Chapter I: N. R. I.--The initials of the Latin version of the accusation (2)

Magnificat.--The Latin title, meaning "doth magnify," of the hymn sung after the First Lesson at Daily Evening Prayer. It is found in the Gospel of St. Luke I:46-56, and is the song of praise which the Blessed Virgin Mary gave utterance to "at the very season when the Divine overshadowing brought about the Incarnation of the Word." This beautiful hymn is used at the evening service as the daily commemoration of the Incarnation. This use of the Magnificat can be traced as far back as the Fifth Century and it has been used in the English Church at Vespers for over 800 years. For some reason the Magnificat was omitted from the first American Prayer Book set forth in 1789, but at the last revision in 1892 it was restored.

Maniple.--A scarf, like a short stole, worn on the left arm over the alb by the celebrating Priest at the Holy Communion. (See VESTMENTS.)

Manual Acts.--The acts prescribed by the rubrics to be used by the Priest in consecrating the elements in the Holy Communion. The rubric reads, "(_a_) Here the Priest is to take the Paten into his hands, (_b_) And here to break the Bread, (_c_) And here to lay his hand upon all the Bread, (_d_) Here he is to take the Cup into his hands, (_e_) And here he is to lay his {181} hand upon every vessel in which there is any Wine to be consecrated." This is the most solemn part of the whole ministration of the Liturgy. "There cannot be too great exactness and reverent formality on the part of the celebrant in consecrating the elements by means of which, when consecrated, an acceptable sacrifice is to be carried up to the Father, and the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ received by the communicants."

Mark, Feast of Saint.--Observed April 25. St. Mark is called the Evangelist because he is the writer of the Gospel which bears his name. He was the companion of St. Peter and accompanied him in his missionary travels. It is supposed that he wrote his Gospel at the dictation of St. Peter. St. Mark is said to have founded the Church in Alexandria, and one of the ancient Liturgies is called by his name. He suffered martyrdom on Easter Day, April 25th, A.D. 64, being cruelly bound with cords and dragged through the streets of the city until he was dead. It is said that his body was removed, A.D. 465, to Venice, where the famous Church of St. Mark was erected over his grave. This Festival has been observed since A.D. 750. In ecclesiastical art, St. Mark is represented with a lion at his side, with reference to the royal character of the Son of David, which is emphasized in this Gospel.

Marriage.--The sad prevalence of divorce in the United States might not have come to pass if people had clear ideas of what Marriage really is. Marriage is a great deal more than simply a civil contract. It is a divine institution, "an honorable estate, instituted {182} by God in the time of man's innocency." It is a religious ceremony and is sacramental in character. It ought, therefore, to be clearly understood that marriage simply by a "squire" or other legal officer, detracts from the sacredness and dignity of "this holy estate," and belittles the binding character of the "marriage tie." Even a secular paper could declare, "We do not believe there should be any civil marriages of any kind. Every ceremony should be solemnized by the Church and lifted above the level of a real estate transaction." In this custom of civil or legal marriages may be found at least one cause, perhaps the principal cause of divorce, for it encourages such a low view of the sacredness of the Marriage Rite.

Taught by our Lord and His Apostles, the Church emphasizes the religious and sacramental character of Holy Matrimony and has always enjoined its solemnization with ecclesiastical ceremonies and by ecclesiastical persons. This is clearly set forth by the earliest Christian writers. Thus St. Ignatius in one of his Epistles says: "It is fitting for those who purpose matrimony to accomplish their union with the sanction of the Bishop, that their marriage may be in the Lord." Tertullian speaks of marriages being "ratified before God," and adds, "How can we find words to describe the happiness of that Marriage in which the Church joins together, which the Oblation confirms, the Benediction seals, the Angels proclaim when sealed, and the Father ratifies." St. Ambrose calls Marriage a Sacrament, and says, "Marriage must be sanctified by the Priest's sanction and blessing." {183}

These utterances unfold the mind of the Church in the times nearest the days of our Lord and His Apostles, and in all ages ever since the Church has never abandoned this position in her practice and formularies. A careful study of the Marriage Service in the Prayer Book will show it to be a very clear setting forth of the nature of Marriage. It will also be seen how fully this Service has retained the belief concerning Marriage which the Church has always held since the time of our Lord and His Apostles. (See BETROTHAL, also ESPOUSAL.)

Mary, The Blessed Virgin.--(See BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.)

Mass--The old name for the Sacrament of the Holy Communion, being a corruption of the Latin, _Ite, Missa est_, meaning "the people are now dismissed." "This name was retained in the Prayer Book of 1549, the title of the Office being 'The Supper of the Lord, and the Holy Communion, commonly called the Mass.'" In the Prayer Book of 1552 the word "Mass" was dropped and has not since appeared in the Prayer Book, and in consequence has become generally disused. The term, however, is still retained in popular usage as in the words Christmas, Michaelmas, etc. The Swedish and also the German Reformers retained the name "Mass" for the principal service of the Church, whether it did or did not include a Celebration of the Holy Communion.

Matthew, Feast of Saint.--Observed September 21. A Feast in honor of St. Matthew has been observed since A.D. 703, and he is known in the Church as both Apostle and Evangelist. St. Matthew had {184} been a Publican or tax-gatherer, and while in his office at Capernaum, receiving the customs from those who passed over the Sea of Galilee he was called by our Lord and, we read, "he at once arose and followed Him." He is called Levi by St. Mark and St. Luke. This was probably his former name and he was named Matthew when he became a disciple. Being one of the Twelve, he himself saw and heard most of what he relates in the Gospel which he wrote. It was first written in Hebrew, especially for the Jews, but was afterwards, probably by St. Matthew himself, written in Greek. This Gospel tells us more than the others of our Lord's human life, and it is for this reason that in ecclesiastical art the symbol assigned to St. Matthew is "the likeness of a Man" with wings.

Matthias, Feast of Saint.--Observed February 24. The only record we have of St. Matthias in the New Testament is that to be found in Acts I:15-26 where it is recorded that he was chosen to be an Apostle in the place of the traitor Judas. This passage is read for the Epistle for the Day. We have here the New Testament witness to the fact that the number of the Apostles was to be increased and the Apostleship perpetuated to the end of time by its being committed to others, as in the case of St. Paul and St. Barnabas apparently in the place of St. James who had been put to death by Herod, and of some other Apostle whose death is not recorded. According to the tradition of the Church, St. Matthias ministered for some years among the Jews; he then went to Cappadocia where he preached the Gospel and where he eventually suffered martyrdom, being stoned {185} and afterwards beheaded about A.D. 64. In ecclesiastical art, St. Matthias is variously represented as bearing a halbert; leaning upon a sword; holding a sword by the point; with a lance, hatchet or axe; with a stone in his hand; with a carpenter's square; with a book and scimitar.

Matins.--The Order for Morning Prayer was called by the ancient popular name of _Matins_ (abbreviated from Matutinae) in the original English Prayer Book of 1549. This name is still retained in the Tables of Lessons set forth in the English Prayer Book. It is often used now as a brief and convenient substitute for the longer title in the Prayer Book, "The Order for Daily Morning Prayer." One of the CANONICAL HOURS (which see).

Matrimony, Holy.--(See MARRIAGE.)

Maundy Thursday.--The name given to Thursday in Holy Week, "Maundy" being a corruption of _Dies Mandati_, meaning the Day of the Command; mandati, derived from _Mandatum_, meaning a command. The name is given from the command our Lord gave on this day, when He instituted the Holy Communion, viz.: "Do this in remembrance of Me;" and also His commandment concerning love. "That ye love one another as I have loved you." Thursday in Holy Week is sometimes incorrectly called "Holy Thursday," a name which from time immemorial has been given to Ascension Day. Maundy Thursday is always observed with great solemnity. The celebration of the Holy Eucharist on this day has great significance, and is never omitted where it is possible to be had. The ecclesiastical color for the celebration is white, but for other services of the day, violet. {186}

Meditation.--An act of the devout life by which the soul seeks closer intercourse with God. It has been well said that "Meditation is the correlative of Prayer. In Prayer we speak to God. In _Meditation_ God speaks to us. We bow our heads to listen; therefore Meditation should be on our knees. It is the attitude of a humble and teachable frame of mind, and our acknowledgment of the Divine Presence."

Membership, Church.--(See BAPTISM, HOLY; JOINING THE CHURCH, and also NAME, THE CHRISTIAN.)

Mensa.--A slab of stone used as the surface of the Altar is so called. _Mensa_ is a Latin word, meaning a table.

Michael (St.) and All Angels.--A Holy Day of the Church observed on September 29th. A Festival in honor of St. Michael and All Angels, to commemorate the community of service between angels and men, has been observed since the Fifth Century. Formerly two days were dedicated to St. Michael, viz., May 8th and September 29th, and in medieval times a third, on October 16th, but the day most generally observed was that which we now keep. In the Eastern Church, St. Michael's Day is November 8th, while March 26th and July 13th are observed in honor of the Archangel Gabriel. These two, Michael and Gabriel, are the only angels or archangels whose names are mentioned in the Bible. St. Michael and All Angels' Day is observed with great solemnity. Proper Psalms are appointed being the 91st and 103d for Morning Prayer, and the 34th and 148th for Evening Prayer. There are also Proper Lessons, and {187} Collect, Epistle and Gospel. The Church color is white. (See HOLY ANGELS.)

Mid Lent Sunday.--(See FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT.)

Militant, Church.--A name used to describe the Church on earth, fighting (which the word _Militant_ means) or contending against the powers of the world, to distinguish it from the Church Expectant and the Church Triumphant. (See CHURCH CATHOLIC.) In the Communion Office the prayer said after the presentation of offerings is called "The Prayer for the Church Militant," which is a pleading for the Holy Church throughout the world offered in union with the Great Sacrifice.

Ministry, The.--The Scriptural teaching in regard to the Sacred Ministry is that certain persons are set apart to act as the agents of God towards men and the agents of men towards God. The power of the Ministry is inherent in, and derived from Christ, as when He said, "As My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you." This was His commission to the Apostles, and to them He promised, "Lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world." This promise implies a transmission of this commission, so that the Ministry should never die out, but be continued from generation to generation and from century to century, "even to the end of the world." It also implies that He will work in them and through them, so that whatsoever they shall do in His Name shall be His work. As to the nature of this Ministry it is declared in the Preface to the Ordinal that "It is evident unto all men diligently reading Holy Scripture and Ancient Authors, that from the Apostles' time {188} there have been these Orders of Ministers in Christ's Church,--Bishops, Priests and Deacons." And we find that these "Offices were evermore had in such reverend estimation," that for 1,500 years after Christ no Christian people recognized any other Ministry but that of Bishops, Priests and Deacons; and we also find that even at this present time nine-tenths of all Christian people are ministered to by a Ministry in Three Orders. (See EPISCOPACY, PASTORS and also HOLY ORDERS.)

Miserere.--Meaning "Have Mercy." The Latin title of the 51st Psalm which is used in the Penitential Office appointed to be read on Ash Wednesday.

Missal.--In the early ages of the Church the Office of the Holy Communion was contained in several separate volumes, one for the Epistles, one for the Gospels, another for the anthems and a fourth for the service itself with the Collects. These four volumes were eventually united into one volume under the name _Missal_, _i.e._, pertaining to the Mass, and therefore, it is the old title of the book containing all that pertains to the Office of the Holy Communion.

Mission.--A sending forth to preach the Gospel, as when our Lord sent forth His Apostles. The word involves also the idea of power and authority and also a definite sphere of operations. Thus when a Bishop is consecrated, it is for some particular Diocese where he has, by reason of his consecration, "the power of Mission." So also, a Priest who is Rector of a Parish has the "power of Mission" in that Parish. And the Bishop has no authority to minister in any other Diocese, nor the Priest in any other Parish, save only {189} as they may be invited to do so by the ecclesiastical authority thereof. Such "power of Mission" is bestowed by the Church through her Bishops and it is thus that she maintains order and prevents confusion in her work.

Mission. Parochial.--The word "Mission" is also applied to a special effort made in a parish to arouse and quicken its people; to lead them to a deeper realization and appreciation of the privileges and blessings of Christ's Religion; to set forth clearly by a series of addresses and instructions how they can bring the Church's system to bear on their hearts and lives and to lead them to ask, "Can we not all do more than we are now doing and do all with a better spirit?" A Mission is conducted by a Priest specially invited for the purpose and is chosen for his aptness in carrying on such special work. If well conducted and blessed of God a Mission brings great spiritual blessings to the Parish in which it is held and its happy results are to be seen in the awakened life and renewed energy of its people.

Missionary.--One who is sent, whether Bishop, Priest, Deacon or Layman, to do the work of the Church where it has not been established, whether at home or abroad. As an adjective, the word means, of or pertaining to Missions.

Missionary Council, The.--(See DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.)

Missioner.--The name given to the Priest who conducts a Parochial Mission. (See MISSION, PAROCHIAL.)

Missions.--The Missionary work of the Church. This includes _Foreign Missions_, as in Africa, China, {190} Japan, etc., and _Domestic Missions_, _i.e._, the Church's work within the United States where there are no Dioceses; also work in towns and villages in Dioceses where parishes have not been established. This last is called DIOCESAN MISSIONS (which see, also, DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY).

Mitre.--The official covering for the head worn by the order of Bishops. It represents mystically the cloven tongues of fire which lighted on the heads of the Apostles on the Day of Pentecost. The mitre is worn by many Bishops of the American Church, and the General Convention, by its Committee on Vestments, declared, "The first Bishop of the American Succession (Bishop Seabury) was accustomed to wear the mitre in certain offices; and the first of our Bishops ever consecrated in America (Bishop Claggett of Maryland) continued its use. It has not been generally followed, but in the opinion of this Committee this historic fact justifies any Bishop in resuming it."

Mixed Chalice.--The symbolical mixing of water with wine in the Holy Communion to represent the union of the human with the Divine nature in the Incarnation. It is also a lively memorial of Him who for our Redemption did shed out of His most precious side both Water and Blood. This mixing of Water with Wine for this purpose seems to have been an Apostolical use and very probably was practiced by our Lord Himself. This ancient practice remained universal for the first 1,500 years after Christ in all Churches, and is now quite common.

Morning Prayer.--The name given to the Church's Daily Office of prayer offered in the morning. In the {191} first Prayer Book of 1549 both the Morning Service and that for evening began with the Lord's Prayer and ended with the third Collect. In 1552, the Sentences, Exhortation, Confession and Absolution were prefixed to Morning Prayer, but not to the Order for Evening Prayer. In 1661, they were prefixed to Evening Prayer also; and both Morning and Evening Prayer were then lengthened at the end by the addition of all that follows the third Collect. (See DAILY PRAYER; also MATINS.)

Morse.--The clasp used to fasten the cope in front is so called. It is frequently made of precious metal and set with jewels. From the Latin _morsus_, meaning a _bite_, hence a clasp.

Mothering Sunday.--A popular name used in England for the Fourth Sunday in Lent. It is supposed to have derived this name from the Epistle for the Day in which occur the words "Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the Mother of us all." This no doubt gave rise to the custom in England of making pilgrimages to the Mother Church of the Diocese, _i.e._, the Cathedral. This Sunday also became a holiday on which young persons in service were permitted to visit their mothers in their homes. (See FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT; also LENT, SUNDAYS IN.)

Movable Feasts and Fasts.--Those Feasts and Fasts which are not observed on a fixed date, but are variable being dependent on the time Easter is kept. Easter Day is always the first Sunday after the full moon which happens upon or next after the Twenty-first day of March; and if the full moon happen upon a Sunday, Easter Day is the Sunday after. The {192} _Movable Feasts_ are the following: Advent Sunday which is always the nearest Sunday to the Feast of St. Andrew (Nov. 30) whether before or after; the three remaining Sundays in Advent; Septuagesima, Sexagesima and Quinquagesima Sundays; the Six Sundays in Lent; Rogation Sunday; Ascension Day, Whitsun Day and Trinity Sunday; Monday and Tuesday in Easter Week; Monday and Tuesday in Whitsun Week; also the number of Sundays during the Epiphany and Trinity Seasons is variable, these Seasons being longer or shorter according to the time Easter is kept. The _Movable Fasts_ are the Forty Days of Lent, including Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Easter Even and the Lenten Ember Days; the Rogation Days and the Whitsun Tide Ember Days.

Music, Church.--(See HYMNS; GREGORIAN MUSIC, PLAIN SONG, and EVEN SONG, also INTONE.) Recognizing the fact that music always characterized the worship of God's Church both under the Old Dispensation and under the New, the essential thing is the character of the music in our churches to-day and the mode of rendering it. The organist, upon whom so much depends, should be a competent musician, with a good knowledge of the music of the church, and the music that he uses should be strictly sacred music. The choir should consist of the best voices and most cultivated singers available. They should be trained with care, not only in the music they are to sing, but also in the Church service. The late Bishop Thorold remarked on this subject, "We are all coming to feel that Church Music is a great help to worship. . . .But I also feel that if members of the choir accept {193} from God and the minister the privilege of taking part in the services, the one thing they owe to Almighty God, to the congregation and to themselves, is REVERENCE. I know choirs where their singing is almost a means of grace; it is done so beautifully, so reverently and with so much care that it lifts up the whole service to a higher level. The one secret of all good and acceptable rendering of the Church's music is _reverence_."

Mystery.--A Truth or fact of Religion which has been revealed but not explained is called a mystery, because proposed to our faith faculty, such as the Incarnation, the Atonement, the Blessed Trinity, the Doctrine of the Eucharist. St. Paul speaks of the whole Revelation of Christ as the "Mystery of Godliness." Derived from the Greek word _musterion_, which in the Greek Church is the equivalent of our word "Sacrament."

Mystical Body of Christ.--The Church is called the Mystical Body of Christ because He is the Head and we members of His Body. It is by means of its Sacraments that we are made members of Him and partakers of His Nature and Life. (See INCARNATION.)

N

N or M.--The letters placed after the first question in the Church Catechism, "What is your name?" to show that the Christian name or names of the person questioned should be given. "N" stands for {194} the Latin word _nomen_, meaning name; while the letter "M" is an abbreviation of double "N. N.," the "N" being doubled according to an old custom to indicate the plural, viz., _nomina_, meaning names. The same thing is to be seen in the letters "LL.D." standing for the degree of "Doctor of Laws," the double "LL" signifying the plural _legum_, meaning "of laws."

Name, the Holy.--(See HOLY NAME, also JESUS.)

Name, the Christian.--The name received in Holy Baptism. In former days people in general had only one name, as John, Henry, Mary, etc., and were further known by their occupation or some other distinctive word. But the names of trades, place, etc., thus _added on_ to the Christian name, (_i.e._, _supra_ or _sur nomen_) gradually became permanent _surnames_, so that now every person after infancy and Baptism has two names, viz., a Christian name and a surname. The Christian name we receive at our Christening, that is, Christianing or Baptism or New Birth. It is _given_, not inherited. It is a new name given to us in our Baptism because we then become something new. It is given in Baptism to indicate a new relationship to God by thus being brought into covenant with Him. We find many examples in the Bible of new names given in connection with a change of spiritual conditions. Thus Abram's name was changed to _Abraham_ when God made His covenant with him, and Jacob's name was changed to _Israel_ when that covenant was renewed with him, which had been made with Abraham. In the same way and for the same reason Christian names have great significance. They are the sign that those who bear them have been brought into covenant with God, that they have been {195} made in their Baptism, "members of Christ, the children of God, and inheritors of the kingdom of heaven." (See BAPTISM, HOLY; also CHRISTIAN.)

Nativity of our Lord.--The Prayer Book title of the Festival of Christmas is, "The Nativity of our Lord, or the Birthday of Christ, commonly called CHRISTMAS DAY" (which see).

Nave.--The body of the Church building; that portion of it before the choir or chancel, and between the aisles in which the congregation sits. Derived from the Latin word _navis_ meaning a ship, and is intended to symbolize "the ark of Christ's Church."

Neophyte.--A term applied in the primitive Church to the newly baptized--"newly grafted" (which the word means) into Christianity. It was customary for them to wear white garments at their Baptism and for eight days after. The word is still frequently used.

New Birth.--The name which the New Testament Scriptures, and the Church for nearly two thousand years have given to Holy Baptism, which is the Laver of Regeneration, the new and spiritual Birth. (See BAPTISM, HOLY; also REGENERATION.)

Nicea, Council of.--The first of the great ecumenical Councils, held in Nice, or Nicea, A.D. 325. It was at this Council that what we call the Nicene Creed was set forth although additional definitions touching the Holy Ghost were inserted at the Second General Council (the first held at Constantinople, A.D. 381) and therefore, this form of the Faith is frequently called the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed. It is to {196} be noted that this Council did not originate the Creed or the Faith; it simply bore witness to it; its members simply testified to what was always most surely believed among them in their several Dioceses throughout the world. Thus the Nicene Council simply reaffirmed the consentient voice and witness of the Church in general. Or as St. Athanasius, who was a member of this council, wrote concerning it, "About the Faith they wrote not 'It seemed good,' but 'Thus believes the Catholic Church'; and therefore they confessed how they believed, in order to show that their sentiments were not novel, but Apostolical, and what they wrote down was no discovery of theirs, but is the same as was taught by the Apostles." (See COUNCIL.)

Nicene Creed.--The name commonly given to the longer of the two Creeds set forth in the Prayer Book, from its being settled at the COUNCIL OF NICEA (which see). It was introduced into the Liturgy, A.D. 471. The rubric directs that it be specially recited in the service on Christmas Day, Easter Day, Ascension Day, Whitsun Day and Trinity Sunday; but it is always used at the Holy Communion whenever celebrated. The Nicene is the Creed of worship; the Apostles' the Creed of Instruction and of the Daily Offices.

Nocturns.--A name given to certain services which in ancient times were held during the night. The Psalter was usually recited during the three parts into which the night was divided. One of the seven CANONICAL HOURS (which see).

Nonconformists.--A name given in England {197} to those who do not conform to the usages and doctrines of the National Church. The word as used now is practically synonymous with _Dissenter_.

Nones.--One of the seven CANONICAL HOURS (which see). The "ninth hour," or 3 P. M.

North Side.--That part of the front of the Altar which is on the right hand of the Cross, and consequently on the left of the Celebrant as he faces the Altar; the side where the Holy Gospel is read.

Nowell.--The old English name for Christmas; the same as _Noel_, derived from _Natale_, meaning a birthday. It is also the old name for a carol sung in praise of the Incarnation.

Nunc Dimittis.--The Latin title for the Song of Simeon, meaning "Now lettest Thou (Thy servant) depart (in peace)," which is sung after the Second Lesson at Evening Prayer in praise of the manifestation of the Incarnate Word. It is to be found in St. Luke 2:29-32. The Nunc Dimittis has been so used throughout the Church from the earliest ages, being mentioned in the Apostolical Constitutions (written in the early part of the Fifth Century) as an Evening Canticle. There are English versions of it as early as the Fourteenth Century. When the American Prayer Book was set forth in 1789, this beautiful hymn, for some reason, was omitted, but always to the regret of intelligent and devout Church people. When, however, the Prayer Book was revised in 1892 the Nunc Dimittis was restored, so that now this ancient song continues to gladden the hearts of the faithful and devout in the American Church as it did the hearts of the faithful in the old time before them. {198}

O

Oblation.--The act of offering the memorial of the Body and Blood of Christ in the Holy Eucharist, as is done in the second paragraph of the Prayer of Consecration, entitled "The Oblation." Sometimes this name is given to the whole office. The _Oblations_ are the Bread and Wine placed on the Altar at the Offertory preparatory to their Consecration.

Obligation, Days of.--(See DAYS OF OBLIGATION.)

Obsecrations.--The three petitions of the Litany beginning (1) "By the Mystery of Thy Holy Incarnation," (2) "By Thine Agony and Bloody Sweat" and (3) "In all time of our tribulation" are called the Obsecrations, or entreaties. These petitions "go on the principle that every several act of our Lord's Mediatorial Life has its appropriate saving energy; that virtue goes out of each, because each is the act of a Divine Person and has a Divine preciousness." (See LITANY.)

Occasional Offices.--Those services of the Prayer Book which are not in constant use, but used only as occasion may require, such as the Office for Holy Matrimony, the Order for the Burial of the Dead, the Order for Confirmation, the Baptismal services, Visitation of the Sick, etc.

Occasional Prayers.--The prayers set forth in the Prayer Book under the title, "Prayers and Thanksgivings upon several Occasions," such as the Prayer for Congress to be used during their session; the prayer for a Sick Person; Thanksgiving for Recovery from Sickness, etc., which are read on request. {199}

Occurrence of Holy Days.--The coincidence of two or more Holy Days falling on the same date. When this happens, the question arises which is to be observed, which takes precedence. The ancient rule may be illustrated by the following: When the First Sunday in Advent and St. Andrew's Day fell on the same date the Sunday took precedence and only the Collect for the Saint's Day was read; the Fourth Sunday in Advent took precedence of St. Thomas Day; while the Feasts of St. Stephen, St. John Evangelist, Holy Innocents, and the Circumcision, if any of these days occurred on the same date as the First Sunday after Christmas, the Saint's Day and also the Circumcision took precedence of the Sunday. A good Church Almanac will give the needed information concerning the "Occurrence of Holy Days" which takes place during the year.

Octave.--The eighth day after a Festival. The intervening days are said to be "of" or within its Octave and partake of the character of the Festival. The only Feasts mentioned in the Prayer Book, having an Octave as of obligation are Christmas, Easter, Ascension and Whitsun Day, each being honored with a Proper Preface in the Communion Office which is to be used each day during the week. Trinity Sunday was formerly the Octave of Whitsun Day, and probably for this reason its Proper Preface is not repeated during the week.

Offertory, The.--That portion of the Communion service during which the alms of the people, and the Bread and the Wine are received and solemnly presented on the Altar. The word "offertory" is often {200} wrongly applied to the _offerings_, a mistake which should be carefully avoided. It is to be noted that The Offertory is an important part of worship. It is not an impertinence, but stands in the line of duties along side of prayer and singing. To give money each time you go to church, and in the appointed way will bring blessings from God. Pew rent is not "giving" in this sense, any more than paying the butter bill or for a seat at the opera house. We refer to the offering to God for religious or charitable purposes, regularly through the _Offertory_ in church. So your alms will go up with your prayers as a memorial before God.

Offertory Sentences.--In the old Liturgies there was formerly a short anthem after the Gospel, called _Offertorium_; for this in our Liturgy has been substituted the "Offertory Sentences," being short selections from Holy Scripture setting forth "instructions, injunctions and exhortations to the great duty of giving; setting before us the necessity of performing it and the manner of doing it."

Office.--The term "office," in ecclesiastical usage, means a formulary of devotions; a form of service appointed for a particular occasion; a prescribed form or act of worship; thus the Daily Morning and Evening Prayer are called the "Daily Offices." The word is commonly used of the various services set forth in the Prayer Book, as "Baptismal Office," "Communion Office," etc.

Open Churches.--(See FREE AND OPEN CHURCHES.)

Ordain, Ordination.--The act of setting apart to the Sacred Ministry and whereby {201} the grace of Orders is conferred. The right or power to ordain belongs solely to the Bishop and this he does with prayer and Laying on of Hands. (See IMPOSITION OF HANDS.) The times of Ordination prescribed by Canon Law are the Sundays after the EMBER DAYS (which see). These became the settled times of Ordination as early as the Fourth or Fifth Century. But the Bishops are privileged to ordain at other times if necessity require.

Order.--The word "Order" as used in the Prayer Book means _regulation_ or _ordinance_, according to its derivation from the Latin word _ordo_. This is seen in the title of the Communion Office which reads, "The Order for the Administration of the Lord's Supper, or Holy Communion," _i.e._, the prescribed way in which the Holy Communion shall be celebrated. So, also, of all other services; the Prayer Book sets forth the order or manner in which they shall be ministered, and such they are called.

Orders, Holy.--(See HOLY ORDERS.)

Ordinal, The.--The name given to that portion of the Prayer Book containing the Offices for the consecration of Bishops and the ordination of Priests and Deacons. The Ordinal being what it is, is very properly prefaced with a statement of the witness of history to the fact "that from the Apostles' time there have been these Orders of Ministers in Christ's Church--Bishops, Priests and Deacons." It is interesting to note that "our Ordinal was not taken word for word from the Roman Pontifical, but was framed on the comprehensive and broad ground of all known forms and manners of Ordination used in all branches of the {202} Catholic Church." The Ordinal is also sometimes called "The Pontifical."

Ordinary.--The name given to the Bishop of the Diocese, or other ecclesiastical authority who has ordinary jurisdiction.

Organizations, Church.--The American church is not simply a teaching and worshipping body, but it is also a working organization. Its activities reach out in all directions and touch almost every conceivable need. Besides its well organized Dioceses and Parishes which are working with such effectiveness in their several localities, there are many other organizations enlisting the cooperation of Churchmen everywhere. There are the general Institutions, such as the General Theological Seminary, the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, the Woman's Auxiliary, the American Church Building Fund Commission, Free and Open Church Association, the Prayer-book Distribution Society, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, the Girls' Friendly Society, the Fund for Relief of Widows and Orphans of Deceased Clergymen and of the Aged and Infirm and Disabled Clergymen, the Daughters of the King; all of which are treated of under their proper heads. Other organizations are The Society for the Increase of the Ministry, the Evangelical Education Society, the American Church Missionary Society, Society for Promoting Christianity among the Jews, the Guild of St. Barnabas for Nurses; Church Temperance Society; Missions among Deaf Mutes; etc. Besides these, there are religious Orders, Church Clubs, Sisterhoods, many Charity and Hospital organizations; and while this enumeration does {203} not include all the various organizations that are at work, yet these are given that the reader may form some idea of what this Church is doing and how fully she enlists the cooperation of the laity in her general work.

Organs.--Musical instruments have been used in the worship of God from the time when, after the passage of the Red Sea, Moses and Miriam sang their song of praise accompanied by timbrels. The worship of the Temple was noted for the great number and variety of musical instruments employed in it. As to when organs were first brought into use, it is not clearly known, but it is recorded that about the year 766 Constantius Copronymus, Emperor of Constantinople, sent an organ as a present to King Pepin of France. Soon after Charlemagne's time organs became common. In the Eleventh Century a monk named Theophilus wrote a curious treatise on organ-building. But it was not until the Fifteenth Century that the organ began to be anything like the noble instrument which it now is, the most comprehensive and important of all wind instruments.

Orientation.--The name given to the act of turning to the east or Altar as an act of faith and worship in the Church service. (See EAST, TURNING TO.) It is also an architectural term used in reference to church buildings running east and west.

Ornaments.--By "ornaments" is meant the necessary furniture of the church for the proper conduct of divine service, and the vestments to be worn by the clergy. In this the Church of the present day is largely guided by what is called the "Ornaments {204} Rubric" of the English Prayer-book. According to this it would seem that among the necessary ornaments for the proper furnishing of the church are the following: the Altar, with its cross, candlesticks and coverings; Paten and Chalice; Cruets, Font and Pulpit; and that the necessary vestments of the Priest are the chasuble, alb and girdle, stole, surplice, cope; for the Bishop the same with the addition of the rochette, mitre and Pastoral staff.

Orphrey.--A band of embroidery used to ornament the vestments.

Orthodox.--In accordance with the doctrine of the Church; holding fast "the Faith once delivered to the Saints." The Faith has been defined by the Ecumenical Councils as set forth in the Creeds which "ought thoroughly to be received and believed, for they may be proved by most certain warrants of Holy Scripture" (VIII Article of Religion).

P

Pall.--A square card, the upper side of which is covered with silk the color of the Church Season and underneath with linen, loosely stitched so as to be readily removed in order to be washed. It is used to cover the Chalice when the Holy Eucharist is celebrated.

Palm Sunday.--The Sixth Sunday in Lent, the first day in Holy Week. It commemorates the entry of our Lord into Jerusalem when the people strewed {205} the way with palm branches and cried, "Hosanna to the Son of David." It was formerly customary for worshippers to appear on this day in procession carrying in their hands palms, or yew or willow branches, which were blessed before the beginning of the Communion Service. On Palm Sunday the Church has always begun to set before God and man the Gospel account of the Passion of our Lord, that by St. Matthew being read on this day. (See LENT, SUNDAYS IN.)

Paraclete.--Another name for the Holy Ghost, signifying one who is invoked to aid or comfort. It was this word our Lord used when He said, "I will send you another Comforter," _i.e._, Paraclete. Elsewhere, the word is also translated _Advocate_.

Paradise.--The place where the souls of the righteous dwell during the INTERMEDIATE STATE (which see). The name is also applied to the happy abode of Adam and Eve before the Fall.

Parish.--The term "Parish" as used in the American Church signifies a local congregation having a church building, and duly organized under the title of "Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen." It is always given a name, such as St. John's, Christ Church, Trinity, etc. It is competent for any number of persons, usually not less than ten, to associate themselves together to form a Parish. In the articles of association, the Parish acknowledges and accedes to the Constitution, Canons, Doctrines, Discipline and Worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese in which it is located. If on presentation of these articles, the Council or Convention of the Diocese gives its consent, the Parish shall be accounted duly established. {206}

The word is derived from the Greek _Paroikia_, and was originally used to designate the sphere of a Bishop's jurisdiction as distinguished from that of an Archbishop, but when the former was gradually parcelled out into smaller portions these began to be called _Parishes_.

Parish House.--By reason of the growing activities of the American Church, it is found necessary to have some building other than the church where the active and sometimes secular work of the Parish can be carried on, a place where societies, guilds, schools, etc., can have their own proper "workshop." Such building is called the "Parish House," and is absolutely necessary for any active and growing Parish.

Parish Register.--A book in which all births. Baptisms, Confirmations, deaths, and marriages that occur in the Parish are recorded, together with the list of Families and Communicants. The importance of the Parish Register and the care with which it should be kept will appear when it is considered that it is a legal document.

Parishioner.--One who belongs to a Parish. The Parish partakes of the character of the people who compose it; if they are earnest and devoted, loyal and true to the Church's appointments, the Parish is sure to be prosperous. In other words, the Church lives as they who are of it live. It is vital with their vitality. It is a live body as they are live Christians. Thus the success of a Parish is not wholly dependent on the Rector, but on the people as well.

Parochial Mission.--(See MISSION, PAROCHIAL.)

Parson.--The old name used in England for the {207} rector or incumbent of a parish. Parson and person are the same word, being derived from the Latin _Persona_. The Parson is so called, as Blackstone tells us, "because by his person the Church which is an invisible body, is represented."

Paschal.--Pertaining to Easter, from the fact that the original name of the Festival was _Pascha_, _i.e._, the Passover.

Passion.--Meaning _suffering_, and is used almost exclusively of our Lord's sufferings, as expressed in the article of the Creed, "Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried."

Passion Sunday.--The Fifth Sunday in Lent is so called because on this day our Lord began to make open prediction of His sufferings, and in her round of worship the Church begins the solemn commemoration of His Passion and Death. (See LENT, SUNDAYS IN.)

Passion Tide.--The name given to the last two weeks of Lent beginning with the Fifth Sunday in Lent, during which our Lord's Passion and Death are commemorated.

Passion Week.--The week before Holy Week. This name should not be applied to the last week of Lent, which is properly called Holy Week, or as called by the primitive Christians, the "Great Week."

Pastor.--A Latin word meaning Shepherd. Christ having called Himself the Good Shepherd, or Good Pastor, the name has been assumed for His Ministers. They bear the same relation to the Flock over which they are placed. A Pastor is a Teacher, Guide, Exemplar, Friend, Administrator. He deals with {208} individuals. His intercourse is personal. His offices are for all and for each. Pastorship includes many and varied offices,--Minister, Rector, Preacher, Priest, but all offices and all labors have reference to men's spiritual interests. He who is a Pastor has the cure, _i_. _e_., care, charge of men's souls. Pastorship, therefore, is a very sacred as well as a very responsible office. It is well to note that a minister is not a Pastor simply because he is ordained; besides the Divine call and Divine appointment in ordination, there is also the call from the people to define that number of souls over which the charge is to be exercised. This is brought out in the "Office of Institution of Ministers into Parishes or Churches," to be found in the Prayer-book.

Pastoral Letter.--A letter issued by the Rector of a Parish, or by the Bishop of the Diocese on some subject affecting the welfare of the Church in its devotions or work. Perhaps the most important of such Pastoral Letters is that which is issued by the House of Bishops at the close of each General Convention, touching on grave questions of the day or on the prospects of the Church throughout the nation, and which is required by canon to be read in all the churches.

Pastoral Staff.--A staff used by a Bishop, as an ensign of his office, at all public Episcopal Ministrations. It is generally borne by his chaplain. The Pastoral Staff is made in the shape of a shepherd's crook and is frequently given to the Bishop at his consecration, to denote that he is then constituted a shepherd over the Flock of Christ. This use of the {209} Pastoral Staff comes down to us from the most ancient times.

Paten.--The plate, made of precious metal, on which the Bread is consecrated at the Holy Communion and from which it is administered to the communicants. When properly made, the lower part of the Paten will fit into or over the edge of the chalice. The word is derived from the Latin, _Patena_ or the Greek, _Patane_, meaning a flat, open dish. (See VESSELS, SACRED.)

Paul, Conversion of Saint.--A feast of the Church observed on January 25th, in memory of the Conversion of St. Paul, through whose preaching God caused the Light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world. St. Paul is not commemorated as the other Apostles are, by his death or martyrdom, but as stated above, by his Conversion because it was so wonderful in itself and was so important and beneficial to the Church. He labored more abundantly than they all. While the other Apostles had their particular fields of labor, St. Paul had the care of all the churches and by his labors contributed very much to the propagation of the Gospel throughout the world. There are good reasons for believing that he extended his Apostolical labors even to the remote island of Britain. We find him described by two names, _Saul_ and _Paul_, the first being Hebrew, relating to his Jewish origin and the other Latin, assumed by him, as some think, at his conversion, as an act of humility, styling himself less than the least of all saints. St. Paul suffered martyrdom, having been beheaded, in the sixty-eighth year of his age, at Rome, under Nero, in the general {210} persecution of Christians upon the pretense that they set fire to the city. It was from the instrument of his execution that the custom arose of representing him in ecclesiastical art with a sword in his hand.

Penance.--In the early ages of the Church the commission of grievous error in life or doctrine was, punished by exclusion from the Communion of the Church; and in order to obtain readmission, offenders were obliged to submit to a prescribed course of penitence. The regulations as to the length and manner of this discipline varied in different times and in the several branches of the Church; the administration of it was chiefly in the hands of the Bishops. It is this "godly discipline" to which reference is had in the Commination Office in the Prayer-book of the Church of England, and which is used "until the said discipline may be restored again, which is much to be wished." Penance is also regarded as one of the lesser Sacraments.

Penitential Office.--An office of deep devotion and contrition to be used on Ash Wednesday, which was added to the Prayer-book at its last revision in 1892. Its place in the service is during the latter part of the Litany. It may be used on other days at the discretion of the minister. (See ASH WEDNESDAY.)

Penitential Psalms.--Being the 6th, 32d, 38th, 51st, 102d, 130th and 143d Psalms of David, all of which are read during the services on ASH WEDNESDAY (which see). There are no prayers more fitted for penitent sinners than the Seven Penitential Psalms, if we enter into the feelings of compunction, {211} love, devotedness and confidence with which the Royal Psalmist was penetrated. The purport of each psalm may be briefly stated as follows:

Psalm 6 exhibits a sinner in earnest and hearty prayer after having sinned, with assured hope and confidence in the mercy of God.

Psalm 32 shows how a sinner is brought to understand his sins, to confess and bewail them and obtain remission.

Psalm 38, in which the penitent earnestly prays to God to pardon his sins and mitigate his punishment.

Psalm 51 shows the great sorrow of a sinner for his sins.

Psalm 102 shows how a sinner in affliction of mind prays to God and derives comfort from His help and goodness.

Psalm 130 shows how a sinner in tribulation cries to God for deliverance; while

Psalm 143 may be used in any spiritual or temporal tribulation.

Pentecost.--The Greek name for the "Feast of Weeks" in the Jewish Church. The word means _fiftieth_, the Feast being fifty days after the Feast of the Passover. Whitsun Day is so called, being observed fifty days after Easter, the Christian Passover, and because it was on the Day of Pentecost that the Holy Ghost was given. (See WHITSUN DAY.)

Peter, festival of Saint.--A Holy Day of the Church observed on June 29th in honor of the Apostle Saint Peter, and is one of the oldest of Christian Festivals, having been traced back to the Second Century. St. Peter was one of the first two disciples {212} whom our Lord called. His original name was Simon or Simeon, which was changed into Cephas, which in the Syrian language, signifies a _stone_ or _rock_; from this it was derived into the Greek _Petros_, and so termed by us Peter. This new name was to denote the firmness and constancy which St. Peter should manifest in preaching the Gospel and in establishing the Church. He has left two Epistles which appear in the New Testament as the "First and Second Epistles General of St. Peter." It is said that his later years were spent at Rome where he was crucified with his head downwards, on the hill where the Vatican now stands, on the same day, June 29th (as is generally believed) that St. Paul was beheaded A.D. 63. In ecclesiastical art St. Peter is variously represented, with a key in his hand; with a key and church; with keys and cross; in chains and in prison, etc.

Philip (St.) and St. James' Day.--A Festival observed on May 1st in memory of two Apostles of our Lord, St. Philip and St. James. The reason for coupling together the names of these two Apostles is not quite clear, but it may be taken as an illustration of the manner in which our Lord sent forth His Apostles, two and two. St. Philip was a native of Bethsaida, a town bordering on the Sea of Tiberias and was one of the first of our Lord's disciples and was His constant companion and follower. He brought Nathanael, a person of great note and eminence, to the knowledge of the Messiah; and it was to St. Philip that certain Greeks went with the request, "Sir, we would see Jesus." St. Philip is said to have carried the Gospel to Northern Asia, where by his {213} preaching and miracles he made many converts; his name has also been connected with the Church in Russia. He suffered martyrdom at Hieropolis, a city of Phrygia, where he was crucified and stoned on the cross. In ecclesiastical art St. Philip is variously represented; with a basket in his hand; with two loaves and a cross; with a tall cross and book, etc. For notice of St. James see article on James (St.) the Less.

Piscina.--A stone basin with a drain pipe to carry off water used in the ablutions of the sacred vessels at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

Plain Song.--The name given to the ancient music with which the Church service was rendered. Thus Blunt in the Annotated Prayer-book, speaking of Church music says, "In the remodeling of our English services, the great aim was not to discard, but to utilize the ancient plain song, to adapt it to the translated offices, to restore it to something more of its primitive 'plainness,' to rid it of its modern corruptions, its wearisome ornaments and flourishes so that the Priest's part, on the one hand, might be intelligible and distinct, not veiled in a dense cloud of unmeaning notes, and the people's part made so easy and straightforward as to render their restored participation in the public worship of the Sanctuary at once practicable and pleasurable."

Post Communion.--The name given to that portion of the Communion Office which is read after all have communicated, and is the giving of thanks for the grace received.