"As our Lord himself, so his Gospel also, is called Light, and was therefore anciently never read without a burning taper, '_etiam Sole rutilante_' ('tis Saint Hierome's testimony), though it were lighted in the sun.... The careful Church, perceiving that God was so much taken with this outward symbol of the Light, could do no less than go on with the ceremony. Therefore, the day of Our Lord's nativity was to be called [Greek: epiphania], or, appearing of the Light; and so many tapers were to be set up the night before, as might give name to the vigil, '_Vigilia Luminum_'. And the ancients did well to send lights one to another, whatsoever some think of the Christmas candle. The receiving of this Light in Baptism, though called not usually so, but [Greek: photismos], Illumination, which further to betoken the rites, were to celebrate this sacrament [Greek: haptomenon panton ton keron], etc., with all the tapers lighted, etc., as the order in the Euchologus. The Neophytus, also, or new convert, received a Taper lighted and delivered by the Mystagogus, which for the space of seven days after, he was to hold in his hand at Divine service, sitting in the Baptistery. "Who perceiveth not that by this right way the Tapers came into the Church, mysteriously placed with the Gospel upon the altar as an emblem of the Truer Light?... "The Funeral Tapers (however thought of by some) are of the same harmless import. Their meaning is, to show that the departed souls are not quite put out, but having walked here as the Children of the Light, are now going to walk before God in the Light of the Living. The sun never rose to the ancients, no, not so much as a candle was lighted, but of this signification. '_Vincamus_' was their word, whensoever the Lights came in; [Greek: phos gar ten Niken], etc., for Light (saith Phavorinus) betokeneth victory. It was to show what trust they put in the Light, in whom we are more than conquerors. Our meaning is the same when, at the bringing in of a candle, we use to put ourselves in mind of the Light of Heaven: which those who list to call superstition do but 'darken counsel by words without knowledge.' _Job_ xxxviii. 2."--Gregorie's _Works_, 4th ed. p. 110. Lond. 1684. I believe it is a fact, that in some churches (I hope not many) lamps or candles are placed on the altar _unlighted_ during divine service. Now I would not quarrel with persons who have objections to altar lights, &c., but I have no patience with that worse than superstition which would place _unlighted_ candles on the altar,--if they symbolize any thing, it is damnation, excommunication, misery, and dark woe.