Numbers.

reason for the preference of this number for sacred use by Pythagoras has been found in its consisting of three—the number of the sides of the triangleand four—the sides of a square , these being the simplest rectilinear figures . Another reason

appears to be astronomical , or rather astrological , viz ., the observation of the seven planets , and the phases of the moon , changing every seventh day . In innumerable instances in the Old Testament and later Jewish writings , the number is used as a

kind of round number . In the New Testament Ave have the churches , candlesticks , stars , trumpets , spirits , all to the number - of seven , and the seven horns and seven eyes of the lamb . The same number appears again either divided into half ( 3 £ years , Rev . xii . 5 , xi . 3 , xii . 6 , & c ) , or

multiplied by ten . In tradition , fable and history , we find the Seven Wise Men , the Seven Dolours of the Virgin Mary , the Seven Sleepers , the Seven Wise Masters , the Seven Warders of the World , the Seven Years War , the Seven Champions of

Christendom , the Seven League Boots , the Seven Hills of Rome , the Seven Stars , the Seven Metals , the Seven Sons , the Seven Brothers , the Seven Sisters , seventy Israelites went to E gypt , the exile lasted seventy years , there were seventy

elders , and at a later period there were supposed to be seventy languages , and seventy nations upon the earth . Among the Greeks then seven was sacred to Apollo and Dionysos , who , according to Orphic legends was torn into seven , ieces and

p ; it Avas particularly sacred in Enboea , where tho number Avas found to pervade , as it ivere , almost every sacred , private or domestic relation , On the '

many ancient speculations Avhich connected the number seven with the human body , and the phases of its gradual development and formation , its critical periods of sicknesses—partly still extant as superstitious notions—it is unnecessary here to

dwell . The Pythagoreans made much of this number , giving it the names of Athene , Hermes , Hephaistos , Heracles , the Virgin unbegotten and unbegetting [ i . e . not to be obtained by multiplication ) Dionysos , Rex . & c .

Among the Hebrews , the etymology of the word shews its sacred import ; for from the word "shebang" [ seven ) is derived the verb " shabang " [ to swear ) , because oaths were confirmed by seven witnesses , or by seven victims offered in sacrifice ,

as we read in the covenant of Abraham and Abimelech ( Gen . xxi ., 28 ) . The radical meaning of shebang is sufficiency" or "fulness , " and the

number seven was thus denominated , because it Avas on the seventh day that God completed all His Avork of creation ; and " hence , " says Parkhurst , " seven Avas , both among believers and heathens , the number of sufficiency or completion . " There

is a frequent reference to this number in Scripture . The Sabbath ivas the seventh day . JSToah received seven days' notice of the commencement of tha Deluge , and was commanded to select clean beasts and foivls by sevens . Seven persons accompanied

him into the ark . The ark rested on Mount Ararat on the seventh month . The intervals between despatching the dove Avere , each time , seven days . The toAver of Babel was said to have been elevated seven storeys before the dispersion . The Avails of

Jericho Avere encompassed seven days , by seven priests , bearing seven ram's horns . Solomon was seven years building the Temple , which ivas dedicated in the seventh month , and the festival lasted seven days . The candlestick consisted of seven

branches . Furthermore , "If Cain be avenged sevenfold , Lamech seventy and seven . " Abraham pleaded seven times for Sodom . He gave seven ewes to Abimelech for a well of water . Jacob served seven years for Rachel , and also another

seven years . Joseph mourned seven years for Jacob . Laban pursued after Jacob seven days ' journey . The seven years of plenty and the seven years of famine were foretold in Pharoah ' s dream by seven fat and lean beasts , and seven ears of corn .. The children of Israel were to eat unleavened

bread seven days . The young of animals were to remain Avith the dam seven days , and at the close of the seventh to be taken away . By the old law _ . man Avas commanded to forgive his offending brother seven times , but the meekness of the Saviour

extended his forgiveness to seventy and seven .. The three Begalim , or Pilgrim festivals ( Passah , festival of weeks , and tabernacles ) lasted seven days ; and between the first and second of these feasts Avere counted seven weeks . The first day

of the seventh month was a " Holy Convocation . " Every seventh year ivas directed to be a year of rest for all things , and at the end of seven timesseven years commenced the jubilee . They Avereto observe a feast seven clays , after they hacl gathered

in their corn and ivine . Seven days they were to keep a solemn feast , as they had been blessed in the Avorks of their hands . Every seventh year the land lay falloiv . Every seven years there Avas a general release from old debts , and bondsmen Avere set free . Every seventh year the