THE REV. DR. KILLEN.

Some time after this letter was written, ecclesiastical literature
sustained a severe loss in the death of its amiable and
accomplished author. Though Dr. Cureton here expressed himself
with due caution, his language is certainly not calculated to
reassure the advocates of the Ignatian Epistles. One of their most
learned editors in recent times--so far from speaking in a tone of
confidence respecting them--here admits that he attached to them
"no very great importance." Though he had spent twenty years
chiefly in their illustration, he acknowledges that he was
constantly endeavouring "to add some new light" for his guidance.
To him, therefore, the subject must have been still involved in
much mystery.

It is noteworthy that, in the preceding letter, he has not been
able to point out a solitary error in the statement of the claims
of these Epistles as presented in _The Ancient Church_. He
alleges, indeed, that the arguments employed are "based upon
presumptive evidence, negative evidence, and the evidence of
appropriateness;" he confesses that these proofs are "valuable;"
but, though he contends that they must all "tumble to the around
before one single fact," he has failed to produce the one single
fact required for their overthrow.

Dr. Cureton had obviously not been previously aware that Dr. Bentley,
the highest authority among British critics, had rejected the
Ignatian Epistles. Had he been cognisant of that fact when he