Classical Theolog-Y.—Lix.

CLASSICAL THEOLOG-Y . —LIX .

LONDON , SATURDAY , OCTOBER 10 , 18 G 3 .

JUNO AND JANUARY . The regulations for the government of the Established Churches of England and Russia are much more in accord than those existing betiveen the constitutions of the Grecian and Roman Catholic Church . ' Spain still enforces interdictions and executions , to the

dishonour not only of Christendom , but in defiance of the strong arm and inajesty of all denominations of united Protestantism . Russia , in the service of her faith , manifests the spirit of that sacred Avisdom -which is Christian toleration , mercy , redemption , and

grace , Avith a devout adherence to and belief in the sevenfold g ifts of miracles as developed in the doetrine of the primitive Church . All classes throughout Russia , alike in their fervour and trust in the efficacy of devotion , flock , with one accord , to their places of

worship , and throng their interiors ; all standing—there being no description of seats—each officiating minister , or presiding priest , mingles Avith the first comers , high and IOAV , and forms the centre of their vast congregations . In celebrating the Holy Communion , they commence by offering their praises to God in

singing psalms , and by reading from the Bible some appointed texts . The priest , " the serA'ant of Christ , " folloAving the example of his Master , blessing and g iving thanks to the Father of All for His merciful kindness , especially by His only begotten Son as the

deliverer of all , relying on redemption through that omniscient sacrifice . The offering , by devout thanksgiving , and by the invocation of the Holy Ghost , so solemnly sanctified , the priest partakes himself of " both the signs , " and then distributes them to all communicants . Thev

condemn as superstitious , and in presumptuous opposition to the teaching of the Lord , the pontifical Avithholding of the sacramental cup from the people , and the substitution of the unleavened wafers . They hold that sanation does not depend upon reA'erential forms and ceremonies , but they admit of veneration

and usefulness , —practically not at variance with apostolical simplicity ; they say that the richness of their robes , their golden candlesticks , their jewelled , enframed paintings , their begemmed sculptures , the lighted candles in their churches , the perfuming

censers , the siguings of the cross , and the consecrated waters , exhibit a dignity , irrespective of cost , comportable with the service of God , and all significant of evangelical concordances . For example , the consecrated water commemorates the baptism of the

Lord , as well as their oivn ; and their hol y days are held in remembrance of the miracles of Christ , the acts of the Apostles , and the saints , to inculcate faith ,

Classical Theolog-Y.—Lix.

and to induce an emulation to godliness , and Christian goodness and forbearance . The Russian cathedrals and principal churches , not only at St . Petersburg , as the St . Izak , and at Moscow , as that of the Holy Kremlin tower , are rich in

architectural grandeur , Avith graceful domes and taperal spires , terminated by crosses , all plated . with pure gold or silver , Avhich shine in the sun like globes and p innacles of glittering fires . Long before the Moskwa gave a name to tbe Russian capital ( MoskoAv ) , the Chinese , or Mongols , about A . D . 1239 , subjugated

Russia , whose seat of government had then been removed from Kier ( Kiou ) to Vladimir . In their subjection under the Tatars , or Tartars , their Christian religion , Avhich united them strongly in that faith to which they oive their present greatness , was strengthened by their having the advantage of the Bible

translated into their OAVU dialect , by Avhich all could understand ; as , while it was in the Greek , it Avas to the multitude scarcely intelligible . This momentous event , with respect to Russia , was arranged by St . Taroslan , the son of St . Vladimir the Great , about A . D . 1035 and carried out by the Archbishop Cyril ;

, and since that time the Church Service has been performed in the Russian , or Avhat is called the Slavonic language . The Church government established in Russia , although dominantly Greek , derived from the most ancient Grecian Christian records , is as tolerant as

the English Established Church . All denominations of Christians are left free to the enjoyment of their OAVU opinions , and even all forms of relig ion meet with unrestricted sufferance . The ecclesiastics are also unstintingly encouraged , and possess important immunities and priA'ileges . Their sacred celebrations , particularly those of the festivals , are extremely splendid , sumptuous , and imposing .

Strasburg Cathedral.

STRASBURG CATHEDRAL .

( From the Builder . ) Ei'Avin von Steinbach has all the credit popularly of Strasburg Cathedral , the loftiest building in the Avorld , and deserves a great deal of that credit . Several other men , boAvever , co-operated in producing the present pile , Avhich , notwithstanding certain

discrepancies in the proportions of the various parts , produces astonishment and admiration in all who look upon it with the mind . In the year 102 S , a cathedral here , on the site probably of a still older building , was roofed in . It experienced A'icissitudes , and in 1140 a tower belonging to it Avas destroyed by fire .

Erivin von Steinbach comes on the scene in the latter half of the thirteenth century , when great part of the then existing building was taken doAvn ; and in 1275 , under the direction of Bishop Conrad , he had nearly finished a HCAV nave . Attention Avas then directed to the Avestem facade and the towers , and "A . D . 1277

in , die hcali Tfrlani [ 25 th of May ] lioc gloriosum opus inclioavil magister Frminus de Steinbach . " ErAvin died in 1318 , and left a family of artists , one of whom , John , succeeded him at the cathedral , and died in 1339 . B y 136 ' 5 , tbe two toivers at the Arest end were finished . Fire destroyed the interior of all but the