and that he distributed them to these alone. And this too the evil demons have in imitation commanded to be done in the mysteries of Mithra. For ye either know or may learn, that bread and a cup of water are placed in the rites appointed for the initiated, with certain prayers. After these solemnities are finished, we afterward continually remind one another of them. And such of us as have possessions assist all those who are in want; and we all associate with one another.

87. And over all our offerings, we bless the CREATOR of all things, through his Son JESUS CHRIST, and through the HOLY SPIRIT. And, on the day which is called Sunday, there is an assembly in one place of all who dwell either in towns or in the country; and the Memoirs of the Apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as the time permits. Then, when the reader hath ceased, the President delivers a discourse, in which he reminds and exhorts them to the imitation of all these good things. We then all stand up together, and put forth prayers. Then, as we have already said, when we cease from prayer, bread is brought, and wine, and water: and the President in like manner offers up prayers and praises with his utmost power: and the people express their assent by saying, Amen. The consecrated elements are then distributed and received by every one; and a portion is sent by the deacons to those who are absent.

88. Each of those also, who have abundance

99 and are willing, according to his choice, gives what he thinks fit: and what is collected is deposited with the President, who succors the fatherless and the widows, and those who are in necessity from disease or any other cause; those also who are in bonds, and the strangers who are sojourning among us; and in a word takes care of all who are in need.p

• The previous description was that of the first Communion after baptism: Justin here relates the ordinary celebration of the Eucharist. PBp. KAYE, in his Account of Justin Martyr, p. 91, notices the alterations which had taken place in the mode of celebrating the communion between the time of the Apostles and that of Justin. The

89. We all of us assemble together on Sunday, because it is the first day in which GoD changed darkness and matter, and made the world. On the same day also JESUS CHRIST Our Saviour rose from the dead. For he was crucified the day before that of Saturn: and on the day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, he appeared to his apostles and disciples, and taught them what we now submit to your consideration.

90. If now what we have advanced appears to be reasonable and true, honor it accordingly; and if it appears folly, despise it as foolish, but pass not sentence of death against those who have done no evil, as if they were enemies. For we have already forewarned you, that ye shall not escape the future judgment of GoD, if ye continue in unrighteousness. And we shall exclaim, What God wills, let that come to pass. Although we might demand of you, from the epistle of the most great and illustrious Cæsar Adrian, your father, that which we require, that ye should command right judgment to be made, we have yet preferred that this should not take place because it was so ordained by Adrian, but have made this address and explanation to you, knowing that we demand what is just. And we have subjoined also a copy of the letter of Adrian, that in this too ye may perceive that we speak the truth. The copy is as follows:

THE EPISTLE OF ADRIAN RESPECTING THE

CHRISTIANS.

TO MINUCIUS FUNDANUS.

WE have received the letter written to me by the most renowned Serenius Granianus whom you succeeded. It seems then to me that the matter must not be left without inquiry; lest those men should be troubled, and a means of evil doing should be open to false accusers. If then the people in the provinces are able to advance so far in their accusations against the Christians, as to answer before the seat of judgment,

chief of these was the separation of the time of partaking of the Eucharist from that of their ordinary meal.

let them have recourse to these means alone, and not act by vague accusations or mere clamor. For it is far better, if any one wishes to bring an accusation that you should examine it. If therefore any one accuses them, and proves that they have done any thing against the laws, dispose of the matter according to the severity of the offence. But I require you, if any man bring such a charge falsely, deal with him according to his deserts, and take care that you punish him.

THE EPISTLE OF THE EMPEROR ANTONINUS PIUS TO THE COMMON ASSEMBLY OF ASIA.

The Emperor Cæsar, Titus Elius Adrianus Antoninus Augustus Pius, Pontifex Maximus, fifteenth time Tribune, thrice Consul, Father of his Country, to the Common Assembly of Asia, sends greeting.

I AM well assured, that the gods themselves will take heed that men of this kind shall not escape for it is much more their interest to punish, if they can, those who refuse to worship them. Whereas ye trouble them, and accuse the opinions which they hold, as if they were Atheists: and bring many other charges, of which we are able to discover no proof. Nay, it would be in their estimation a great advantage to die for that of which they are accused: and they conquer you, by throwing away their own lives, rather than comply with what ye require them to do.

With respect to earthquakes, which either have happened or do happen, it is not fitting that ye should regard them with despondency, whatever they may be, comparing your own conduct with theirs, and observing how much more confidence they have toward GOD, than ye. Ye, in fact, at such periods, appear to forget the gods, and neglect your sacred rites. And ye know not the worship which belongs to GoD; whence

EUSEBIUS, Hist. Eccles. Lib. iv. c. 13, gives this Epistle, as having been written by Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, although in c. 12, he appears to ascribe it to Antoninus Pius. VALESIUS and SCALIGER think that it was written by Marcus Aurelius. HALLOIX, in his life of Justin, c. 5, and CAVE, in his life of Justin, c. 10, agree in ascribing the letter to Antoninus Pius.

ye envy those who do worship him, and persecute them even unto death. Respecting such men, certain others of the rulers of provinces wrote to my father of blessed memory; to whom also he wrote in reply, that they should in no wise trouble men of that kind, unless they were shown to be making any attempt against the dominion of the Romans. Many too have given information respecting such men to me also, to whom I answered, in conformity with my father's opinion. If then any one shall bring any charge against one of these men, simply as such, let him who is so accused be released, even if he should be proved to be one of this kind of men: and let the accuser himself be subject to punishment.

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