from all other ordinances, because they are, what the
others are not, necessary for salvation to all men, wherever they
can be had. Other ordinances may confer grace, but Baptism and the
Eucharist alone unite with Christ Himself. Thus we may say that in
the strict definition of the word there are only two sacraments.
Baptism and the Supper of the Lord. The Roman Catholic Church
teaches that there are _seven_ sacraments, but this can hardly
be borne out; for if the word be taken in the larger sense as
meaning any religious ordinance, then there are more than seven,
but if in a limited sense, there are only two. For the Roman view
of sacraments see Article xxv. The Church Catechism defines a
sacrament in the strict sense as follows:--It is "an outward and
visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace given unto us,
ordained by Christ Himself as a means whereby we receive the same,
and a pledge to assure us thereof."

SACRIFICE. An offering made to God. In strictness of speech there
has been but one great sacrifice--once offered, and never to be
repeated--the sacrifice of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. He
suffered "death upon the Cross for our redemption; Who made there
(by His one oblation of Himself once offered) a full, perfect, and
sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction for the sins of
the whole world." But, figuratively speaking, all Divine worship
was anciently called a _sacrifice_, a sacrifice of praise and
thanksgiving; but more especially this term has been applied to
the Eucharist. Justin Martyr and Irenaeus, both Fathers of the
2nd century, speak of the Eucharist as a sacrifice. Tertullian,
of the 3rd century, does the same. (See _Altar_, and _Communion,
The Holy_.)

SACRILEGE. The desecration of objects sacred to God. Thus the
robbing of churches or of graves, the abuse of sacred vessels
and jars, by employing them for unhallowed purposes, the plundering
and misappropriation of alms and donations, &c., are acts of
sacrilege which, in the ancient Church, were punished very severely.

SACRISTAN. The person to whose charge the sacred vestments, &c., in
a Church are committed. The word is now corrupted to _sexton_ (which
see.)

SACRISTY. The place in which sacred vestments, &c., are kept,
answering to the modern vestry.

SAINT. _Holy_. The Apostles in their Epistles use this word
simply for baptized believers, that is, for all Christians. (See
_Communion of Saints_.)

SAINTS' DAYS. The Chur