American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-10-31
JOB PRINTING
DONE AT THE
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antiqaity of Church Bells. The precise date
I the invention Of bells cannot be traced. The an
Btnts, it appears from Martial, Juvenal, Suetonus
others had an article named tintinnablua, usually
3nslated belly by which the Romans were sum-
soned to their baths and public places 1t seems
Ost probable, that the description Of bells used
! churches were invented about the year 400, and
&nerally adopted before the commencement OF the
&yeilh century. Previous to their invention, how
her. sounding brass, and sometimes basins were
ked; and to the present day, the Greek church
i've boards or iron plates full Of holes which they
! rke with hammer, or mallet, to summon the
kiesls and others, to divine service. We may also
kmark that in our own county, it was the custom
monasteries to visit every PERSONS cell early 10
BE morning, and knock on the door with similar
tsrumenl, calltd the Weakening mallet-doubtless,
. very pleasing intru sion on the slumbers Of the
Monks.
But, the use of BELLS having been established, ii
&ls found that devils were terrified at the sound,
hi SUNK in haste away in consequence OF which
was thought necessary to baptlze them IN solemn
mner, which appears to have been first done by
ope John Kill A. d. 968. A record OF this
$aClice still exists 10 the Tom of Llnkoln, and the
= Fsat Tom al Oxford, &c.
Having thus laid the foundation OF supersttlous
<tneation in the hearts Of the common people II
tannot be matter Of surprise that they were soon
ed at rejoicngs and high festivals in the church.
sOr the purpose of driving away any evil spirit
Which might be in the neighborhood,) as well as
n the arrival of any great parsonage, on which &C.
pson the usual fee was one penny.
One other custom remains to be explained, VIZ
flDs bell on the occasion of any PERSONS DEATH
u,lom which, in the manner now practised, IS To-
PLY different from its original institution. 1t APP
EARS to have been used as early as the 7th century
hen bells we're first generally used, and to have
Zen dehominated the soul bell, Gas it sgnlhed the
eparing Of the soul,) as also, the passing bell
Thus Whealy tells US, Our church, in limitation
the Saints OF former ages, calls in the Minister
&nA others who are at hand, to assist their brother
y his last extremity in order to this, she directs
bell should be tolled when any one IS passing on
y this fe." Durand also says" When any on'
dying, bells must be tolled, that the people ma!
ut up their prayers for him; letthis be done twic
br woman, and thrice for man. Ii Tor cler
lyman, as many times as he had orders; and a
he conclusion, neal on all the bells, TO distin
&uish the Quality of the person for whom the peo
Be are TO put up their prayers From these pas
tges it appears evident that the bell was to be tol
#ed before PERSONS deceasc, rather than Wter'
y the present day and that the object was to Oh
an the prayers of all who heard 1t, Tor Inc repos
The soul OF their departing Heighoor. AZ mrs
hen The tolling took place after the persons az
Fease, it was deemed superstitious, and was part
$ly dsused, which was found materially to aife
The revenue of the church. The priesthood haVlr
Removed the objection, bells were again tolled upe
payment Of customary tees' Lon PnP'