"In other words, he intrusted the Word--Himself, the news of Himself--to a living ministry, to men, that through the mouths of His apostles and those disciples who had received regular instruction from Him and from them the world might be enlightened with the truth." The boys listened eagerly, with mute attention.
"Go on," said Edred breathlessly.

"Prithee tell us more." "Our blessed Lord and Master laid no charge upon His apostles to write of Him--to send forth into the world a written testimony.

We know that the inspired Word is written from end to end by the will of God.

It was necessary for the preservation of the truth in its purity that its doctrines should be thus set down--that there should be in existence some standard by which in generations to come the learned ones of the earth might be able to judge of the purity of the doctrines preached, and refute heresies and errors that might and would creep in; but it was to men, to a living ministry, that our Saviour intrusted the precious truths of His gospel, and to a living ministry men should look to have those truths unfolded." "I see that point," cried Edred eagerly.

"I had never thought of it quite in that way before.