Epiplexis

[Gr.] ( Rhet.) A figure of speech seeking to convince the hearer by gentle reproach. cian Illyria by the Ceraunian Mountains, and by the famous river Pindus (q.v.) from The aly. The river Achilon, also famous in mythological story, flowed through the limits of this prov. Here were also the celebrated temple and sacred grove of Dodona. Pyrrhus, king of Macedon, was a native of E. , which country pa ed succe ively into the hands of the Romans, and the Turks. E. by the Convention with Turkey, of May 24, 1881, was ceded to Greece. Episcenium, (ep-i-se'ně-um,) n. [Gr. episkemion.] ( Arch .) Among the ancients, the upper order of the scene in a theatre. See PROSCENIUM. Episcopacy, (e - pis'ko-pa-se,) n. [Gr. episkopos , a bishop or overseer.] ( Eccl .) That form of church-government in which one order of the clergy is superior to another; as bishops to priests and deacons. Much discu ion has taken place on the subject of episcopacy. Nothing conclusive can be gathered concerning it in the New Testament; but there can be no doubt that it existed universally in the Church from the earliest historic ages down to the time of the Reformation, and it is inferred, as no change can be shown to have taken place, that the same constitution existed from the time of the Apostles. Presbyterians and Independents argue, on the other hand, that, as there is nothing definite concerning it in Scripture, Christians are left a discretionary power of modelling the government of their church in such a manner as may seem to them most meet; and that every Christian society has a right to make laws for itself, provided these laws are consistent with charity and peace, and with the fundamental doctrines and principles of Christianity. "It cannot be proved," says Dr. Paley, "that any form of church government was laid down in the Christian, as it has been in the Jewish Scriptures, with a view of fixing a constitution for succeeding ages, and which constitution, consequently, the disciples of Christianity would everywhere and at all times, by the very law of their religion, be obliged to adopt. Certainly no command of this kind was delivered by Christ himself; and if it be shown that the Apostles ordained bishops and presbyters among their first converts, it must be remembered that deacons also, and deacone es, were appointed by them with functions very di imilar to any which obtain in the Church at present. The truth seems to have been that such offices were at first erected in the Christian Church as the good order, the instruction, and the exigencies of the society at that time required, without any intention, at least without any declared design, of regulating the appointment, authority, or the distinction of Christian ministers under future circumstances." The power vested in the bishops or higher clergy differs very much among the different episcopal bodies. The Roman Catholic and the Greek churches, as also the Church of England, are episcopalian. Episcopal, a. [L. Lat. episcopal is .] Belonging to, or vested in, bishops or prelates; as, episcopal authority.Governed by bishops; as, an Episcopal Church. See PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.