. It was also called Baala (Joshua.) The ark of the covenant, after its recovery from the Philistines, stood for some time in this city (1 Sam. vii.)a Saxon term, signifying the same with church.

Kirk-Seffons, the name of a petty ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Scotland. Each parish, according to its extent, is divided into several particular districts; every one of which has its own elder and deacon to oversee it. A consistory of the ministers, elders, and deacons of a parish, forms a kirk-seffon.—The meet once a-week, the minister being their moderator, but without a negative voice. It regulates matters relating to public worship, catechising, visitations, &c. It judges in lesser matters of scandal; but greater, as adultery, are left to the presbytery; and in all cases an appeal lies from it to the presbytery. Kirk-seffons have likewise the care of the poor and poor's funds.