There is nothing, therefore, in any of the passages of Scripture in which this term occurs, nor in the geo- graphical notices in other passages, nor is there any- thing in the old geographers or historians tending to identify Ndchal Mitzrdyim with the Nile. This ap- pears more clearly when the proper distinction is drawn between the country given in covenant promise to Abra- ham, and that actually allotted to the Israelites (Bo- chart, Opera, i, 62).
It may be inferred that the first term, Nehdr 3fitz- rdylm, ought to be translated "the river of Egypt;" and that it was the designation of the Nile in Al)ra- ham's time, before the Egyptian word yeur became known. The other term, Ndchal Mitzrdyim, might be rendered " torrent, or wady, of Egypt." It was applied to Wady el-Arish, which acquired its importance and notoriety from the fact of its marking the boundary be- tween Palestine and Egypt. — Kitto. See Egypt, Bkook. of.
River Brethren, a sect deriving their origin from
the Mennonites. A revival of religion occurred during the Revolutionary war in Lancaster Co., Pa., and a number of (iermans being converted, some of them as- sociated with United Brethren, and others were organ- ized into a body called the Hirer Brethren. The name is applied to them partly from the locality in which they were first found — near the Susquehanna and ('onestoga — and chiefly fmm their baptizing only in rivers. They now extend into Ohio, Canada, and elsewhere. They recognise three orders of clergy — bishops, elders, and deacons. Their preachers — generally uneducated men, engaged in secidar pursuits during the week, and receiving no salary for services — are chosen by votes, and in case of a tie they have recourse to the lot. Their services are generally in the (4crman language, and held in private houses. This denomination reject infant bap- tism, and baptize adults by trine immersion. They hold to feet-washing, baptism, the Lord's supper, and com- munion (love -feast), and wear their beards unshorn. They have never published a confession of faith. They are opposed to war, and cannot therefore serve in the army. — Gardner, Faiths o/ the World, s.y. ; Porter, /land- book of Religions, s. v.
Rivet, Andre, a celebrated French Protestant the- ologian, was born at Saint -INIaxent, Aug. 5, 1573. He studied theology at the Academy of Orthez under Lam- bert Daneau, and afterwards at La Rochelle under Ro- tan. He was ordained in 1595, and went to Thouars as chaplain to the duke de la Tremoille. After the death of his patron he remained in Thouars, and his reputation as a preacher and theologian steadily increased. In 1620 he was called to the chair of theology in the Uni- versity of Leyden. He married, in 1621, the sister of the celebrated Pierre du Moulin, and while in England received a fellowship at Oxford. The Synod of Castres endeavored to persuade Rivet to return to France and devote his talents to the work of building up the Prot- estant Church in his native country, but nothing could induce him to leave Holland. He received from prince Frederick Henry a most distinguished mark of esteem, being chosen tutor and adviser for the young prince William. In 1632 he left Leyden to become director of the College of Orange, at Breda. Here he remained till his death, which occurred Jan. 7, 1651. Rivet was a firm Calvinist, and always ready to combat any of the foes of orthodox}'. He left a great number of works, a complete list of which may be found in La France Pvotestante. Among the most important are. Comment, in Hoseam (Leyden, 1625, 4to) : — Catholiciis Orthodoxits, etc. (ibid. 1630, 2 vols. 8vo) : — Isar/Ofje, sen Introductio Generalis ad Scripturam Sacirim (ibid. 1627, 4to) : — Theoloyicce et Scholasticce Exercitationes in Genesim (ibid. 1633, 4to) •.—Commentarii in Lihrum Secundum Mosis (ibid. 1634, 4to). The-theological works of Rivet have been published in three volumes (Oy)e?-« Theologica [Rotterdam, 1651-60, fol.]).— Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Ge- nerale, s. v.
Rivet (de la Grakoe), Antoine, a learned French Benedictine, was born at Confolens in 1683. He opposed the bull Uniyenitus uttered by Clement XI, for which he was punished by confinement in the monastery at IMans. His death occurred in 1749. He projected a great work entitled The Literary History of France, of which he composed nine volumes (1733-50), and which was continued by Clemcncet and others.
Rivet (de Ciiampveknon), Guillaume, brother of Andre, was born at Saint-i\lax<MU, iSIay 2, 1580. He was ordained in 1601, and was pastor of the church at Saillebourg. He was member of various synods, and assisted at the political assembly of Saumur. He dicil in 1651. Rivet was a man of great prudence; and though his learning was not so extensive as that of his brother, his mind was fully as clear and forcible. Of his writings we mention, Libertatis Ecclesiastics De- fensio ((ieneva, 1625, 8vo) -.—TJe la Defense des Droits de Uieu (Saumur, 1634, 8vo) •.— Vindicia Evangelical de
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Ju-ttificatime (Arast. 1C48, 4to). These works are very rarefy to be found. — lloefer, Xouv. Biog. Generale, s. v.
Riza, i. e. strife, in Roman mythology, is the same as tlie (Jreek Kris, the goddess of discord.