64 MANUAL OF INSTRUCTION 



development and advocacy of it. Arianism 

 spread rapidly and widely. Cities and towns were 

 distracted by it. Even Bishops and leading 

 Presbyters adopted it, and the din of controversy 

 was everywhere heard. So rapidly did the heresy 

 grow in some sections, that it seemed as if it would 

 utterly supplant the true faith, and introduce a 

 Christianity entirely different from that which St. 

 Paul had preached, and for which so many martyrs 

 had died. 



Cohstantine found the Church fairly torn asun- 

 der in some sections by this heresy, and it was for 

 the purpose of ascertaining the true faith, and 

 healing the distractions, that he called together the 

 Council at Nice. 



The Council at Nice.— This great council, the 

 first ecumenical, or general council, assembled 

 a. d. 325. 



A summons had been issued to the Bishops and 

 clergy in all parts of Christendom, asking them to 

 meet together, to decide as to the truth or false- 

 hood of the doctrine of Arius. 



Nice was situated in Bithynia, on the bank of the 

 Ascanian Lake. It was a large, well-built city. 

 Every provision was made at the Emperor's com- 

 mand, and at his expense, for entertaining the 

 clergy who were expected. 318 bishops, and 

 many of the inferior ministers, attended. The 



