own opinion. I proceed to show whence this disease came, and how it operated to destroy men. or otherwise employed. There was no change in color, no heat, as when fever supervenes, no inflammation; but until evening the fever was so slight that it suggested no idea of danger, either to the patient or the physician; and indeed none that were ill of it expected to die. But on that day, or the next, or sometimes a few days after, the buboe appeared, mostly in the groin, but in the armpit also, or behind the ears, or sometimes on the thighs. "Thus far the course of the disease was alike in all; for the rest, I cannot tell whether the difference of symptoms arose from difference of constitutions, or is referable to the will alone of Him who sent it. For some fell into a deep stupor, others into raving madness, and each suffered agreeably to the kind of his disorder. For those who were attacked by stupor, forgetting everything to which they were accustomed, seemed always asleep. And if any person were in attendance on them, from time to time they took food: but some who were neglected perished for want of food. The maniacs, on the contrary, were afflicted by sleeplessness, and continual apparitions which attacked them, as they thought, meaning to kill them; so that they raised a great disturbance, and made horrid cries, endeavoring to escape. And their attendants, worn by constant labor, suffered most severely, insomuch that men pitied them no less than those who were ill, not from any danger of contagion (for no physician nor other person fell sick from contact It began in Egypt, among the inhabitants of Pelusium, and dividing, spread on one side to Alexandria, and the rest of Egypt, and on the other into Palestine, and from thence over the whole earth, advancing by its proper way, and at its proper season; for it seemed to advance according to a prescribed plan, and to abide in every country for an appointed time, sparing none as it passed, and extending on either side to the bounds of the habitable world, as if apprehensive lest any recess should escape. For it missed no island, no cave, no mountain summit inhabited by man; or if it did, and spared, or laid its hand but lightly on the dwellers there, then it returned at a later time, and never touching their neighbours, whom before it had attacked most bitterly, quitted not that spot until the measure of the dead fully and justly made up, proportionate to the mortality of the neighborhood in the former season. The disease always began at the sea-side, and spread thence into the interior. It reached Constantinople, where I then happened to be, at midsummer in the second year of its progress, The manner of its attack was this: visions of spirits in all sorts of human shapes, were seen. The sufferers thought they met a man, who struck them, and were taken ill the same moment that they saw the spectre. At first men strove to turn aside these spirits by uttering the holiest names, and hallowing themselves as best they could; but they gain-with the sick or dead; since many employed ed nothing by this, for very many who fled constantly in nursing or burying, against all even to the churches, perished there; and at expectation, survived this service, and many last, even when their friends called them, they for whose illness no cause could be discovered, would not attend, but shut themselves up at died at once), but on account of their hard home, and pretended not to hear, though their labor did they pity them. For it was necessavery doors were yielding to the knocking;ry to replace the patients who would throw so terrified were they, lest it should be some themselves out of bed, and roll on the floor, spirit. Others again were taken ill in a dif- and to drive and hale them back as often as ferent way, and saw some one in a dream, they tried to rush out of the house; and who stood over them and struck them; or such as could find water wanted to plunge in, heard a warning voice, that they were num- not from desire to drink, for they went mostly bered with the dead. But most fell sick in to the sea, but at the suggestion of a disorthe following manner, unwarned of their fate dered mind. And there was also much trouble either by sleeping or waking visions. They in administering food, to which they were felt feverish on first rising, or while walking very adverse. Many died of starvation or some remained many days without burial, because there were no persons that knew them. When the Emperor heard of this, he sent money and soldiers from the palace, and ordered Theodorus, an officer called by the Latins the Referendary, who received all petitions addressed to the Emperor, and signified his pleasure with respect to them, to take charge of this matter; so that they whose houses were not yet entirely desolated, performed the funeral rites of their own connexions; and Theodorus, at the imperial expense, and partly also at his own, buried those bodies that had none to care for them. But when the tombs that were already constructed were filled with corpses, trenches were dug all about the city, into which every one cast the dead as he could, and went away; until the grave diggers, wearied out, took off the roofs of the towers on the wall of the district called Sukai, "The physicians, embarrassed by their unacquaintance with the forms of the disease, and thinking that the element of it was secreted in the buboes, determined to examine the dead bodies; and opening these tumors, found in them something in the likeness of a coal. Some died immediately, some after many days; some threw out black pustules the size of a lentil, all over their bodies, and these lived not one day longer, but died on the instant. Many were carried off at once by vomiting blood. One thing I have to observe, that the most eminent physicians pre-into which they cast the bodies promiscuously, dicted the death of many, who soon after, against all expectation, had nothing ailing, and persisted that many would live, who at that moment were on the point of dissolution. Thus, throughout the disease, there was nothing for which human reason could account, but in almost every instance some unlooked-nor dirges; but it was sufficient if a man for event occurred. The bath did good to some, and no less harm to others. Many who were neglected, died; others unexpectedly survived. Medical treatment had contradictory effects on those who tried it, and in brief, the wit of man found no means of safety, either to ward off or to overcome the evil, but its attack was without apparent cause, and the recovery spontaneous. “The disease lasted in Constantinople four months, and was at its height for three. At first the number of dead was little greater { than ordinary; then the evil increased till it amounted to 5000 daily, and at last to 10,000, and even more. At first every man took care himself to bury those in his household, casting them secretly, or by open force, into other persons' tombs; but at last all was confusion. For slaves remained without masters, and men, formerly rich and happy, were left without common attendance by the sickness and death of their slaves; and many houses were quite emptied of inhabitants: so that and when they were full replaced the roofs. The fetid smell from hence reached the city, and much annoyed the inhabitants, especially when the wind lay in that quarter. "All rites usual at burials were then neglected: there were no processions, no hymns, bore off a corpse upon his shoulders, and cast it down in the maritime quarter of the city. From thence the bodies, piled in heaps on barges, were carried off wherever chance directed. At that time the factions into which the people were before divided, relaxing from their mutual hate, applied themselves conjointly to pay due reverence to the dead, and buried all persons without distinction, whether they had any claim on them or not. And those whose delight had been in base and evil pursuits, shook off their lawless course of life, and accurately performed the duties of religion, not from having repented, and learnt to govern their passions, nor from being suddenly turned into lovers of virtue; for it is impossible to change thus easily the natural temper, or the result of long continued habit, except by means of a divine interposition. But all were terrorstruck at the scenes which surrounded them, and, in the expectation of immediate death, could scarce help assuming a temporary de cency of conduct. But these same men, when they were quit of the plague, and supposed themselves in safety, through its departure to some other quarter, returned even to a worse frame of mind than before, and displayed still greater profligacy in their lives, surpassing their former selves in wickedness and lawlessness. So that one might truly affirm that this disease, either by chance or pre-appointment, accurately distinguished and passed by the worst men. But this was shown afterwards. "At this time you could hardly see any one buying or selling in Constantinople; but those who kept in health sat at home, and took care of the sick, or bewailed the departed. Or if you did meet any abroad, he was carrying All trade was idle; the craftsmen a corpse. desisted from their crafts, and all persons abandoned whatsoever works they had in hand; so that a perfect famine revelled in a city abounding usually in all good things. To have enough of bread, or of any thing else, was difficult, and was considered a great privilege, so that it was thought that some sick persons met with an untimely end for want of necessaries. To sum up, no robes of state were to be seen in Constantinople, especially while the Emperor himself was ill; but in a city where the court of the whole Roman empire was held, all persons dressed like private men, and remained at home. Such was the course of the pestilence in Constantinople and throughout the empire: it also fell upon the Persians and all other barbarians." pale, "While on each head, His lawn-robed servant lays An apostolic hand, and with prayer seals the covenant." T was one of the most beau- thoughts prevail," and many a lovely, bloomtiful days of a peculiarlying cheek, under the holy fear of God, turns beautiful season, that the sound of the "Church-going bell," fell upon the expectant ears of a little band of worshippers in the parish of -9 Vermont-inviting them to commence a day so We have spoken of this occasion as one of lovely in all its aspects, with the sacri- deep and solemn interest. But there was fice of prayer and praise to its Great one heart to whom it brought emotions of an Author. It was indeed a day fraught with intensely absorbing nature. In a retired part peculiar interest, for a long anticipated visit of this little assembly, a mother looked with from their Bishop was then to take place, and feelings too deep for utterance, on the kneeling several of the younger members of the con- group around the altar; for on that very spot, gregation were preparing to ratify their a few short years before, had knelt an only, baptismal vows in the holy rite of confirma-a beloved daughter. Oh! with what vividtion. How solemn, how touching the scene!ness did the whole scene come back to her ་ They gathered in from hill and dale, with recollection! Now, as then, when her child, holiday delight on every brow," inspired by the hallowing touch received, such vibrations the beauty and joyousness of all external to the mother went, that tears burst forth objects. ""Tis passed away-far other amain. -And was power given The little band uprose, followed by the fervent prayers of the Church, that the Saviour, to whose service they have just been so solemnly consecrated, may be indeed their guard and guide, "daily increasing in His Holy Spirit more and more, till they come unto the everlasting kingdom." Four short weeks have glided rapidly away, and again the doors of that little Church are opened to receive devout worshippers. Again the white-robed Prelate stands before the altar of his God, and once more the organ peals forth its solemn strains of thanksgiving and praise, and the sacramental feast is spread for God's elect. All Nature seems to sympathize in these high and unwonted privileges, for the air is filled with melody, and the earth with fragrance and beauty. It is the very Queen of months, when the Great Creator spreads around with such an unsparing hand, those beauties of the natural world, which seem designed, so far as we can discern, to gratify only the eyes of His children, and thus, by leading them" thro' Nature up to Nature's God," furnish new aids to devotion, and new occasions of pious gratitude. than others? Alas! far from it. For they have long mourned one of the greatest of earthly deprivations-the want of a faithful pastor, and the regular administration of God's holy word and sacraments; and they are assembled on this joyful day, to receive from the hands of the chief pastor, a duly instituted priest of the Holy Catholic Church. Beside the altar of his God and Saviour kneels one, whose meek, uplifted eye, and devout humility of manner, express, in terms not to be mistaken, how entire is that self consecration of himself-all that he is, and and But again we are inquired of, why these may be enabled to say-"Here am I, Lord, oft-repeated spiritual privileges? Are a and those whom thou hast given me." people so often favored with the ministration of their Chief Shepherd, more deserving Vermont, Trinity. E. THE SCOTCH COMMUNION OFFICE. of all true-hearted American Churchmen. HE fact of our Church We are perpetually met, of late, with asserhaving found in that of tions and intimations of the unsound and Scotland, a true and effi- Romanizing character of that Church, especient friend, in being sup-cially in its communion service. A place on plied by it with the Epis- the pages of The Evergreen is respectfully copacy, when the worldliness of the asked for that service entire, as being itself a Church of England, in the subjection document of deep interest, probably new to of its ecclesiastical affairs to state most of the readers of this periodical, and as authority, prevented its extending furnishing them with the means of deterthe boon, naturally draws towards mining how far the above mentioned charges the Scottish Church, the affectionate regards have truth on their side. It is as follows: THE COMMUNION OFFICE FOR THE USE OF THE CHURCH IN SCOTLAND, AS FAR AS CONCERNETH THE MINISTRATION OF THAT HOLY SACRAMENT. The Exhortation. Dearly beloved in the Lord, ye that mind to come to the Holy Communion of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ, must consider what St. Paul writeth to the Corinthians, how he exhorteth all persons diligently to try and examine themselves, before they presume to eat of that Bread and drink of that Cup.-For as the benefit is great, if with a true penitent heart and lively faith we receive that Holy Sacrament, (for then we spiritually eat the Flesh of Christ, and drink his Blood; then we dwell in Christ and Christ in us; we are one with Christ, and Christ with us;) so is the danger great if we receive the same unworthily; for then we are guilty of the Body and Blood of Christ our Saviour; we eat and drink our own damnation, not considering the Lord's Body; we kindle God's wrath against us; we provoke him to plague us with divers diseases, and sundry kinds of death. Judge there fore yourselves, brethren, that ye be not judged of the Lord; repent you truly for your sins past; have a lively and steadfast faith in Christ our Saviour; amend your lives, and be in perfect charity with all men; so shall ye be meet partakers of those holy mysteries. And, above all things, ye must give humble and hearty thanks to God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, for the redemption of the world by the death and passion of our Saviour Christ, both God and man, who did hamble Himself, even to the death upon the Cross, for us miserable sinners, who lay in darkness and the shadow of death, that he might make us the children of God, and exalt us to everlasting life. And to the end that we should always remember the exceeding great love of our Master and only Saviour Jesus Christ, thus dying for us, and the innumerable benefits which, by His precious blood. shedding, He hath obtained to us, He hath instituted and ordained holy mysteries, as pledges of His love, and for a continual remembrance of His death, to our great and endless comfort. To Him, therefore, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, let us give, as we are most bounden) continual thanks, submitting ourselves wholly to His holy will and pleasure, and studying to serve Him in true holiness and righteousness all the days of our life. Amen. Then the Presbyter, or Deacon, shall say, the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel, and to his offering; but unto Cain, and his offering, He had not respect. Gen. iv 3, 4. Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart, ye shall take my offering. Exod. XXV. 2. Ye shall not appear before the Lord empty. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which he hath given you. Deut. xvi. 16, 17. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name: bring an offering, and come into His courts. Psalm xcvi 8. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. Matt vi. 19, 20. Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of My Father which is in heaven. A. att. vii. 21. Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into it; and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And He called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in than all they which have cast into the treasury. For all they did cast in of their abundance: but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. Mark xii. 41, 42, 43, 44. Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 1 Cor. ix. 7. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 1 Cor. ix. 11. Do ye not know, that they which minister about holy things, live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the Altar, are partakers with the Altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained, that Let us present our offerings to the Lord with they who preach the Gospel, should live of the reverence and godly fear. Gospel. 1 Cor. ix. 13, 14. Then the Presbyter shall begin the Offertory, saying one He who soweth sparingly, shall reap also spar. or more of these sentences following, as he thinketh mustingly: and he who soweth bountifully, shall reap convenient by his discretion, according to the length or shortness of the time that the people are offering. also bountifully. Every man, according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, In process of time it came to pass that Cain or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver. brought, of the fruit of the ground, an offering unto 2 Cor ix. 6, 7. |