RELIGION. 159 



the baptismal vow made for him by his godflithers and 

 godmothers. 



Consecra'tion. — The act of devoting and dedicating anything 

 to the service and worship of God. 



Dec'alogue. — The ten commandments given by God to Moses. 



Diocese.— The circuit of every bishop's jurisdiction. 



Dispensation. — License or permission to do something forbid- 

 den or to omit something commanded. 



Dogmatics. — The science which treats of the arrangement and 

 the statement of the doctrines of Christianity. 



Eas'ter. — The day on which the Christian Church commem- 

 orates our Saviour's resurrection. 



Ecumenical Council. — An assembly which represents the 

 whole body of the Christian Church ; as the Council of 

 Nice. 



Epiph'any. — A Christian festival, otherwise called the mani- 

 festation of Christ to the Gentiles, observed on tlie Gtli of 

 January, in honor of the appearance of our Saviour to 

 the three magi, or wise men, who came to adore and bring 

 him presents. 



Esoter'ics. — Doctrines mysterious or hidden. 



Eucharist. — The sacrament of the Lord's Supper, commem- 

 orating the death of our Saviour. 



Euchol'ogy. — The ritual of the Greek Church, in which are 

 set down the order of ceremonies, sacraments, and ordi- 

 nances. 



Excommunica'tion. — A penalty or censure, whereby persons 

 who are guiUy of any notorious crime or offence are sepa- 

 rated from the communion of the chuich, and deprived 

 of all .spiritual advantages. 



Exege'sis. — The science of interpreting the Holy Scriptures. 



Exorcism. — -The act of exorcising, or the expulsion of evil 

 spirits from persons or places by certain adjurations and 

 ceremonies ; also a form of prayer or incantation used for 

 tliis end. 



Extreme' Unc'tion. — One of the sacraments of the Roman 

 Catholic Church, administered to people dangerously sick, 

 by anointing them with holy oil and praying over them. 



Good. Friday. — A fast of the Christian Church in memory of 

 the suft'erings and death of Jesus Christ. 



Hagiol'ogy (Gr. hngios, holy, and loffos, a discourse). — A 

 history or description of the sacred writings. 



