Page:History of the First Council of Nice.djvu/13

 The words Council, Synod, and Convention are synonymous. There were many Councils held in Christendom before that of Nice; but they were not Œcumenical, that is, general or universal. At the first Councils the bishops probably represented only their several churches, but they gradually assumed more extensive powers, and claimed to represent larger districts.

In apostolic times the apostles chose the bishops; afterwards the disciples of the apostles chose them, subject to the approval of the community. After this age the bishops of a province mot together and appointed new bishops, which choice had to be ratified by the people. At the Council of Nice a new plan was adopted, as will be seen in the canons.

In this history of a single Council we shall obtain a glimpse of the condition of the Christian Church of that day, Constantine, the great emperor of Rome, being decidedly the most conspicuous figure in the picture. Therefore it seemed proper to add to this edition, his likeness, taken from a coin, and a sketch of his life. It is a pity that so splendid a man, both in form and courage, should have marred his record toward the end of life by inhuman acts of cruelty against his rivals and even his nearest relations. It don't seem possible that he could deem his baptism sufficient to wash out such stains and purify his soul. But he had heartless courtiers about him, who probably encouraged his pretensions to righteousness, and pandered to his vilest propensities.

He wished to convey the idea to his subjects that he felt sure of heaven; for he had a large gold coin