They mixed up the Christian faith with systems based on Platonism, Oriental Philosophy, or corrupt Judaism. St. John is believed to have written against the gnostics in certain parts of his Gospel. GOD, _see_ Trinity, The Holy. The word _God_ can be traced back no further as yet than the Gothic _Gutha_, but no one knows its root. GOD-FATHER, _see_ Sponsors. GOD-MOTHER, _see_ Sponsors. GOLDEN NUMBER. A term used in the elaborate tables placed at the beginning of the Prayer Book for the finding of Easter. The Golden Number of a year marks its place in a cycle, called the Metonic Cycle (from Meton, an Athenian astronomer B.C. 432), of nineteen years. The year A.D. 1 was fixed as the second year of such a cycle. Hence the rule given to find the Golden Number, viz., "Add one to the year of our Lord, and then divide by 19; the remainder, if any, is the Golden Number; but if there be no remainder, then 19 is the Golden Number." GOOD FRIDAY. The day regarded as the anniversary of our Saviour's death. It has been observed from the first age of the Church as a day of peculiar solemnity, to be spent in fasting and humiliation. GOSPEL, _see_ Bible. GOSPELLER. The priest or deacon who, in the Communion Service, reads the Gospel, standing at the north side of the Altar. (See _Epistoler_.) GRACE. Favour. A word used with various meanings in Holy Scripture. The influence of the Holy Spirit upon the heart of man. GRADUATE, _see_ Degree. One who has passed through the curriculum of a University, and has had a degree conferred on him. GREEK CHURCH, _see_ Church, The Catholic. GREGORIAN MUSIC, _see_ Church Music. GUILD. In the Church, a Society formed for a certain purpose, and governed by certain rules; to promote personal piety; or active usefulness. HADES. Unfortunately two distinct words in the original of the New Testament have both been translated _Hell_. _Hades_ is one of these words; _Gehenna_ is the other. The latter is applied only to the place of the damned, _Hades_ is the abode of departed spirits, good and bad, waiting for the final Judgment. When, in the Creed, we say of our Lord that He "descended into Hell," it should be "into _Hades_," showing that alive and dead He was perfect man. It is generally believed that a foretaste of final joy or woe is experienced in Hades by the spirits waiting for their doom. HEAVEN. The final abode of the blessed. HELL. The final abode of the damned. (See _Hades_.) HERESY. From a Greek word meaning "a choice," and thus an adoption and obstinate holding of a doctrine not taught by the Catholic Church. Heresies began very early in the Church, even in Apostolic times. (See _Gnostic_.) The heresies of the present day are for the most part revivals of the heresies of the first six centuries. HERETIC. One who holds doctrines opposed to those of the Catholic Church. (See above.) HETERODOX. Contrary to the faith of the true Church.