Skjoeldr, in Norse mythology, is the name of a fa- mous Danish king who, after many con(|uests and great deeds, caused himself to be placed with his treasures on board a ship and exposed to the mercy of the winds. — Vollmer, Worterb. d. Mythol. s. v.
SkoU (or Skoell), in Norse mythology, was the terrible son of Fenris and (iygc, whose form was that of a monstrous giant resembling a wolf. He steadily pur- sues the sun in order to devour it, and in this purpose he will eventually succeed. His brother Hate will, in like manner, devour the moon in the end of the world. — Vollmer, Worterb. d. Mythol. s. v.
SKOPTZI
192
SLAFTER
Skoptzi. See Russian Sects.
Skuld, in Norse mythology, was (1) the youngest of the three Xoims, or Fates, who guide the life of men. The gotl.s often seek counsel from them ; and even Odin has not the power to alter their decrees. (2) A Val- kyria who, accompanied by two others, rides to the bat- tle-tield to invite the heroes to Odin's banquet in Valhalla.
Skull (rsjbil, gulgdleth, so called from its round form [2 Kings ix, 35: " head," 1 Chron. x, 10; elsewhere "poll;" Kpaviov\ the Lat. cranium, Matt. xxvii, 33; Mark XV, 22 ; Luke xxiii, 33 ; John xix, 17]). See Calvary.
Sky stands in the A. V. as the rendering only of pijlT, shdchak (Deut. xxxiii, 26; 2 Sam. xxii, 12; Psa. xviii, 11; Ixxvii, 17; Isa. xlv, 8; Jer. li, 9), the thick black clouds (as elsewhere rendered) spread over the whole firmament ; and thrice (Matt, xvi, 2, 3 ; Heb. xi, 12) of oiipavuQ, the visible expanse of air (elsewhere " heaven" ). In Scripture phraseology the heavens (D^pir), as the opposite of the earth (Gen. i, 8, 10), constitute with it the world (i, 1 ; ii, 1 ; Deut. xxx, 19; Psa. 1, 4), for which idea the Heb. had no other proper expression. According to the Mosaic cosmogony, the sky seems to have been regarded as physical, being a space between the upper and lower waters, or rather as a fixed expanse (5"^p"!, "firmament") which sep- arates these (Gen. i, 6, 8; Psa. civ, 3; cxlviii, 4). Through this oceanic heaven were poured upon the earth rains, dews, snow, and hail (Job xxxviii, 2) by means of openings, which were under the divine control, and wliich are sometimes called windows (ma"iX, Gen. vii, 11; viii, 2; 2 Kings vii, 2, 19) or doors (D'l'nb'l, Psa. Ixxviii, 23). In the skj' hung the sun, moon, and stars as lights for the inhabitants of the earth (Gen. i, 14 sq.), and above it sat Jehovah as on a throne (Psa. ciii, 3; comp. xxix, 3; Ezek. i, 26). These, however, were rather poetical than literal representations (comp. Exod. xxiv, 10 ; Dan. xii, 3 ; Job xxxvii, 18 ; Ezek. i, 22 ; Rev. iv, 6), for there are not wanting evidences of a truer conception of the cosmical universe (Job xxvi, 7; xxxvi, 7). See Earth.
Skyndir, in Norse mythology, is an additional name for the moon, signifying the hastening one.
Slack, Comfort I., a Presbyterian minister, was born in Mexico, N. Y., Aug. 12, 1835. He graduated at Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., studied theology in Auburn Seminary, was licensed to preach by the Cayu- ga Presbytery, and in 1863 was ordained and installed pastor of Westminster Church at Newton, Jasper Co., la. This was his only charge, and here he labored faithfully till his death, Eeb. 24, 1865. Mr. Slack was distinguished for his fidelity as a student, his interest in the missionary cause, and his devoted piety. The Rev. George Ransom, of Miiir, Mich., writes of him : " He brought into the work of the ministry an accuracy of judgment, a perspicuity of reasoning, and a safety in his conclusions which are rarely achieved save by the discipline of a long and trying experience." See Wil- son, Prexb. Hilt. Almanac, 1866, p. 224. (J. L. S.)
Slack, Elijah, LL.D.. a F'resln'terian divine, was born in Lower Township, Bucks Co., Pa., Nov. 24, 1784. He professed religion in IKOl, attended the grammar- school at Trenton, N. J., from 1803 to 1806, and grad- uated at the C<jllege of New .Jersey, Princeton, in 1808. He was principal of the Trenton Academy three years, during which time he studied theology [)rivately; was licensed by the Ni-w I{rimswi<'k Presbytery in 1811; was elected vice-[ircsident of the (College of New .Jersey and professor of natural philosophy and chemistry in 1812, and continued to discharge the a[)[)ertaining duties for five years; removed to Cincinnati, ()., in 1H17, and was elected superintendent of the Literary and Scientific Institute in that city. In 1819, the Cincinnati College being established, he was appointed president and pro-
fessor of natural philosophy and chemistry, in which position he remained until 1828, when, from deficient endowment, the college closed. During this time he had, in connection with Dr. Daniel Drake, established the Cincinnati Medical College and Commercial Hospi- tal. In 1837 he removed to Brownsville, Tenn., and established a high -school for young men, which was very successful; but in 1842 returned to Cincinnati, and retired from public life. He died May 29, 1866. Dr. Slack was very closely identified for several years with the early educational interests of the West. A short time before his death his alma mater conferred upon him the title of Doctor of Laws. See Wilson, Presb, Hist. Almanac, 1867, p. 197. (J. L. S.)