in the days of Polycarp, vessels were continually leaving its harbour
for towns on the opposite coasts of the Aegaean. A Christian
merchant resident in Syria would thus have facilities for sending
letters left with him either to Smyrna or Philippi. Ignatius or
his friends may have heard of an offer from such a quarter to take
charge of their correspondence, and may have accordingly made the
suggestion noticed at the close of Polycarp's letter. As the
island of Syria was well known to them all, the Smyrnaeans could
not have misunderstood the intimation.

This explanation throws light on another part of this postscript
which has long been embarrassing to many readers. After adverting
to the request of Ignatius and the Philippians relative to the
conveyance of the letters, Polycarp adds, "which request I will
attend to if I get a fit opportunity, either personally, or by one
whom I shall depute to act likewise on your behalf." [29:2]
According to the current interpretation, Polycarp here suggests
the probability of a personal visit to the eastern capital, if he
could find no one else to undertake the service. The occasion
evidently called for no such piece of self-sacrifice on the part
of this apostolic Father. The Church of Antioch, after the removal
of its pastor Ignatius, was, we are assured, delivered from
farther trouble, and was now at peace. [30:1] The presence of the
minister of Smyrna there was utterly unnecessary; [30:2] the place
was very far distant; and why then should he be called on to
undertake a wearisome and expensive journey to Antioch and back
again? Polycarp admits that his visit was not essential, and that
a messenger might do all that was required quite as well. But if
by Syria we understand one of the Sporades or Cyclades, we are
furnished with a ready solution of this enigma. The little island