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the one with the hole, for holding the oil of chrism. He considers 

 it to be confirmatory of this idea that the spoons have generally 

 been found by running water, as those here described were found 

 near the brook at Weston. The preference of the Celts for "living 

 water" in the administration of baptism is shewn by reference to 

 ancient writers, as Bede and Adamnan. The use of these spoons 

 is thus explained by Canon Rock : — 



" Two distinct anointings, each with a particular oil, took place 

 at baptism ; the first with olive oil, on the breast and between the 

 shoulders, in the form of a cross, rubbed there by the right-hand 

 thumb that had been dipped in the consecrated oil held in that 

 spoon without a hole, while yet standing in the water under which 

 the catechumen had been three times plunged ; the second and 

 principal anointing was given to the neophyte within the tabernacle 

 woven for the ceremony of fresh and budding boughs. The oil here 

 used was olive, but plentifully mingled with the costly and sweet- 

 smelling balsam or balm of Gilead. Among the Celtic people this 

 second oil was not, Uke the first, merely rubbed as now, but actually 

 poured out upon the crown of the head, where it was made to trickle 

 in the shape of a cross. To do this well and accm-ately, so as not 

 to spill it where it ought not to fall, the second or pierced spoon 

 was employed. Holding this in his right hand, the celebrant let 

 flow slowly through the small hole little drops of the chrism, so 

 that it might take the shape of a cross upon the neophyte's head ; 

 •and while this anointing was meant to imply the teaching of St. 

 John (1 St. John, ii., 20) it took for itself the word xc'^i^* used by 

 the Apostle. The very earliest hitherto known forms for baptism 

 are those which were used in Gaul, to whose people our Celts were 

 alike in their heathen as well as their Chi'istian belief and 

 ceremonial." 



The above is Canon Rock's explanation, which he endeavours to 

 confirm by reference to various liturgical works, as may be seen by 

 reference to his paper. And he adds, "From whatever side, 

 whether domestic or ritual, we look at them, these spoons are 

 highly curious and valuable." 



As to the probable date of these spoons, the cross would carry 

 them back to the end of the third or beginning of the fourth century, 



