disciples, the ex-customs officer of Capernaum should be the one to
undertake this transcendently important task.

[Sidenote: _Aim of the The Fourth Gospel_]

The Fourth is clearly the latest of the Gospels, for it does not attempt
fully to reproduce the facts presented in the other three, but assumes
their existence. Its doctrines are also more fully developed, and its
aim is not simply the giving of historical facts and teachings, but
also, as it clearly states, that those reading it _might believe that
Jesus was the Christ, the son of God, and that believing they might have
life in his name_ (xx. 31). The motive that produced it was, therefore,
apologetic and evangelical rather than merely historical.

[Sidenote: _Review of growth of the Gospels_]

A detailed comparison of the differences between the Gospels, as well as
of their many points of likeness which often extend to exact verbal
agreement, furnishes the data for reconstructing their history. In
general the resulting conclusions are in perfect harmony with the
testimony of the Church Fathers. Mark, the shortest and more
distinctively narrative Gospel, is clearly the oldest of the four.
Possibly it was originally intended to be the supplement of the other
early source, Matthew's _Sayings of Jesus_, now known only through
quotations. These two earliest known Christian records of the work of
the Master in their original form were the chief sources quoted in the
First and Third Gospels. So largely is Mark thus reproduced that, if
lost, it would be possible from these to restore the book with the
exception of only a few verses. But in addition, Matthew and Luke each
have material peculiar to themselves, suggesting other independent