Epistilbite

[Gr. epi, and Eng. stilbite.] (Min.) A hydrous silicate of alumina and lime. See STILBITE. Epis'tle, n. [Gr. epistole, a me age or letter; Fr. épis tre.] A letter written from one person to another. The Scriptural epistles are letters which were addre ed by the inspired Apostles to churches or individuals. Of these the Apostle Paul wrote fourteen, St James one, St. Peter two, St. John three, and St. Jude one. Those of Sts. James, Peter, John, and Jude, are commonly called general or Catholic Epistles, as not being addre ed to any particular church, but to the churches in general. It is not without its use that we have the doctrines of the Christian religion laid down, not by one apostle only, but by several, so that the same divine truths are presented to us in different forms, or through different media, and thus their manifold beauties and character are better displayed. In reading an E., we ought to consider the occasion of it, the circumstances of those to whom it was addre ed, the time when it was written, its general scope and design, as well as the intention of particular arguments and pa ages. By E. in the liturgy of the Roman Catholic and Prot. Episcopal churches, is meant the first le on in the communion-service, and so styled because it is generally taken from the sacred Epistles, though sometimes from the Acts, and occasionally from the Prophets.