7. _The Catholic Epistles--General View:_ "Seven epistles are now designated 'general' or 'catholic.' The term was first applied to three of these (James, I Peter, and I John), and afterwards to II Peter and Jude, the brief letters, II and III John, being finally classed with the five others for convenience. The designation implies that the letter was originally addressed to a wider circle of readers than the members of a single community of Christians. In Greek Mss. these epistles were usually placed immediately after the Acts of the Apostles. This group of writings presents great variety in style and diction, in date, and in maturity of doctrinal teaching." (Bible Treasury, p. 149). 8. _Epistle of James:_ "James the Less, brother, or near relation, of our Lord, an Apostle, had the oversight of the Church at Jerusalem (Acts xv: 13), where he remained until his martyrdom (A. D. 62). This epistle, generally attributed to him, shows evident tokens of a degeneracy in the tone of Jewish Christians, to whom it is addressed, stimulating them to the exercise of higher principles. It reproves the prevailing vices of his countrymen,--hypocrisy, presumption, censoriousness, love of riches; and insists that true faith necessitates good works. It is remarkable for its eminently practical nature, the homeliness and aptness of its illustration, and the bold, plain-spoken rebukes of the wealthy oppressors of the poor. It was probably written near the close of his life, and is addressed to the whole 'twelve tribes.'" (Oxford Bible Helps, p. 29.) 9. _St. Peter--Protestant View:_ "Simon Peter, son of Jonas, a fisherman at Bethsaida, was one of the foremost Apostles, by whom three thousand were converted on the Day of Pentecost (Acts ii), and the first Gentile family admitted by baptism into Christianity (Acts x: 47, 48). He is said to have preached to the Jews scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, i. e., the countries of Asia adjacent to the Black Sea, to whom he addressed this epistle from Babylon, probably about A. D. 63. Its general design was to comfort them under afflictions." (Oxford Bible Helps, p. 29.) 10. _St. Peter--Catholic View:_ "The first Epistle of St. Peter, though brief, containeth much doctrine concerning Faith, Hope, and Charity, with divers instructions to all persons of what state or condition soever. The Apostle commandeth submission to rulers and superiors, and exhorteth all to the practice of a virtuous life in imitation of Christ. This epistle is written with such apostolic dignity, as to manifest the supreme authority with which its writer, the prince of the Apostles, had been vested by his Lord and master Jesus Christ. He wrote it at Rome, which figuratively he calls Babylon, about fifteen years after our Lord's Ascension." (Douay Bible, p. 1481.)