Water, pagans believed it contained divine power to cleanse the soul, 72, 73; power to inspire, 74; river, especially sacred, 91; changes to wine on Easter and Christmas at midnight, 99; “holy,” if drawn at sacred seasons, 99; “holy,” cures evils and averts danger, 104; “sacred,” prevents physical disease, 105; superstitious value of, from mill-wheel, 106; endued with divine power at creation, 129; produces life by divine power, 131; “holy,” borrowed directly from paganism, 140; used at doors of heathen temples, 140, 142; use of, by Christians condemned, 143; use of, defended by Cardinal Wiseman, 146, 147; “baptismal,” prepared according to pagan formula, 152; sanctified by the sign of the cross, 251; at first used as a “charm,” 252. Water-worship, the pagan, corrupted Christianity fundamentally, 71; of Oriental origin, 72; prominent among serpent worshippers, 85; a special feature in Egyptian religion, 86; associated with Osiris worship, 87; superstitions connected with, in time of drouth, 106 _f_; universal in Northern Europe, 109; coupled with sun-worship among the Greeks, 112; summary of its influence on Christian baptism, 153-155. Wells, “sacred,” described by Sir Monier-Williams, 89. Westropp and Wake on gnosticism in Christianity, 27. Wilkins, W. J., describes water-worship festival of “Dasahara,” 94. Williams, Sir Monier-, on water-worship in India, 88; on baptism in Thibet and Mongolia, 93; on Buddhistic baptism, 94. Wiseman, Cardinal, value of his testimony, 10; defends the introduction of paganism in early Christianity, 10; on retention of paganism in English Church, 10; defends the use of “holy water,” 146, 147. X Xerxes describes water- and sun-worship at the “Hellespont,” 76. * * * * * IMPORTANT RELIGIOUS WORKS. =Gospel-Criticism and Historical Christianity.= A study of the Gospels and of the History of the Gospel Canon during the Second Century; together with a consideration of the results of Modern Criticism. By Orello Cone, D. D. 8vo, cloth, gilt top $1 75 “The book is rich in material and is a good example of the proper study of Gospel literature.”--_Public Opinion_, Washington, D. C. =The Religion of Humanity.= By O. B. Frothingham. 4th edition, 12mo, pp. 338 $1 50 “A profoundly sincere book, the work of one who has read largely, studied thoroughly, reflected patiently.”--_Boston Globe._ =Stories from the Lips of the Teacher.= By O. B. Frothingham. Retold by a Disciple. Sixth edition, 16mo, pp. 193 $1 00 “It is in style and thought a superior book, that will interest young and old.”--_Zion Herald_ (Methodist). =Stories of the Patriarchs.= By O. B. Frothingham. Third edition, 16mo, pp. 232 $1 00 “The sublimest lessons of manhood in the simple language of a child.”--_Springfield Republican._