36 . MANUAL OF INSTRUCTION 



first effort seemed to be to secure for it a supply of 

 ordained teachers, and in every large centre, prob- 

 ably in every city, some one was elevated to the 

 office of overseer, angel or Bishop. 



During the life time of the Apostles they 

 themselves exercised paramount authority ; but 

 as they passed away, the Bishops whom they 

 had appointed seemed to come forward in all 

 things as their successors, except perhaps in 

 having the miraculous gifts which our Lord be- 

 stowed upon the Apostles. But we cannot tell 

 when these gifts ceased. They may have been 

 withdrawn gradually, as the special need of their 

 exercise ceased with the altered circumstances of 



the Church. 



Not alone by the ordained clergy, the Bishops, 

 Elders and Deacons, were the Apostles helped. 

 In those days of loving trust, and fiery earnestness, 

 every disciple was a helper in spreading the Gospel. 

 Many are mentioned by name in the Acts and 

 Epistles, among whom are holy women who are 

 declared to have been helpful in the Lord, and 

 there is an allusion to an Order of Deaconesses, 

 made up of those who consecrated their time and 

 talents to the Lord's cause. 



From the very beginning of the upbuilding of the 

 Church, with all of the newness of their labors, 

 with all of the opposition made to them, the 

 Apostles and their helpers evidently followed a de- 



