d in the
merit of saints. Their clergy does not claim the power to forgive sins.
They accept the creed of the apostles and it is recited by the clergy
and by religious men. Many days of fasting are observed, as fifty days
before Easter, twenty-five days before Christmas, and others. On these
days old people take no food until noon. In times of persecution their
schools and books were destroyed and the people became ignorant.
Catholics introduced among them their literature which changed
prevailing doctrines.

THEIR CHURCHES.

Many of their churches are built of stone while others are made of
brick and clay. Some of the buildings are 1300 years old and will stand
many years to come. The walls are about eight feet thick at the base
gradually tapering toward the top. In the older churches the doors are
quite low and it is necessary for a man to stoop in entering. It is
believed by some that the doors were built in this way that the church
might be used as a place of refuge, rolling stones in the doorway after
entering. Others say the object was to prevent horses, cattle and other
animals from entering. These churches are regarded as most sacred
places and are called houses of God. There is an interior stairway
leading to the roof, which is necessary for repairing the roof or
shoveling off snow. The yard in front of a church is shaded with
elm-trees; the yard is used as a graveyard. Extending from each corner
of the roof is a pair of horns from a wild goat, which is a sign of
sacrifice. There is a small room in the rear of the building which is
called the most holy place. In this room the priests carry on certain
ceremonies and no other people are allowed to enter it at any time.
Before this room is a small pulpit on which are placed a cross, Bible,
and other ceremonial books. The only windows are a few small openings
just below the room. Candles are burned during hours of service to
light the room, and incense is burned as a ceremonial and to produce a
pleasing odor. There are no pictures on the walls but there are some
decorations in the way of finely embroidered silk towels brought by
some of the worshipers. Reading Scripture and prayer-book, and chanting
Psalms are the main features of worship. There is no music except a
number of small bells on the walls which the worshipers ring as they
enter the building. The audience sits on the floor or stands through
the service.

Assyrians believe the two chief ordinances a