In a Coptic Ritual, preferred in the library of the Vatican at Rome, among ot ^_ 
directions for the adminiftration of the facred rites, the following is one: — “ After 
“ founding of the trumpet thrice, the prieft fhall walk round the altar, with the ce0 ^ g 
“ ofincenfe in his hand; and taking the holy oil, fhall mark the four corners of *• 
<c altar with the fign of the Crofs 
In that valuable monument of the facred hiftory of China , fculptured in the facerdo* ^ 
characters, held in fuch lafting veneration by the learned of that country, (copi £S j 
which, with tranflations, fome centuries ago, were brought to Rome f, and juftly adfl 111 ^ 
as a momentous memorial of their facred tenets) there are two paflages which n ^ 
claim our notice here, on account of the Angularity of the fublime ideas, which are ti 
connected with the fign of the Crofs. The firft is in the hiftory of the Creation 
" The Most Holy gave forth the facred Sign, the Sign of the Cross, that h^ 
ft monized the Univerfe: — the elements in union furrounded the earth — the revolt 
" of the fun and moon commenced — light and darknefs held alternate reign — day 
“ night began.” 
The other is in the fixth column, where mention is made of the happy- eff e< ^ 
fome religious inftitutions : — , 
a nr 0 
“ Thus the records of Divine Truth were made known : by them the do , 
‘‘ heavenly light and love was opened ; the fign of the Crofs prevailed, and UI ' L 
“ by its influence ;he whole empire of Sina in one general bond of amity.” 
This laft has fo much the fpirit of a juft eulogium on the influence of Chrift‘ an *Jj 
fo infpire univerfal benignity of heart, that it was claimed by the Society or J s 
as evangelical ; and imparted to the priefts of the Indian empire by the early ^ ucCe ^ ot n 
of the Apoftles : and indred otherwife would have been altogether inexplicable, but ^ 
the revival of thofe elevated principles of piety and regard to the Divine domim 011 ’ 
which the Crofs from the beginning was the facred fymbol. 
Obelifc- Pamfbil, 487. 
f Kcrchtr, China Illuftrata. 
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