an apostle or elder in the church at Jerusalem. He probably was a senior elder, as is inferred from Acts 21:18.

"But," says one, "was not the angel of the church at Ephesus, a bishop over the rest?" (Rev. 2:1.) No; for had they had an officer above the common elders, called the bishop, when Paul called them together, as recorded in Acts 20: 17 he would have mentioned the bishop. But he simply called "the elders." They were all elders-overseers. No doubt there was, however, one who was a senior elder, or one among the elders who especially ministered the Word and took the special care of the church upon himself or herself. There was not a bishop above the rest, for they were all on the same level-all elders (Acts 20: 17, 28). This humble equality of the early ministry lasted but a very short time.

The Great Apostasy Foretold.

The clear morning glory of the church did not last long. It was foreseen that a great apostasy would come. The early ministers went forth with the knowledge that a long dark night of superstition, error, and persecution lay before them.

Jesus foretold this reign of deception and warned the church. "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits." Matt. 7:15, 16. "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many. Matt. 24:5. As you see, this reign of deception was not to be merely local but universal. "Many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." Matt. 24:11, 12. "If it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Verse 24.

Paul gave to the church the following warning and prediction of this great apostasy: "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the

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flock also of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears." Acts 20: 29-31. "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter days some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth." 1 Tim. 4: 1-3. "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." 2 Tim. 4:3, 4.

Peter foretold this time in the following language: "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift

destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not." 2 Pet. 2: 1-3.

The foregoing texts foretell an awful reign of darkness and deception to come upon the church, a time when false prophets would deceive many by turning their hearts away from the truth. These false teachers would bring in damnable heresies, and many would follow their pernicious ways; and because iniquity should abound, the love of many would wax cold. What an awful picture, and yet how true! The very things predicted came to pass.