Seager, Micah, a minister of the Methodist Epis- copal Cliurch, was born in Simsbury, Conn., in July, 1800, and was converted in 1816. In 1818 he was re- ceiveil on trial by the Genesee Conference, in which he ])erformed more than thirtj' years of active service. He was superannuated in 1854, and held that relation until his death, i\Iay 26, 1872. See Minutes of Annual Con- ferences, 1872, p. 115.
Seager, Schuyler, D.D., a minister and educator of the ^lethodist Episcopal Clnirch, was born in Sims- bury, Conn., July 26, 1)S07. He graduated from the Wesleyan University, Middletown, in 1836, and took his degree of M.A. in 1839. After his graduation he became principal of the (ienesee Wesleyan Seminary, N. Y., and held that position until 1844. He was em- ployed in the pastorate from 1844 to 1853, and spent the next six years as principal of (Jenesee Wesleyan Semi- nary and Uansville Academy. He then returned to the pastoral work, in which he contimied initil his death. Among the churches he served were the First Church and Asbury, Rochester; Pearl Street and (irace, Buffalo; Lockport, and Batavia. He was a delegate to the gen- eral conferences of 1844 and 1848. At the time of his death he was a member of the Western New York Con- ference. See Minnies of Ann. Conferences, 1875, p. 158.
Seah (nXD, sfuh, from the obsolete HXO, sadh, to expand), a Hebrew measure, properly for grain (A.V. always "measure;" Gen. xviii, 6; 1 Sam. xxv, 18; 1 Kings xviii, 32; 2 Kings vii, I, 16, 18); containing, according to the rabbins, the third of an ephah, i. e. nearly one and a half pecks English ; according to Je- rome {On Matt, xiii, 33), a modius and a half. From the Aramaean form lias sprung the at'irov of the Sept., New Test., and Joseph us. See M ethology.
Seal (Cjnn, chothdm, aippayic). The seal, together with the staff, has been in the East from the earliest limes (Gen. xxxviii, 18) the favorite trinket of the men (see Cant, viii, 6; Hag. ii, 23; Jer. xxii, 24; Sir. xvii, 22; comp. Rosenmiiller, Mort/enl. vi, 252). Both are included in the attire of the Babylonians (Herod, i, 195; Strabo, xvi, 746). It was attached, as still in Persia, by a cord, and worn upon the bosom or in a tinger-ring on the right hand (Gen. xli, 42; Esth. iii, 10, 8; viii, 2; Jer. xxii, 24 ; comp. Chardin, iv, 23 ; v, 454 sq. ; Robin- son, i, 58, and see especially Longus, De A nnul. Sign. [Mail. 1615; Lips. 1709]). The art of graving seals is an ancient one (Exod. xxviii, 11). The seal usually contains no figures (yet see the drawing of one found at Cusa, in Ker Porter, Truv. i, 425, pi. Ixxx, 2), but simply
8 9
Ancient Seals. (From originals in British Museum.)
1. Siy:net cylinder. 2. Siffnet cylinder of Seunacberib.
3. Seal ofcnalcedony, with Ph(Enician inscription.
4. Seat of sapphire cnalcedony, with Assyrian inscription.
5. Seal of chalcedony, with Persian inscription.
6. Seal in form of a duck with the head restinp on the back.
7. Clay impression from seal of Esarhaddon. (From Koyunjik.)
8. Clay impression from seal — device, ear of wheat. (From Koyunjik.)
9. Clay impression from seal — device, a scorpion. (From Koyunjik.)
the name of the wearer, sometimes with a sentence from the Koran, and it is customary to give an impression of it instead of a signature (Chardin, i, 289, 355: iii, 112, 862, 366. with plates; Olearius, Trav. p. 633; Rosen- miiller, Morgenl. iii, 205 sq. Comp. Curtiiis, iii, 6, 7; Herod, iii, 128). For this purpose the seal is moistened with a kind of black ink (Harmer, Obs. ii, 468,470; iii, 478); but in sealing letters (1 Kings xxi, 8; comp. .Josephus, Life, p. 44), bags (Job xiv, 17), and sacks (Mishna, Shabb. viii, 5), as well as doors, clay or sealing- earth was used (ibid.\ Among the Jews the women also carried seal-rings (ibid, vi, 3). Eastern princes confer the dignity of minister or regent by the delivery of the state - seal, or a seal - ring (Gen. xli, 42 ; F^sth. iii, 10; viii, 2; 1 Mace, vi, 15; comp. Curtius, x, 5, 4; Aristoph. Eq. 947; see Schulz, Leitung, iv, 218 sq. ; Tournefort, Voyage, ii, 383), and sometimes they invest- ed successors in the same maimer (Josephus, Ant. x.x, 2, 3). In the later language of the .lews the word chothdm meant a counter or token, perhaps with a seal. Such were used in the second Temple (iMislma, Shekal. v, 3 sq.), and a special officer of the seals was stationed there {ibid. V, 1). — Winer. See Ring.
The seal, with the owner's name or some other device engraven upon it, was usually employed to autlienticate public or private documents. Seals for this purpose, made of l)urned clay, or of copper, silver, gold, or pre- cious stones set in metal, were anciently used in the East. Sometimes the signet-ring was used for this purpo.se ((ien. xxxviii, 18; Jer. xxxii, 10). If a door had to be sealed, it was first fastened with some liga- ment, over which was placed some well-compacted cla}',
SEAL
493
SEARLE
and then impressed with the seal, so that any violation of it would be discovered at once (Job xxxviii, 14; Sol. Song iv, 12; Matt, xxvii, (JGj. Important documents were sometimes put in sealed bags and enclosed in earth- enware vessels for greater security (L)eut. xxxii, 34; Jer. xxxii, 14; Job xiv, 17). The seal, if a cylinder, was rolled on the moist clay, hence Job says, "it is turned as clay to the seal" (xxxviii, 14) ; and some- times the tablet or impression was placed in the furnace and baked. The term •' sealed" is sometimes used tig- iiratively for that wliich \s permanent (Isa. viii, Iti) and conjirmed (John vi, 2'j ; Rom. iv, II), also for that which i^s to be kept secret until the appointed time (Dan. viii, 26; xii, 4, 9). So also the "book or roll sealed with seven seals" symbolized the plan of the divine govern- ment, which is iinpenetrahle to every creature, but fully comprehended by the Saviour, who is exalted to the throne of the universe (Rev. v, 2-8). The " seal of the living God," on which is supposed to be engraven the name of "Jehovah," which was impressed upon the fore- heads of the faithful, symbolizes the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (vii, 2-17;"Ephes. i, 13, 14; vi, 30; 2 Cor. i, 22; Ezek. ix, 4, 6 ; 2 Tim. ii, 19). See Signet.