the Cross as that by which alone we are to be
"exalted unto everlasting life." Whenever we {19} lift up our eyes to
it, it ought to repeat for us that lesson--rebuke downward thoughts and
desires, and point up to spiritual and heavenly things.

In the tower are the bells, and what the spire with its uplifted Cross
says to us in silent eloquence these say in sound and music.

The office of the bell in calling to prayer and holy worship was
regarded in olden time with much reverence. The use of bells for the
purpose of gathering people together in large numbers appears to be of
Christian origin. "Large bells hung in a tower seem to have been
unknown before A.D. 500. They were first made in Campania in Italy,
whence the Italian name _campana_, a bell, and _campanile_, a
bell-tower. Bells were anciently supposed to have considerable powers,
especially against evil spirits. Their use for religious purposes
probably originated this belief. The hand-bells of the British
apostles, St. Patrick, St. Columba, St. David, etc., are said to have
been long preserved, if not existing even now. They are four-sided
bronze bells, sometimes of several plates fused into one. St. Patrick
is said by an old legend to have dispersed a host of demons, who were
too bold to be scared by the mere ringing of the bell, by flinging it
into the midst of them.

"Bells in the middle ages were sometimes {20} dedicated to saints.
They were christened with all the usual ceremonies and with much pomp;
sponsors were provided, the bell was sprinkled at the font, anointed
with oil, and robed in a chrisom. Superstitious as these customs would
seem now, there is something fine in the simple faith which thus, in
those more poetic days, consecrated to God's service the voices which
should proclaim Him far and wide over the land." In simpler form, the
custom is still frequently observed of setting apart by solemn prayer
and benediction the bells which are to call men to prayer or to ring
out the praises of God.

Church bells are frequently marked by appropriate inscriptions. The
following, for instance, was very common in the middle ages, all these
powers being attributed to bells:

"Funera plango, Fulgura trango, Sabbata pango,
Excito lentos, Dissipo ventos, Paco cruentos."

"I mourn the dead, I break the lightning, I announce the Sabbath,
I excite the slothful, I disperse the winds, I appease the cruel."

As instances of modern inscr