Classical Theology.

CLASSICAL THEOLOGY .

PAPER I . —MINERVA ASTD MARCH . MAUCH , among the Romans , was tbe first month of the year ; but although its name is derived from Mars , the god of war , Minerva , the goddess both of war and wisdom , presided over it . And so "it is , that without ivisdom in the councils of Avar , the acts and deeds of warfare become nothing move than those of murder , massa , eveand wild and

, savage slaughter—a game of blood and a gamble for booty . The name of Minerva is not found among the five great nuptial deities , viz ., Jupiter , " perfectus seu adultus , " Juno , " perfecta seu adulta , " "Venus , Suada , and Diana , who were esteemed so absolutel y requisite at all marriages that none could be laivfully solemnized without them ; nor is she to be met within the list of theother inferior

gods and goddesses which were worshipped at every Avedding—consequently , marriages made in this month were considered to be unfortunate , and accounted unhappy . But , by whatsoever denomination Mars is designated , those famous names , Areopagus and Areopagita are derived from Aonc ( Ares ) his Greek name . The Areopagus , or mountain of Mars , we hardly need observe here , Avas the place at Athens where Mars Avas accused and acquitted of the murder of Halirothius , oVc , befcre tlie " Dii majorum gentium , " or tAvelve superior divinities , who were believed to preside over the tivelve

months of the year , and the tAvelve houses of the Horoscope . To each of them ivas allotted a separate month ; that is—January to Juno , February to Neptune , March to Minerva , April to Venus , May to Apollo , June to Mercury , July to Jupiter , August to Ceres , September to Vulcan , October to Mars , November to Diana , December to Vesta . But many months are yet to come before we can descant more at large

about Mars in accordance ivifch his month . He has introduced our readers to the presidents of the months ; and that is all ive wanted him to do , and all Ave require of him for the present . Minerva , is crowned Avioh a circlet of olive because it is the emblem of peace , and because war ought only to' he made that peace may follow . Hoivever , there is another reason given for * her wearing the

olive . She first instructed mankind in the use of that tree ; according to the poets , and the history of the gods , it is thus related . When a new city ivas built by Cecrops , Neptune and Minerva contended about the naming of it . At length it was resolved by all parties , both gods and men , that Avhich soever of the tivo deities should create the most useful " creature to man , " should ive his or her name to the city .

g Neptuiie , by striking tlie ground with his trident , produced a horse ; Minerva caused an olive tree to rise out of the earth . The olive ivas jud-ed to be a more useful thing for man than the horse . The olive and vine are coupled in the Scriptures , and in like