We have remarked, that hitherto the Christian churches were entirely independent of each other. About the middle of the second century, the Greek churches began to unite into general associations the whole churches Of a province forming one body, and agreeing to be governed by general rules of discipline, which were concerted and framed by a council of the elders, or deputies from each particular church. These assemblies the Greeks termed Synods and the Latin churches, following the same example, termed these general meetings Concilia and the rules of discipline there enacted were called Canons. AS it was necessary for the maintenance of order in these assemblies, that some person Of authority should preside, the right of presiding was conferred, by an election of the several bishops, either upon some one of them selves possessing eminent virtue or abilities, or.
