of the origin of the Hebrews, or of some of the clans who subsequently formed part of the coali- tion known as Hebrews from the Mesopotamian district. The story of the wanderings of the Te- rahites along the Euphrates and thence into Palestine is typical of the manner in which nomadic bands in the early and the late days of Babylonian history proceeded from the Arab- ian desert, and, attracted by Babylonian cul- ture, skirted the western borders of this culture. some making more or less permanent settlements, while others pass on to the north. A significant passage in Deuteronomy (xxvi:5) designates the ancestors of the Hebrews as "nomadic Aramæans." Aram here is a designation for Mesopotamia, and the chief value of the story of Abraham's wanderings lies accordingly in thus preserving a picture of conditions prevailing at the earliest period of which any recollection survived among the people.
Bibliography. For the rabbinical legends and traditions about Abraham, consult: Beer, Das Leben Abrahams in Lebensgemälden biblischer Personen nach Auffassung der jüdischen Sage (Leipzig, 1859); Grünbaum, Neue Beiträger zur semititchen Sagenkunde (Leipzig, 1893), which also contains the Mohammedan legends about Abraham. For archæological aspects, see Tomkins's Studies on the Times of Abraham (London, 1878); Sayee, Patriarchal Palestine (Utrecht, 1895) (to be used with caution), as well as the early chapters in histories of the Hebrews by Stade, Kittel, Guthe, Piepenbring, as well as the commentaries on Genesis by Gunkel, Dillmann, Delitzsch, etc.
ABRAHAM-A-SANCTA CLARA, a'brahani a sank'ta klar'a (1644-1709). A popular German preacher and friar. His real name was Ulrich Megerle, but he is generally known by the name given to him when he joined the Augustinians. He was provincial prior of the Augustinians and court preacher at Vienna. Uncouth puns, coarse expressions, and strange freaks of humor marked his sermons. He lashed the follies of all classes of society and in particular exposed the vices of courtiers and court life. He was an honest, faithful, and devoted priest, as was proved by his self-sacrificing conduct during the plague in 1679. His collected works aggregate twenty-one volumes (1835).
ABRAHAMITES, aajra-ham-its. or BOHEMIAN DEISTS. The name under which a number of Bohemians, trusting to the edict of toleration issued by Joseph II., avowed themselves (1782) as believers of the doctrine alleged to have been held by Abraham before his circumcision. As early as the ninth century a sect of the same name had arisen in Syria, and had denied the divinity of Christ. But the Bohemian deists professed to be followers of John Huss, though they held no Christian doctrine beyond that of the unity of God, and accepted nothing of the Bible save the Ten Commandments and the Lord's Prayer. As they would join neither Jewish nor Christian sects, the Emperor refused to tolerate them, and in 1783 expelled them from their native land, and scattered them in various parts of Hungary. Transylvania, and Slavonia, where many were made converts to the Roman Catholic Church, while others died clinging to their simple creed.
A'BRAHAM-MEN'. A class of sturdy beggars in England who feigned lunacy, and wandered about the country in a disorderly manner. They were common in Shakespeare's, time, and, it would seem, existed even as late as the period of the Civil Wars. The term is a cant one. ""An Abram cove," as Decker, in his English Villanies, calls one of those mendicants, meant one who personated a "Tom o' Bedlam." He would "disguise himself in grotesque rags, with knotted hair, long staff, and with many more disgusting contrivances to excite pity," but he did not hesitate to live by thieving too; when detected in pilfering or in any species of depredation, he pleaded the immunities of a Bedlamite. This word connoted originally an inmate of the lunacy ward of Bethlehem Hospital, London, under the patronage of the patriarch Abraham. Wearing a badge for identification, such a man was formally permitted to roam about the country when discharged and solicit alms. Many mendicants took wrongful advantage of this privilege and preyed upon the charitable. The term is still preserved in the slang phrase "to sham Abraham."
A'BRAHAM'S BOS'OM. A term used to designate the abode of bliss of the blessed, not only among Jews but among Christians. Lazarus reclining in Abraham's bosom was a figurative expression. In Byzantine and mediæval art the souls of the blessed are represented as being taken into Abraham's bosom in the form of little children. Abraham is the central figure in the fore-court of heaven.
A'BRAHAM THE JEW AND THE MER'CHANT THE'ODORE. A mediæval tale of the conversion of a Jewish money-lender, after occurrences in which figures prominently the miracle-working power of the great image of Christ in the copper market at Constantinople. Theodore, in financial straits, twice borrows money of Abraham on the security of his oath before the statue, and only after repeated losses does he find, while on a foreign shore, means to repay the loan. For lack of other mode of transmission the merchant trusts his box of money to the sea. It is carried by the waves safely home to the Jew, who denies, however, after the return of Theodore, that he has received it. The Christian's prayer before the image, where he has brought Abraham to take oath, leads the Jew to confession of the Christian faith.
ABRA-IGORROTE. a'bra e'gAr-nVta. or
Guinaane. A head-hunting tribe of the prov-
ince of Abra, northern Luzon. See Philippines.
ABRANTES, ;'i-briiu'ti'is. An ancient town in Estremadura, Portugal, situated on the Tagus, 70 miles northeast of Lisbon (Map: Portugal, A 3). It is strongly fortified, being surrounded by walls and protected by a castle. It is remarkable for the grand architectural features of its monastery. By way of the Tagus, Abrantes has a brisk trade with Lisbon in grain, olive oil, wine, and fruit. From this town Marshal Junot took his title of Duke of Abrantes. Pop., about 8000.
ABRANTES, a'hn'iN'tas', Duc d'. See Junot.
ABRANTES, Duchesse d'. See Junot.
ABRA'SI'VES (Lat. ab, away -f rurfcir, to
scrape, scratch). The natural and artificial
substances used in the arts for scraping, grind-
ing, and polishing. The principal abrasives
