The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-08-09
Tho Meaning OF nm Historic symbol.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir: It Is DIFF
flcult to understand why the true meaning OF
the letters ]. H. s. Is not known moro genor
ally. The device Is one OF the simp lest Ia
Christian symbolism. 1t means. Jesus Homi-
mum Salvador. i. e.. Jesus. the Saviour OF Man
kind. 1t comes from Italy. tho motherland OF
religious inventions In the olden time. The
credit OF tho ingenious continuance belongs to
young Tuscan nobleman. named Albizeschi.
who was born in Massa. town OF the Repub-
lie OF Sienna.
Young Aiblzeschi. having entered the minis
try. attained brilliant distinction in pulpit elo-
quence. becoming one of the most efficient
preachers OF his age and nation. The Italian
peninsula was in those days. 13S0-1444. rent
asunder by politico-religous strife. The
Guephs and Ghiballnes were in their hottest
fever of internecine conflict In the rnncor Of
party violence coarse language soon led to an
epidemic OF profane imprecation. Wanton
misuse OF sacred appellations found its zenith
in the sacriegious invocation OF that name at
which every knee shall bend in heaven.
on earth. and in the depths beneath.
To this bane OF blasphcmous profanity
the bril- liant preacher opposed the anti
Nazarene. His august name. and hallowed
ransom Of our race. Suitng the action to the
word fro res - he sSe o%
hlematic legend |. II. - in richly embossed
letters. visible to the largest congregation. In
raise aloft this lustrous symbol. epltomizine
in its triple initials tho most stupendous mys:
terry OF the Triune Deityrthe Redemption. OF
ncous on the imaginative people of sunny
Italy, whose Indignation against proiane
s suit in t Is Of the vsar n
aroused in eartious interierenoe; Albizesehi
ton, idolatry. Tho question was taken before
the last tribunal of appeal at Rome. and de-
bated with historic earn sstne,ss BY Commis.
ontcome Is best deserted by the sequence
Of favors bestowed upon the ;apostG; lie
enGearns symbol l'SeI The latter is Simply
ubiquitous In tho liturgy. In sacerdotal APP
utensil, or manual OF devotion. The preacher
was advanced to positions OF trust. and was
With" wHs T Sienna 9sd a to t4n the fsf
hnnored in the cnlendar Of the Church Oh the
10Th of May al s. Bernardine Of Sienna.
ligious attractions for the antiquarian tourist
than the beautiful and quaint Sonn Yet 1t Is
circular tablet OF its distinguished citizen.
which has since supplied the ,'Tr-uits with
the original device of the /. S. was shown
Of the trple basilica OF Assist, in Tmbria.
Among III" com non people. ignorant Of the
Latin. tho acceptation. l Have suffered. has
long been in extensive use But it is quite
unauthorized and wholly inaccurate, The ref,
erence to the Greek is likewise arbitrary It
can only DO explained ms an 4nnrhronism
based upon misconception OF tho primitive
signal or password OF tho early prosecuted
Christians in Jerusalem and at Rome.
In our Saviour. day as Lntin was the legal
and Hebrew tho literary tongue. 50 Crack was
the language Of commerce Throughout syria
AMI Palestine. The Christians ntopted the
Greek word for nsh rs symbol Of he Master
tn" letters forming an emblematir ncrostic:
used In sundry rotations Of life, and carved
distinction of the pagan world Butthc famil-
lar device Of the days OF the catncombs has no
bearing whatever upon that Of the ilf6eenth
century. HuGH FLAiTERr.
New YORK. July %. 1892.