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Show K I Mine the Book. The custom of swearing on the Bible comes from the ancient Jews, who at first touched their phylacteries small cases containing strips of parchment Inscribed with tests from the Old Testament Testa-ment in taking oaths, and later laid their bands on the book of the law, and ail the various customs of taking oaths in different countries have a similar sim-ilar origin. The early Anglo-Saxons regarded stones as sacred to their gods, therefore laid their hands on a pillar of stone. In mediiBval times it was customary to touch a relic, and this was regarded as giving the oath more sacredness than when sworn upon the missal, or prayer book. Another custom of the same times was swearing by churches. A certain number were mentioned, and the attestor was obliged to go to each one, take the ring of the church door In his hand and repeat his oath. The custom of kissing the cross to attest at-test an oath has been observed in Russia Rus-sia from very early times, and has extended ex-tended into other countries. According Accord-ing to the laws of the Order of the Garter, in the time of Henry VIII, Knights Templar were required in taking tak-ing oath to touch the book and kiss the cross. Since the Reformation the taking tak-ing of oaths by kissing the Bible has not been permitted in Scotland. In other portions of Great Britain it is the common method. Detroit Free Press. |