1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the begin- ning with God.
3 All things were made by him ;
and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life ; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in dark- ness; and the darkness compre- hended it not.
The Gospel of St. John, which "begins with these verses, is in many respects very unlike the other three Gospels. It contains many things which they omit. It omits many things which they contain. Good reason might easily be shown for this unlikeness. But it is enough to remember that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John wrote under the direct inspiration of God. In the general plan of their respective Gospels, and in the particular details, — in every- thing that they record, and in everything that they do not record, — they were all four equaHy and entirely guided by the Holy Ghost.
About the matters which St. John was speciaUy inspired to relate in his Gospel, one general remark will suffice. The things which are peculiar to his Gospel are among the most precious possessions of the Church of Christ. No
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