Page:History of the First Council of Nice.djvu/71

Rh Before the appointed day on which the discussion of the questions which had brought them together had arrived, the bishops assembled together, and, having summoned Arius to attend, began to examine the disputed topics, each one among them advancing his own opinion, and many different questions started out of the investigation. Some of the bishops spoke against the introduction of novelties contrary to the faith which had been delivered to them from the beginning, and some agreed that the faith of God ought to be received without curious inquiries. Others, however, contended that former opinions ought not to be retained without examination. Many of the bishops and of the inferior clergy attracted the notice of the emperor and the court by these disputations, and Athanasius, in particular, greatly distinguished himself in the preliminary assemblies.

Hermias here proceeds to narrate the miracle, as he calls it, by which a heathen philosopher was confounded and converted by a simple old man, who advised him not to expend his labor in vain by striving to disprove facts which could only be understood by faith. The hero of this exploit is said to have been Spyridon, the shepherd-bishop. "Certain of the pagan philosophers," it is asserted by our author, "were desirous of taking part in the discussions—some to get information as to the doctrine that was inculcated, and others to stigmatize them with engaging in a strife about words… The bishops held long consultations; and, after summoning Arius before them, inquired diligently