op has his throne, or _cathedra_.

SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY. The Sunday which is, in round numbers,
_seventy days_ before Easter.

SEPTUAGINT. The Greek Version of the Old Testament which was in
general use in the time of our Lord. The word _Septuagint_ means
_seventy_, and this name was given this Version from the tradition
that it was the work of _seventy_ translators. According to the
common account, Ptolemy Philadelphus procured seventy-two learned
Jews (six from each tribe) to translate their sacred books into
the Greek language. The translators, it is said, were placed in
houses on the island of Pharos, at the mouth of the Nile, where
they completed their work in seventy-two days. The whole Greek
Version of the Hebrew Scriptures was completed before B.C. 130. The
Gospels quote from this version.

SEPTUM. The enclosure of the holy table, made by the altar rails.

SEPULCHRE or TOMB. A niche figuring our Lord's tomb, generally at
the north side of the altar, and used in the scenic representations
of our Saviour's burial and resurrection. Before the Reformation
these sacred plays were common on Good Friday and at Easter. Perhaps
the most beautiful Sepulchre now in England is in Lincoln Cathedral.

SEQUESTRATION. "The process by which the creditor of a clergyman of
the Church of England in possession of a living, sues out execution
on his judgment, and obtains payment of the debt." "The Bishop puts
in force the law, and appoints sequestrators to take possession of
the benefice and draw the emoluments, and pay them over to the
creditor, first making due provision for the proper celebration of
Divine Worship."

SERAPHIM, _see_ ANGELS.

SERMONS. Orations or discourses, delivered by the clergy of the
Christian Church in their religious assemblies. In the ancient
Church it was one of the chief offices of a Bishop to preach, and
it was only in the lesser churches of the city and country that
the office of preaching devolved upon presbyters. Deacons were
never allowed to preach, and they are only permitted to do so now
by special licence of the Bishop (see _Ordination Service_.) St.
Augustine has laid down excellent rules for the practice of
Christian eloquence. The subject is to be weighty, the style
answering to the subject. It was no part of the ancient oratory to
raise the affections of the congregation, either by gesticulations,
or the use of external shows. Scarcely any of their sermons would
last an hour, and man