Night-Watch (Lych-wake, death-watch, or vigil). It was the custom for the faithful to observe nightwatches for the departed until the funeral, and make intercession for their souls; but in 1343 this practice was forbidden in England-as it had degenerated into an occasion for assignations, thefts, revels, and buffooneries. In private houses under pain of excommunication, the relations of the dead and those who said psalters alone excepted. In. 1363 these wakes were kept in churches under the close supervision of the parish clergy. The wake still lingers in Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. SEE WAKES.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More