elivered to the Saints." They were to the Church in their generation what
Peter and Paul and James were to the Church in its infancy. We
instinctively consult them about the faith of those times; for, to whom
shall we go for the Words of eternal life, if not to them?

Now, the Fathers of the Church, with one voice, pay homage to the Bishops
of Rome as their superiors. The limited space I have allowed myself in
this little volume will not permit me to give any extracts from their
writings. The reader who may be unacquainted with the original language of
the Fathers, or who has not their writings at hand, is referred to a work
entitled, "Faith of Catholics," where he will find, in an English
translation, copious extracts from their writings vindicating the Primacy
of the Popes.

Third--_Ecumenical Councils_ afford another eloquent vindication of Papal
supremacy. An Ecumenical or General Council is an assemblage of Prelates
representing the whole Catholic Church. A General Council is to the Church
what the Executive and Legislative bodies in Washington are to the United
States.

Up to the present time nineteen Ecumenical Councils have been convened,
including the Council of the Vatican. The last eleven were held in the
West, and the first eight in the East. I shall pass over the Western
Councils, as no one denies that they were subject to the authority of the
Pope.

I shall speak briefly of the important influence which the Holy See
exercised in the eight Oriental Councils.

The first General Council was held in Nicaea, in 325; the second, in
Constantinople, 381; the third, in Ephesus, in 431; the fourth, in
Chalcedon, in 451; the fifth, in Constantinople, in 553; the sixth in the
same city, in 680; the seventh, in Nicaea, in 787, and the eighth, in
Constantinople, in 869.

The Bishops of Rome convoked these assemblages, or at least consented to
their convocation; they presided by their legates over all of them, except
the first and second Councils of Constantinople, and they confirmed all
these eight by their authority. Before becoming a law the Acts of the
Councils required the Pope's signature, just as our Congressional
proceedings require the President's signature before they acquire the
force of law.

Is not this a striking illustration of the Primacy? The Pope convenes,
rules and sanctions the Synods, not by courtesy, but by right. A dignitary
who calls an assembly together, who presides over its deliberation