Towards the termination of the first century a spirit of discord disturbed the Church of Corinth; and the Church of Rome, anxious to restore peace, addressed a fraternal letter to the distracted community.  The Epistle was drawn up by Clement, who was then the leading minister of the Italian capital; but, as it is written in the name of the whole brotherhood, and as it had, no doubt, obtained their sanction, it obviously possesses all the authority of a public and official correspondence.  From it the constitution of the Church of Corinth, and, by implication, of the Church of Rome, may be easily ascertained:  and it furnishes abundant proof that, at the time of its composition, both these Christian societies were under presbyterial government.  Had a prelate then presided in either Church, a circumstance so important would not have been entirely overlooked, more especially as the document is of considerable length, and as it treats expressly upon the subject of ecclesiastical polity.  It appears that some members of the community to which it is addressed had acted undutifully towards those who were over them in the Lord, and it accordingly condemns in very emphatic terms a course of proceeding so disreputable.  “It is shameful, beloved,” says the Church of Rome in this letter, “it is exceedingly shameful and unworthy of your Christian profession, to hear that the most firm and ancient Church of the Corinthians should, by one or two persons, be led into a sedition against its elders.” [501:1] “Let the flock of Christ be in peace with THE ELDERS THAT ARE SET OVER IT.” [502:1] Having stated that the apostles ordained those to whom the charge of the Christian Church was originally committed, it is added, that they gave directions in what manner, after the decease of these primitive pastors, “other chosen and approved men should succeed to their ministry.” [502:2] The Epistle thus continues—­“Wherefore we cannot think that those may justly be thrown out of their ministry who were either ordained by them (the apostles), or afterwards by other approved men with the approbation of the whole Church, and who have, with all lowliness and innocency, ministered to the flock of Christ in peace and without self-interest, and have been for a long time commended by all.  For it would be no small sin in us, should we cast off those from the ministry who holily and without blame fulfil the duties of it.  Blessed are those elders who, having finished their course before these times, have obtained a fruitful and perfect dissolution.” [502:3] Towards the conclusion of the letter, the parties who had created this confusion in the Church of Corinth have the following admonition addressed to them—­“Do ye, therefore, who laid the foundation of the sedition, submit yourselves unto your elders, and be instructed unto repentance, bending the knees of your hearts.” [502:4]