The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1869-10-14
aAisfellaneous.
Something About Bells.

L nc OflSlD Vi DellS may DC uhteu iIou
the time OF Moses. In the 18th chap
ter of Exodus, verses 1896, "a golden
belr' is mentioned as upon the hem o.
the robe of Aaron, in order that ali,
sound shall be heard when he goetf
into the holy place before the Lord
Bells are also mentioned in the l4tl
chapter OF Zechariah, verse 20, as being
upon horses and it is not improbable
that Tubal Cain, the sixth in descent
from Adam, ian instructor of every
arlificer in brass and iron," may have
known something Of the art Of making
them. The early historians inform u.
that the Greek warriors had small bell
concealed within their shields, aud whel
the captains went their rounds of thu
camp at night, each soldier was requir
ed to ring his bell in order to show tina
he was watehiul ut his post. Plutareh
also mentions that nets, with small belll
attached, were spread across the streau
to prevent the inhabitants Of Xauthui
from escaping by swimming the rivel
when the city was besieged.
Church bells originated 10 Italy, be
ing formed by degrees out Of the Gym
balls aud small tinkling bells used in tn,
religious ceremonies Of the East, as .
means Of honoring the gods. Pin,
states that bells were invented long be
fore his time. They we're called tintia
naJaia. Among Christians they wer,
first employed to call together religion
congregations, for which purpose run
ners had been employed before. Al
though first introduced iu the fourtl
century, it was not until the sixth cen
tury that they were suspended on tn,
roof Of the church in frame. Tn,
hours of the day were first ordered /,
be struck by Pope Sebastian in sos, I,
announce to the people the time 70
singing and praying.
In England large bells were first in
troduced in churches about the seventh
century, and it is supposed that the,
gave rise to that feature Of ecclesiasti
cal architecture known as the Bel
Tower.
Bells were often baptized and christ
ened with great pomp aud ceremony
and in the middle ages were much use,
as part Of the ceremonial Of the church
The Sanctus bell, which is small bel
still used by one Of the attendants o
the priests Of Roman Catholic Churchc
just before the elevation of the Host
was formerly a larger bell hung in th,
outer turret Of the church, at the sounc
Of which, all who heard bowed in ador
alton. The Ave Maria bell ANNOUNCED
the hour for offering supplication Il
the Virgin, and for beginning and ccas
ing labor. The Ycsper bell was th,
call to evening prayer. The Passin:
bell was SO named as being tolled wheI
any one was passing from life, and il
was ordered that all within hearing
should pray for the soul Of the dying.
From this custom is doubtless de
rived that Of tolling the church bells Al
funerals, and also that which is practic
ed in some localities Of tolling the bel
immediately after death, and indica
ting the age OF the deceased by th,
number OF the strokes.
The ringing Of the Curfew bell wa,
introduced into England from France
BY William the Conqueror. 1t wa,
called the eoarre tea Cover fre) bell
and when rung at eight or nine O'Clock
IN the evening it was expected that al
fire and light would be extinguished
1t is to be remembered that at that earl,
period houses were mostly built Of in
fammable materials, and the law Of Oh.
Conquoror, though arbitrary, was in
tended TO prevent CONGREGATIONS. The
e1' was eu'o'soa ioi iess 'naa MY
ye' RS out there are many localities II
tolls she tn aJie e v nsr,;ao A. Wy 0u'is"
Tn olden s;a,ss
believed ,b.. the r;n.;oo ~ halls ,s"nl :
'NS 'o,o ee'o "Vu'e