The use of "thirdly" may indicate that the minister was interrupted very early in his sermon or towards the end. Eighteenth-century Anglican sermons tended to note the three main points very early, in ms usually as "I," I"I," "III." The minister might say, for instance, "I propose to . . ." sand then follow with one sentence summaries of each point. Later in the sermon, when he reached that point, the Roman numerals inidcating first, second, and third generally show up again. James Blair, Robert Paxton, and James Maury all followed this practice. So too did Archbishop John Tillotson, whose published discourses were the source of many sermons published by Church of England ministers in Virginia. Edward Bond Assistant Professor of History Alabama A&M University >===== Original Message From Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history <[log in to unmask]> ===== >During a Civil War engagement "...a minister was stopped [during >his sermon] at 'thirdly' by the colonel forming the line of battle." > >What does 'thirdly' mean in this context? > >Thanks. > >Rob Hewitt > >To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions >at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html