Minute.

When mankind had so far regulated the measure of Time, as to establish the partition of the Day into Hours, they endeavoured further to divide and subdivide the hours into periods of shorter duration, to meet all the uses and conveniences of common life, as well as to aid them in scientific researches: the hour was consequently portioned out into four points, each consisting of ten parts denominated Moments, these latter into twelve others called Uncias, and those Uncias into forty-seven Fractions called Atoms, making by such regulation, each Hour to contain 4 Points, 40 Moments, 480 Uncias, or the vast number of 22,560 Atoms, This mode was subsequently exploded, to make way for the division of the Hour into four Quarters answering to the four Points, each of which was made to contain fifteen Minutes instead of ten Moments, and of those Minutes into sixty

Moments,
Seconds, or
Instants,

which caused the hour to consist of 4 Quarters, 60 Minutes, or 3600 Moments, Seconds, or Instants, as at present in use; below which latter fractional subdivision it was not deemed requisite to descend and as it is the flight of Time only

that is intended to be distinguished, and as only one idea can possibly operate within so short a space, it would be inconsistent to attempt any further reduction.

The three different terms that have been given to the most minute fractional part of duration, however synonimous in their meaning, when applied to that express purpose, are not in ordinary usage considered as of the same signification. We generally understand an Instant to imply a more direct and immediate operation than a Second, while a Second is used in preference to a Moment, whenever celerity of execution is expected. It appears, therefore, more proper, though perhaps it may not be really so, to say, we shall perform any act in an instant, than that we shall do so in a second, which latter seems to denote that some small consideration must be allowed; while a moment has a yet further latitude conceded to it, probably from that term having formerly denoted a much more extended portion of Time than it now correctly signifies. Thus we have reflecting Moments, but never reflecting Seconds, or Instants Moments are commonly used in a figurative sense; Seconds only so applied occasionally; and Instants always made to convey their direct, positive, and literal definition. A prudent Man will pause a moment, before he undertakes any thing of importance, a less experienced person will not take a second, and a fool not an instant.

Circumcision.

(1ST JANUARY.)

This festival was instituted by the Church, in grateful commemoration of our LORD having on the eighth day of his nativity, first shed his sacred blood for the redemption of our fallen nature, when he received the name of JESUS, as foretold by the angel, ST. LUKE, c. i. v. 31, " And behold thou shalt conceive, &c. &c. and shalt call his name JESUS." See Name of Jesus.

By the prescript of the old law, Gen xvii. 12, it was strictly enjoined, that he who" is eight days old shall be circumcised, &c."; and this rite was annexed by the ALMIGHTY himself, as the seal to that covenant renewed with ABRAM, and to distinguish his descendants from the rest of mankind, so long since as the year of the world 2178, when ABRAM, whose name upon this occasion GOD changed to ABRAHAM, was himself circumcised at the age of ninety-nine, with all the males of his family.

The first instance of our SAVIOUR's submitting to the law, holds out the most powerful inducement for the pious observation of every divine ordinance. Born under that law, and while it was in force upon all the descendants of ABRAHAM,

nothing could be more conducive to forward the grand and inestimable blessing intended for the whole of the human race, than such condescending and conciliating attention and adherence to the rites of the Mosaic dispensation and we have to trace with awful wonder, and with the purest gratitude, the meek and passive acquiescence of our heavenly Redeemer, throughout the whole of his benign efforts for our eternal salvation.

Now that this rite has been abrogated, and, by the Holy Sacrament of Baptism, we are admitted upon less severe conditions into all the benefits of the Christian Church, it is our duty to bear in thankful remembrance the sufferings of our blessed LORD, and to endeavour, by a strict attention to his mild and amiable doctrine, to obtain the blessings which his merits and sufferings have afforded us the means of securing.

The first day of January having been observed by the HEATHENS as a day of extreme rejoicing, and for offering up prophane and superstitious sacrifices to their idol JANUS, the primitive CHRISTIANS held it as a fast, to avoid even the semblance of joining in their abominable customs. The first mention of this day as a festival among Christians, was during the Pontificate of FELIX the Third, A. D. 487, who denominated it the Octave of Christmas. Under its present title of "CIRCUMCISION," the festival is only to be traced from about the year 1090, and it was not gene