Imatges de pàgina
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Of the Soul-Bell, its Antiquity, the Reason of its Institution, the Benefit and Advantage of it, an Exhortation to the Use of it according to its first Institution.

THE Ceremony of tolling the Bell at the

Time of Death, seems to be as ancient as the having of Bells themselves; we are told, * it was about the seventh Century when Bells were first in the Church, and that venerable Bede is the first that mentions them. If this be true, then it is as true, that the tolling of the Bell was instituted about that time; for

* Bingham's Orig. Eccl. Lib. 3.

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where our Countryman mentions the Word Campana, or Bell, there it also is, that we find a Bell made use of for the Dead: * For at the Death of the Abbess St. Hilda, he tells us that one of the Sisters of a distant Monastery, as she was sleeping, thought she heard the well-known Sound of that Bell, which called them to Prayers, when any of them had departed this Life. But be that as it will, it is evident that the Bell was tolled upon this occasion about Bede's Time, and consequently that the Ceremony is as ancient as his Days.

The Reason why this custom was instituted, was not, as some seem to imagine, for no other End than to acquaint the Neighbourhood, that such a Person was dead; but chiefly, that whoever heard the Noise of the Bell, should put up their Prayers for the Soul: Thus the Father above mentioned tells us again, † That she who presided in this Monastery, had no sooner heard this, than she raised all the Sis

* Hæc, tunc in dormitorio sororum pausans, exaudivit subito in aere notum campanæ sonum, quo ad orationes excitari vel convocari solebant, cum quis eorum de seculo fuisset evocatus. Bed. Eccl. Hist. Lib. 4. Cap. 23.

+ Quod cum illa audisset, suscitavit cunctas sorores & in ecclesiam convocatas, orationibus & psalmis pro anima matris operam dare monuit. Ibid.

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ters, and called them into the Church, where she exhorted them to pray fervently, and sing a Requiem for the Soul of their Mother. Cassalion also upon this Place of Bede, says, That* the same Custom is still observed in England, that as soon as any hath departed this Life, the Bell belonging to the Parish he liv'd in, was immediately tolled, and for some Time.-And though (says he) the English now deny, that Prayers are of any Service to the Dead; yet could meet with no other Account of this Ceremony, than that it was a Custom of the old Church of England.

And for this Reason it is, that this Custom was first observed, and should be still retained among us, viz. That the Prayers of the Faithful may be assisting to the Soul; and certainly it might be more profitably retained, were it so ordered, that the Bell should be tolled before the Person's Departure, as was undoubtedly designed when this Ceremony was con

* Et talis ritus etiam de præsenti servatur in Anglia, ut cum quis decessit, statim campana propriæ illius Parochiæ spéciali quodam modo sonat per aliquod temporis spatium.-Quamvis Angli negent modo orationes & suffragia defunctis proficua; non aliam tamen in hoc ab illis rationem potui percipere, quam quod talis sonus sit ritus antiquæ ecclesiæ Anglicana, Cassali de vet. Sac. Christ. Rit. P. 241.

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tinued, that good men might give him their Prayers. Was this always so observed, there might be some Moses amongst the Number of the Faithful, whose Prayers could prevail upon God to beat back the Amalekites of Darkness; some whose Faith might remove a Mountain of Sins, and some whose Tears procure a Multitude of Mercies. O the Comfort of the Forgiveness of Sins! Of being guided safely through the Shadow of Death! Of arriving securely at the heavenly Country! What is it that Prayer can't obtain ?

But though the Wickedness and Impenitency of the dying Person be such, as that the Prayers of the Faithful will not be sufficient to avert the Wrath and Punishment of a justly incensed God; yet as this can be only known to God, it will not discharge Men from recommending him to the Divine Mercy, in the most passionate and affectionate Manner. They thereby express the most laudable Zeal, the most disinterested Charity; and whilst they are so solicitous for the Happiness and Welfare of other Men's Souls, they cannot but be thereby influenced to have the greatest Concern for their own, and be both encouraged and directed to proceed with an holy Emulation

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