Confessors, at their first appearing before the Council, were _Novatians_, whom they had brought back with them; but I dare not affirm it, since St. _Cyprian_, in his Answer to _Cornelius_, speaks only of the Four above-mentioned Confessors. [Sidenote: Cornelius _acquaints St._ Cyprian _with their Return_.] The Confessors being thus returned, to the inexpressible Joy of the whole People, _Cornelius_, impatient to impart the good News to St. _Cyprian_, writ to him, as soon as the Council broke up, to acquaint him with what had happened, and invite him to partake of the common Joy, to which he had so much contributed[391]. With this Letter _Nicephorus_ the Acolyte embarked, without Delay, for _Africa_; and thence returned soon after with an Answer, wherein St. _Cyprian_ assured _Cornelius_, that, the Return of the Confessors had caused an universal Joy in _Africa_, both for their Sake, and because it might open the Eyes of many, and prove in the End the Ruin of the schismatic Party[392]. The Confessors themselves writ to St. _Cyprian_, upon their Return[393], who immediately answered them[394]; and, in all Likelihood, to the other chief Bishops of the Church; since _Eusebius_ informs us, that _Dionysius_, Bishop of _Alexandria_, writ twice to them after their Return[395]. [Sidenote: _In what manner_ Novatian _endeavoured to keep the rest steady_.]In the mean time _Novatian_, seeing great Numbers, moved by the Example of the Confessors, daily fall off from his Party, to keep the rest steady by the most sacred Ties, used, in administring the Eucharist, to hold the Hands of those who received it, with the holy Bread in them, between his, and oblige them to swear, _by the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ_, that they would never abandon him, nor return to _Cornelius_[396]. [Sidenote: _A Schism in the Church of_ Carthage.]