This personage is executively of somewhat papal authority. However, no dogma of infallibility deifies him. After being elected by all the archbishops, he must be confirmed by the Czar of Russia, who guarantees him protection and enforces his decrees.

There are also other Catholicos at Sis, in the ancient province of Cicilia, and at Akhtamar, upon an island of Lake Van, and two Patriarchs, one at Constantinople and the other at Jerusalem. The function of the Patriarch is more of a political nature, representing the Armenian nation and church to the authorities. Ecclesiastically he holds the rank of a Bishop. Next in order are the archbishops and bishops, who are elected to their office by the entire nation and ordained by the Catholicos. Formerly it was the custom to ordain these officers at Cæsarea or Sis, but in the patriarchate of Nerses the Great, who lived 363 A. D., this custom was discarded by the sentiment of the laity and the present practice inaugurated.

After ordination, the bishop confines himself in a room of the church, fasting and praying for about two weeks, when he is prepared to enter upon his duties. During this time he studies the ritual and forms of the church, and at its conclusion is possessed of the power of absolution. The bishops are much more highly educated than the priests, being elected from an order known as Vartabets, or doctors of theology. Indeed, the Vartabets represent the highest culture of the nation, and to them it is indebted for most of its literature. The priest is chosen by the people from

among themselves, and is supposed to possess a good education and knowledge of the Bible. He is, as a rule, a venerable man with a long beard.

Celibacy is not compulsory, but a priest can not rise

higher than his order while his wife is living. He performs the marriage ceremony, administers baptism, officiates at funerals and takes charge of the morning and evening services of the church. He receives no salary, but depends

on contributions for his support. It can easily be imagined why we have no wealthy priests. The Armenian monks are of the order of St. Basil.

As has been indicated before, the Armenian Church is Apostolic, orthodox in its form, Episcopal and liberal in its nature. In theology it is Augustinian, adopting the Apostolic, the Nicene and the Athanasian creeds. It has more affinity now to the Church of England than to any other.

It embraces the doctrine of the Trinity, and believes in the incarnated divinity of Christ, separated but blended in perfect harmony in an unapproachable life. It declares that the holy spirit is an essence emanating from God, and that it is the source of union between God and man. It believes in the adoration and mediation of saints, but not in the purgatorial penance, though prayer and entreaties are offered for the pardon of departed souls. Contrary to the Greek and Roman churches, it places the Bible in the hands of all the people, believing in the potency of the inspired word for the conviction and salvation of souls.

Every morning at sunrise and every evening at sunset the people assemble in the churches and regular services are held. The scriptures are chanted or read. The sermon is usually preached and the ceremonies performed in the ancient Armenian tongue. This part of the service is not given the prominence it receives in this country, and it is not uncommon for the people to go home before or even during the preaching, because of the lengthy liturgy. The

sign of the cross is used at all services. The adoration of the pictures of saints and the cross is believed to be of special efficacy. The church liturgy, though ancient and extensive, is yet most beautiful in style and in religious sentiment.

There are seven sacraments-baptism, confirmation, the eucharist, penance, ordination, marriage and extreme unction. The Armenian Church practices a triple immersion of infants, and teaches that by it original sin is washed away, while actual sin requires auricular confession and penance. Confirmation is administered immediately after baptism, the child being anointed with holy oil. The doctrine of Transubstantiation is regarded as extremely important, unleavened bread being used in the sacrament and dipped in undiluted wine.

Penance consists in fasting, which occurs every Wednesday and Friday, and also in abstaining from eggs and meat of all kinds. Confession to the priesthood constitutes a necessary preparation for participation in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

There are also many sacred holidays, among which is Christmas, celebrated on the eighteenth of January; Nativity and Epiphany on the sixth. Extreme unction

is administered only to the ecclesiastics.

Like the children of erring Israel, the Armenians have wandered often and far from the primitive faith, and yet we can but admire the heroism with which they have contended for their religion and church? With the introduction of Christianity we can bid a final adieu to

the pagan influence in the social and religious life of the Armenians, for having given up their idols and torn down temples of Bael, they took up the cross never to lay it down. That church has for its corner-stone Christ Jesus, and rests on the firm foundation of the inspired revelation. But to the truth has been added much superstition, and the religion once so full of spirit and devotion, has lapsed into mere formalism, which is fatal to every Christian grace and fruit. Armenia still upholds her torch, but it emits no gracious light; while yet the knee is bent to the one true God, the spirit kneels not to its King. The voice of the disciples here heard so long ago inspires no more, and the fire kindled in the souls of men has almost sunk to ashes. How sad to think that she who gave so much is poor to-day in what so freely she bestowed! and yet it need not be so.

While Christian nations are seeking to save the lost in darker lands, let them not forget their obligation to Armenia; from her freely they have received, and now, in her dire necessity, should they not freely give? The occidental Christendom, which to-day enjoys the peace, love and cordial fellowship of Christianity-so cheap, so easy, so honorable; do they not owe something to our Oriental pioneer, who "fought to win the prize, and sailed through bloody seas?" And not only is it an obligation but a privilege to evangelize a land, the scene of the Apostles' first efforts.

Armenia's earnest appeal should not fall lightly on the