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universally acknowledged. Let it be granted that he has also written a second; for it is doubted." That it was doubted, is no proof of any thing more than that the evidence in its favor was not so complete as that which could be produced for other sacred books. And it may be said, both of this epistle and the few other writings of the canon which were not fully received, that they manifest in their history, how careful the first Christians were in examining the claims of alleged apostolical compositions, and adopting them as of authority in the church. The learned and candid Lardner observes, that so well founded was the judgment of those early Christians, concerning the books of the New Testament, that no writing which was by them pronounced genuine, has, since their time, been found spurious; neither have we, at this day, the least reason to think any book genuine, which they rejected.

We may be authorized, therefore, in accepting the second epistle of Peter as his true work, notwithstanding the rather doubtful character of its evidence. If it was written by him, it was probably written to the same persons, and from the same place with the first. It was written, also, not long after the first, and not long before the death of the apostle.

The day consecrated to St. Peter, as that of his martyrdom, in the Roman Calendar, to which the Calendar of the English Church corresponds, is June 29.

ANDREW.

OF ANDREW, the brother of Simon Peter, we are told but little in the sacred writings; not enough, indeed, to enable us to form any estimate of his character. We may be permitted to conjecture, however, from the circumstance of his having been a disciple of John the Baptist, and also from his having gone voluntarily to hear the instructions of Jesus, and thus made himself his first disciple among those who were afterwards his apostles; we may conjecture, I say, from these circumstances, which have already been stated in the life of Peter, that the temperament of Andrew was sober and religious, and that his mind was remarkably open to the reception of truth. So far as we can argue at all, we may argue the existence of every thing that is good, from such commendable appearances. We can easily believe that he was a serious, candid, steadfast man; very probably without the shining talents and the burning zeal of his brother, and

quite as probably without his brother's prominent faults. That not much is recorded of him, is a proof that he was not very forward or active among the twelve; but it is by no means a proof that he wanted good sense, discretion, or stability.

We may also confidently deduce the affectionateness of this apostle's character, from the circumstance of his seeking his brother, first of all, with that eager exclamation, "We have found the Messiah!" This fact alone would be enough to interest us in him, did we know nothing of him beside. After spending part of a day with Jesus in his place of abode, and being satisfied that he was the long-looked-for Redeemer, he does not shut up this knowledge in his own breast, and feed upon the honor alone; neither does he go and make himself of consequence by blazoning the matter abroad; but he hastens to share the pleasure and the confidence with his brother. "He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, "We have found the Messiah. And he brought him to Jesus." His joy was increased by his thus imparting it; and so will our piety be strengthened by communication. Who, that has truly found Jesus, will not desire, after the example of Andrew, to lead a

brother to his blessed abode? And who that succeeds in leading a brother there, will not feel that he crosses the sacred threshold with more delight and confidence than before?

Andrew is generally styled by the ancient writers of the church, Protocletos, or the first called. The following encomium on him, is by Hesychius, Presbyter of Jerusalem. "St. Andrew was the first-born of the Apostolic Choir; the prime pillar of the church; a rock before the rock; the foundation of that foundation; the first fruits of the beginning; a caller of others before he was called himself. He preached that gospel which was not yet believed or entertained; revealed and made known that life to his brother, which he had not yet perfectly learned himself. So great treasures did that one question bring him, Master, where dwellest thou?' which he soon perceived by the answer given him, and which he deeply pondered in his mind, Come, and see.'"

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We find, further, concerning him, that he was the disciple, who, just before the miracle of feeding the five thousand, informed Jesus that there was a lad present who had five barley loaves and two small fishes, and then added the question, "But what are they among so many?" This question, on the first view of it, seems to denote that

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