Page:Notices by the Rev. T. Surridge ...of Roman inscriptions discovered at High Rochester, Risingham and Rudchester, in Northumberland ... (IA noticesbyrevtsur00surr).pdf/51

 prove military occupation even in the life-time of the first Cæsar. It is now evident that he did more than (the historian of Agricola admits) "shew the way to the future conquest of Britain," and Rapin's assertion that "for upwards of ninety years subsequent to Cæsar's 2nd invasion the Britons were free," falls to the ground.

But the correction of profane history is not all that may be obtained from these Roman remains. They may assist us, too, in church history, and account for the origin of some practices, still observed, though not authorized, in our reformed Church of England practices, which, though intrinsically of little moment, become important when familiarity and habit make them instruments for the reintroduction of others more exceptionable, and which now become the objects of mediæval restorations. Mediæval restorations are redolent of mediæval errors, and mediæval errors of ancient Roman idolatry. We must avoid the one, if we would eschew the other.

The Spartans, in order to guard their children against drunkenness, exposed to them slaves whom they had previously deprived of reason by intoxication, we may derive a Spartan lesson from Archæological explorations. The exposure of Pagan idolatry may deter us from its imitation in our own worship of the God of Truth; or its spurious adoption under the titles of Mariolatry and Saint Worship, to which the Puseyite section which has sprung up in our beloved reformed church, wishes and is strenuously endeavouring to lead the way. The worship of the Druid was displaced by the sword of Cæsar and in its stead the early idolatry of the Roman conquerors, was established in Northumberland fifty-five years before the christian era. It gave place to Mariolatry and Saint Worship, established in the year of Christ 741 by a synod of Bishops at Alnwick. What encouragement to synodical action and its restoration!

This brings me to make some remarks on an unauthorized custom which some adopt in Church of England worship, I mean the custom of especially turning to the east. It decidedly has had its origin in solar worship, which anciently was universal throughout the countries of the east; and turning to the east is a remnant of that worship, still observed in the Mahomedan and Romish churches without any assignable reason.