EAST

(See also Bowing and Apostles’ Creed .) In the aspect of their churches, the ancient Christians reversed the order of the Jews, placing the altar on the east, so that in facing towards the altar in their devotions they were turned to the east. As the Jews began their day with the setting sun , so the followers of Christ began theirs with the rising sun . The eye of the Christian turned with peculiar interest to the east, whence the day-spring from on high had visited him. There the morning star of his hope fixed his admiring gaze. Thence arose the Sun of righteousne with all his heavenly influences. Thither, in prayer, his soul turned with kindling emotions to the altar of his God . And even in his grave, thither still he directed his slumbering eye, in quiet expectation of awakening to behold in the same direction the second appearing of his Lord , when he shall come in the clouds of heaven to gather his saints. In the ancient Church it was a ceremony almost of general use and practice, the turning the face to the east in their solemn adorations, which custom seems derived from the ceremonies of baptism, when it was usual to renounce the devil with the face to the west, and then turn to the east and make the covenant with Christ . Several reasons were given by the Fathers for this. First, As the east, the place of the day-spring from darkne , was the symbol of Christ , “the Sun of righteousne .” 2ndly, As it was the place of paradise, lost by the fall of the first Adam, and to be regained by the second Adam. 3rdly, That Christ made his appearance on earth in the east; there ascended into heaven; and thence will again come at the last day. And, 4thly, That the east, as the seat of light and brightne , was the most honourable part of the creation, and therefore peculiarly ascribed to God , the fountain of light, and illuminator of all things; as the west was ascribed to the devil, because he hides the light, and brings darkne on men to their destruction. When we repeat the creed, it is customary to turn towards the east, that so, whilst we are making profe ion of our faith in the ble ed Trinity, we may look towards that quarter of the heavens where God is supposed to have his peculiar residence of glory.— Wheatly. Turning towards the east is an ancient custom,—as indeed in most religions, men have directed their worship some particular way. And this practice being intended only to honour Christ , the Sun of righteousne , who hath risen upon us, to enlighten us with that doctrine of salvation to which we then declare our adherence, it ought not to be condemned as superstition.— Secker. Most churches are so contrived, that the greater part of the congregation faces the east. The Jews, in their dispersion throughout the world, when they prayed, turned their faces towards the mercy-seat and cherubim, where the ark stood. (2 Chron. vi. 36–38.) Daniel was found praying towards Jerusalem, (Dan. vi. 10,) because of the situation of the temple. And this has always been esteemed a very becoming way of expre ing our belief in God.— Collis.