CHAPTER XXVI.
OF PURGATORY.
"The Romish doctrine concerning Purgatory, Pardons, Worshipping and Adoration, as well of Images as of Reliques, and also invocation of Saints, is a fond thing vainly invented, and grounded upon no warranty of Scripture, but rather repugnant to the Word of God."—Article XXII.
PURGATORY.
The Nestorian rituals make no mention of Purgatory, nor have they a name for it. The Chaldeans who are in communion with the Church of Rome call it ܢܘܼܪܐ ܡܕܟܝܢܝܬܸ the purifying fire, but more commonly, by the Arabic title of مطهر Matthar, purgatory.
The following extracts, however, whilst they are repugnant to the doctrine of Purgatory, clearly teach the efficacy of prayers and alms-giving for the dead.
"The service of the third day of the dead [i. e., the third day after the burial of any member of the Church] is kept up, because Christ rose on the third day, and is celebrated by the recital of psalms and prayers. On the ninth day also there should be a commemoration of the living and the dead, and again on the thirtieth day, after the example of the Old Testament, since the people mourned for Moses that length of time. A year after, also, there should be a particular commemoration of the dead, and some of the property of the deceased should be given to the poor in remembrance of him. We say this of believers, for as to unbelievers, should all the wealth of the world be given to the poor in their behalf, it would profit them nothing; for he who was an enemy of God during his life, it is clear that he will continue to be an enemy after his
