where several thousands were converted and baptized. On June fifth, 755, the day appointed to confirm a great number, some pagans killed him and fifty-two of his companions. In Armorian in Upper Phrygia, in 845, fifty-two Christians were martyred by the Saracens-Mohammedans. These martyrdoms continued until the papacy took it up. "And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bond man, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountians; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" Revelation vi: 12-17. It is claimed by some that this has or would take place literally. If it is figurative language, we suggest the following interpretation. A great earthquake might symbolize the changes in governments in different countries following the breaking up of the Roman empire. The sun became black; this might mean that in those dark ages God's gracious presence was obscured. In Psalm lxxxiv: 2, we read, "The Lord God is a Sun." And in Malachi iv: 11, we read, "Unto you that fear My name shall the Sun (Christ) of righteousness arise with healing in His wings." It is very evident from the history of the mediaeval age that the Sun of righteousness was very much obscured. And as the moon receives its light from the sun, so religious ordinances receive their light from Christ, the Sun of righteousness; but under papal authority ordinances were instituted which shed the blood of thousands. And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth. Brilliant Christians of the church were cut down as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs. The mountains, or governments, changed their boundaries and forms of government. Innocent III., 1198-2116, exercised full power. He hurled his animosity with deadly effect against the authority of emperors and kings with vigor, and wrested whole provinces from imperial domination. He claimed the right of deposing kings. The power claimed by the Roman pontiffs of desposing kings received the implicit sanction of a general council. The moral condition of the people had become so rupt that there was a general feeling of the necessity of reform. Among other things, for a period of 32 years, 1378-1410, the church was scandalized by rival popes, Benedict XIII., at Geneva, and successively, by Clement VII., Boniface IX., Innocent VII., and Gregory XII., at Rome, each party hurling their anathemas, with the foulest accusations, at the other. A council was called at Pisa.

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to settle the disputes of the popes, and to establish principles of reform. The contesting popes were deposed, and Alexander V. was elected, who dismissed the council immediately on his election, without discussing questions of reform. The assembly was much disappointed, and great was their indignation. Another council convened at Constance, 1414-18, John XXIII., Gregory XII., and Benedict XIII., were deposed, and Martin V. was elected pope. Here again they were prevented from discussing the needed reforms. There assembled with the emperor Sigismond, 26 princes, 140 counts, more than 20 cardinals, 7 patriarchs, 20 archbishops, 91 bishops, 600 prelates and about 4,000 priests. These were the great men, the rich, and chief men of that time who were very anxious for reform. They believed that God was wroth with them on account of the abominations committed, and we think that they felt like hiding themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains.

Both divisions were much weakened by the invasion of barbarians, and finally Odoaces of Attila put himself at the head of armed barbarians; he overthrew the last occupant of the throne of the Caesars in 476, and held dominion 17 years. He fixed his residence at Ravenna. He was assassinated, Feb. 27, 493.

The Roman pontiff's securing the control of the secular government was gradually accomplished. Possession of wealth secured certain privileges in the government. By this means they first nominated functionaries and judges. They acquired a very large. amount of land. The amount was greatly increased under Innocent I., 401-417; and they secured much larger possessions under Gregory I., 590-604. Government was so largely under the control of the wealthy that even the office of the emperor had been bought at a stipulated price. The popes claimed to be the defenders of the church and state. Five times Rome was sacked by the barbar ians, and saved by the bishops. For many years the pontiffs hel the dominion of the secular government in Rome; but finally lost. the control, so that now the pope's secular authority is limited to the Vatican.

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SECTION X.

Sealing 144,000, and a Multitude
Before the Throne.

"And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed a hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel." Revelation vii: 1-4. After these things. After these things. After Jesus had opened six seals, the seventh seal was opened later. Four angels holding the four winds of the earth-causing war and strife to cease until the angel from the east sealed in their foreheads 144,000 of the children of Israel. This sealing was done on the earth. Later we are introduced to these Israelites on the mount Sion, as follows: "And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with Him a hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father's name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: and they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the nundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God." Revelation xiv: 1-5. In this passage we are informed that the 144,000 Israelites are with the Lamb on mount Sion, having a joyous time, and heaven was vocal with music, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder, and the voice of harpers, harping with their harps. And these Israelites sang as it were a new song, which no other person could learn. These were the firstfruits unto God and unto the Lamb; and without guile or fault before the throne. "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with