1843.] and the Abyssinian Church. 685 



solution for heavy offences against either God or man, and the ark of a 

 church, whether newly constructed or polluted by the unhallowed touch 

 of a Mahomedan, must be purified by his hands, with the holy merom, be- 

 fore being entitled to that high adoration which it thenceforward receives. 



The second place in spiritual dignity is filled by the Cheggrie, the 

 head of the monks, seated on the throne of Tekla Haimanot, one of 

 the first founders of the orders of seclusion. He engrosses the manage- 

 ment of all the various monastic establishments throughout the empire, 

 and in his hand remains the charge of existing literature and edu- 

 cation. Deeply versed in the subtleties of theology, his opinion is held 

 of the highest import in the never-ceasing disputes upon the uninterest- 

 ing subjects of false faith, which occupy the mind of the Abyssinian 

 divine ; but his authority extends only to the simple admittance into the 

 monkish order, and to granting absolution for the minor offences of 

 evil thought and prescribed fasts neglected. 



The offices of the Comus, or Bishop, who ranks next above the com- 

 mon priest are few and simple. Without diocese or even authority 

 over the inferior members of the Church, his peculiar function is to bless 

 and purify the sacred ark, should it accidentally receive the impure touch 

 of the deacon or layman, to repeat the prayer of admission, and sign 

 the cross on the skull cap of the candidate for the monastic seclusion, 

 and to afford absolution for trivial offences against the conscience. 



Ignorant, bigotted, and licentious, the priesthood of Shoa are restrain- 

 ed under little rule or authority. The beauty of morality influences 

 not their conduct, and punishable only by the king, or by their own 

 brethren vice, excepting of the most flagrant nature, and resounding 

 through the voice of an indignant people, is screened by the fellow-feel- 

 ing of the sympathizing judges. Their number and cause might effect 

 high power in the realm, but indolence and dissolute habits counteract 

 the influence ; and contented with the outward mark of respect from a 

 besotted multitude, and enjoying a fair proportion of the good things 

 of this world, they give little heed for the care of souls, either here or 

 hereafter. 



But in order to obtain the desired and enviable position of eating the 

 bread of comparative idleness, a sacrifice is indispensible. The priest 

 is restricted to the possession of one single wife, and on the demise or 

 infidelity, no second marriage is authorized. 



