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A picture representing or symbolizing the early infancy of Christ. The simplest form is the babe in a rude cradle, and the heads of an ox and an ass to express the stable in which he was born.

A native or inhabitant of Nazareth; -- a term of contempt applied to Christ and the early Christians.

gative argument; a negative morality; negative criticism. There in another way of denying Christ, ... which is negative, when we do not acknowledge and confess him. South.

A new convert or proselyte; -- a name given by the early Christians, and still given by the Roman Catholics, to such as have recently embraced the Christian faith, and been admitted to baptism, esp. to converts from heathenism or Judaism.

for maintaining that the divine and the human natures were not merged into one nature in Christ (who was God in man), and, hence, that it was improper to call Mary the mother of Christ; also, one of the sect established by the followers of Nestorius in Persia, india, and other Oriental countries, and still in existenc…

The doctrines of the nestorian Christians, or of Nestorius.

Any form of belief in mental healing other than (1) Christian Science and (2) hypnotism or psychotherapy. Its central principle is affirmative thought, or suggestion, employed with the conviction that man produces changes in his health, his finances, and his life by the adoption of a favorable mental attitude. AS a the…

sia Minor, or to the ecumenial council held there A. D. 325. Nicene Creed (, a summary of Christian faith, composed and adopted by the Council of Nice, against Arianism, A. D. 325, altered and confirmed by the Council of Constantinople, A. D. 381, and by subsequent councils.

; closely allied; intimate. "Nigh kinsmen." Knolles. Ye ... are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Eph. ii. 13.

cclesiastical year, formerly answering nearly to the month of April, now to March, of the Christian calendar. See Abib.

r; to nuzzle. [Obs.] If any man use the Scripture . . . to nosel thee in anything save in Christ, he is a false prophet. Tyndale.

h to displease any wight, Notwithstanding our great right. Chaucer's Dream. Those on whom Christ bestowed miraculous cures were so transported that their gratitude made them, notwithstanding his prohibition, proclaim the wonders he had done. Dr. H. More.

One newly received into the church, or one newly converted to the Christian faith. 1 Tim. iii. 6.

Christmas; also, a shout of joy at Christmas for the birth of the Savior. [Obs.]

lace where anything is fostered and growth promoted. "Fair Padua, nursery of arts." Shak. Christian families are the nurseries of the church on earth, as she is the nursery of the church in heaven. J. M. Mason.

Western Christians of the Latin rite. See Orientals. Shipley.

personally seeing or having seen; as, ocular proof. Shak. Thomas was an ocular witness of Christ's death. South.

: (Ch. of Eng.) Personal tithes payable according to custom, either at certain seasons as Christmas or Easter, or on certain occasions as marriages or christenings. [None] to the offering before her should go. Chaucer. Burnt offering, Drink offering, etc. See under Burnt. etc.

To invest with ministerial or sacerdotal functions; to introduce into the office of the Christian ministry, by the laying on of hands, or other forms; to set apart by the ceremony of ordination. Meletius was ordained by Arian bishops. Bp. Stillingfleet.

An ecclesiastical grade or rank, as of deacon, priest, or bishop; the office of the Christian ministry; -- often used in the plural; as, to take orders, or to take holy orders, that is, to enter some grade of the ministry.