is derived from the Latin word sacramentum, which signifies an oath, particularly the oath taken by soldiers to be true to their country and their general. The words of this oath, according to Polybius, were obtemperaturus sum et facturus quicquid mandabatur ab imperatoribus juxta vires. The word was adopted by the writers of the Latin Church, and employed to denote those ordinances of religion by which Christians came under an obligation, equally sacred with that of an oath, to observe their part of the covenant of grace, and in which they had the assurance of Christ that he would fulfill his part of the same covenant.

Of sacraments, in this sense of the word, Protestant churches admit but of two; and it is not easy to conceive how a greater number can be made out from Scripture, if the definition of a sacrament be just which is given by the Church of England. By that church the meaning of the word sacrament is declared to be "an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace given unto us, ordained by Christ himself as a means whereby we receive the same, and a pledge to assure us thereof." According to this definition, baptism and the Lord's Supper are certainly sacraments; for each consists of an outward and visible sign of what is believed to be an inward and spiritual grace; both were ordained by Christ himself; and by the reception of each does the Christian come under a solemn obligation to be true to his Divine master, according to the terms of the covenant of grace. The Roman Catholics, however, add to this number confirmation, penance, extreme unction, ordination, and marriage; in all, seven sacraments. They call the eucharist, by way of eminence, the Holy Sacrament. Thus to expose the holy sacrament, is to lay the consecrated host on the altar to be adored. The procession of the holy sacrament is that in which this host is carried about the church, or about a town.

Sacramento, a river of the United States of North America, in California, rises in a chain of mountains connecting the Sierra Nevada with the coast range, and flows generally southwards, uniting with the San Joaquin from the south, at the head of Suisoon Bay, through which their united waters are discharged into the Pacific. Its whole length is about 370 miles, for 200 of which it is navigable. It abounds in fish, the catching of which is here an important branch of industry. The valley watered by the Sacramento is one of the most beautiful and fertile portions of California.

Sacramento City, the capital of the state of California, on the left bank of the river of the same name, about 150 miles above San Francisco. It owes its origin entirely to the gold discovered here, and was founded in 1849, since which time it has risen to be a large and flourishing town. It is regularly laid out; the streets cross each other at right angles, and are distinguished by numbers and the letters of the alphabet. Many of them are lined with large oak and sycamore trees, which have a very fine effect. Until recently it was very liable to inundations, but the river has been confined to its channel by embankments. The houses, which were formerly of wood, often suffered from fire; but they are now built of more substantial materials. In and about the town are many very beautiful gardens. Among the most conspicuous buildings are numerous churches, hotels, steam-mills, and manufactories. The commercial importance of Sacramento is very great, it being the chief emporium for supplying provisions to the gold regions. Steamers ply regularly between this and San Francisco. Pop. estimated at 20,000.