ECCLE'SIA. I. The great assembly of the Athenians in which all free citizens might vote. Its authority was supreme, but, as in the growing power of the higher classes it was after a time seldom convened, the entire management of the state fell into the hands of the archons, who were chosen from the aristocratic classes. Solon (B.C. 504) ordained that it should meet monthly, on established days, and at other times when emergencies arose. It was convened by the prytanes, was presided over by the epistates, and, after it had been constituted by the offering of sacrifice and prayer, the proedroi announced the subjects for consideration, which had already been acted on by the senate, but required the consent of the people before they could become laws. Citizens who were over 50 years of age were first invited to speak ; afterwards any one over 30 might be heard. The voting was by stretching forth the hands, or by depositing beans and stones in vessels prepared for them. When the business had been finished the prytanes dismissed the E. In Sparta, also, there were assemblies of the same name. One kind, composed only of citizens of Sparta itself, was called the little E. It met
once a month, at first in the open air and afterwards in a building erected for the purpose. Any citizen over 30 years of age might speak. Another kind, called by way of eminence the E., was composed of the kings, senators, magistrates, and delegates from all the towns and cities of the province of Laconia. It had cognizance of all affairs of common interest and importance to the whole state. The voting at Sparta was by accla mation, and not by ballot. The majority was determined by the comparative volume of sound, or, if that was doubted, by a division and counting of the two parties. II. In the Greek of the New Testament, E. is the name for the company of Christ's disciples professing to trust in him as their Saviour and to obey him as their Lord. It is applied to a small assembly of them, such as were members of one family, or could meet in a dwelling-house of ordinary size; to the whole number in one city or neighborhood; to the whole number on earth; to all that are in heaven; and to the innumerable company on the earth and in the heavens.