By THOMAS WHITTAKER Preface The writer of the following pages has long been convinced, from an experience of many years in the Ministry, that a great desideratum among Church people is a Church Dictionary, especially one not so expensive as the more costly works, and at the same time something more complete and satisfactory than a mere glossary of terms. What seems to be needed is an inexpensive, handy volume, "short enough for busy people, plain enough for common people, cheap enough for poor p

Banners.—On festal occasions banners are often carried in choir processionals "to signify yet more clearly the progress and future triumph of the Church, {29} according to that description of her in the Song of Solomon: 'Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?'" Banns of Marriage.—The word "Bann" is derived from the Saxon word bannen , meaning, to proclaim. The term "Banns of Marriage," means, therefore, the publicat

Calendar.—The word "calendar" is derived from the Latin word calo , meaning, to reckon. From this the first day of every Roman month was called Calends , hence Calendar. Calendars are known to have been in use at a very early date. One is still extant that was formed as early as A.D. 336, and another drawn up for the Church in Carthage dates from A.D. 483. The origin of Christian Calendars is clearly coeval with the commemoration of martyrs, which began at least as early as the martyrdom of Poly

Daily Prayer, The.—By the appointment of Daily Morning and Evening Prayer set forth in the Prayer Book the Church designs that services should be held every day in the church throughout the year. This is usually regarded as being impracticable and therefore the Daily Prayer does not prevail in our churches. It has been pointed out, however, that "Churches {74} without such an offering of Morning and Evening Prayer are clearly alien to the system and principles of the Book of Common Prayer, and t

Eagle.—The figure of an eagle is often used in the Church as an emblem to symbolize the flight of the Gospel message over the world. To this end the lectern from which the Holy Scriptures are read is generally constructed in the form of an eagle with outstretched wings on which the Bible rests. It is usually made of polished brass, but sometimes carved in wood. The eagle is also used as an emblem of the Evangelist St. John, who more than any other of the Apostles, was granted a clearer insight i

Gehenna.—In the original Greek of the New Testament Scriptures there are two words unfortunately translated by our one English word "Hell." The first of these is Gehenna , meaning the "place of torment." The second is Hades , which also occurs in the original Greek of the Creed, and means the hidden , covered, intermediate world where the soul rests between death and the general Resurrection. When, therefore, we confess in the Creed that our Lord "descended into Hell," we do not mean that He ent

Habit.—The name given to the garb worn by the clergy, e . g ., the robes worn by a Bishop are frequently called the "Episcopal habit"; also, the garb worn by members of a religious order, such as the Sisters of Charity, etc. Hades.—The Greek word for the place of departed spirits, translated in the English Bible and, also, in the Creed by the word "Hell," not, however, the place of torment. (See DESCENT INTO HELL, also INTERMEDIATE STATE.) Hallelujah.—A Hebrew word, meaning "Praise the Lord"; sa

James (St.) The Great.—One of the Apostles of our Lord, whose Festival is observed on July 25th, St. James was the brother of St. John and the son of Zebedee and Salome. With St. John he received the appellation of "Boanerges" from our Lord. He has also been surnamed the Great or the Greater by the Church, but neither of these designations can be satisfactorily accounted for. St. James was the first of the Apostles who suffered martyrdom and the only one whose death is recorded in the New Testam

Kalendar.—The same as CALENDAR (which see). Keys of the Church.—To the Rector belongs the control of the keys of the Church building, and this because he alone can determine what services shall be held in it. If he chooses he can hold services every day; he can celebrate the Holy Eucharist every day or as often as he thinks best, and no one can interfere with him. He has charge of the spiritualities of the Parish and in this he is left absolutely free, being amenable to his Bishop only. The Vest

Lady Day.—The English popular name for the FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION (which see). Laity.—Derived from the Latin Laicus , Greek Laikos , from Laos , meaning "people." The word means of, or pertaining to the People as distinguished from the Clergy. The term was first used in the second century. It ought to be noticed that the term Laity, or Layman does not mean the mere absence of rank, but denotes a positive order in the Church. The word is the equivalent of "brethren," as we read in the Acts of

Magna Charta.—The great document exacted by Barons from King John of England at Runnymede, June 15th, 1215, by which was declared English liberty and English freedom in Church and State, and the ancient rights and privileges of the people were clearly defined and guaranteed. In this document is set forth the independence of England's Church, and from it we learn how untrue is the popular belief that the Church of England was founded by Henry VIII, {180} for among its opening words are these (in

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," th

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," (

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 cu

Rail.—(See ALTAR RAIL.) Ratification, The.—The American Prayer-book having been set forth, it was duly ratified by the action of the General Convention on October 16th, 1789, and the certificate of such ratification appears in every copy of the Prayer-book, declaring "it to be the Liturgy of this Church," and requiring "that it be received as such by all the members of the same." Real Presence.—The name given to the Church's doctrine concerning Christ's Presence in the Holy Eucharist. The term "

Unction.—(See ANOINTING THE SICK.) Undivided Church.—In the great work of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century, the Church of England did not seek to introduce innovations, to erect a new church in the place of the old, or to change the old religion for a new religion. What it aimed to do was to retain its ancient heritage, but at the same time to free the old Church from certain grave abuses, to purify the old religion from many harmful superstitions which had sprung up during the Middle Ag

Veil.—(See CHALICE VEIL.) Veni Creator Spiritus.—The Latin title of a very ancient hymn to the Holy Ghost, sung in the Ordination Offices, appropriate to Whitsun Day, and formerly sung at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. The authorship of this hymn is commonly ascribed to St. Ambrose, A.D. 350. The first English version (added to the Prayer-book in 1662) has been attributed to John Dryden. Venite Exultemus.—Meaning, "O come, let us sing," the Latin title of the 95th Psalm, sung as the firs

Wafer Bread.—(See UNLEAVENED BREAD.) Wardens.—(See CHURCH WARDENS.) Warnings.—The Exhortations in the Communion Office announcing a future celebration are called "Warnings," and are intended to be a sufficient notification to the Communicants so that they may make their preparation for the receiving of the Communion. Where there are frequent celebrations, as on every Sunday and Holy Day, "the rubric does not seem to enjoin their constant use, but to require this form of exhortation to be used at

X.—The letter X resembles the shape of the Cross of St. Andrew, which has come into quite prominent notice as being the badge of the BROTHERHOOD OF ST. ANDREW (which see). X P.—These letters belong under this head only in appearance as they are in reality the first two letters of the Greek word Christos , meaning "Christ." The X is the Greek letter Chi and is equivalent to the English letters "ch"; the P is called Rho and is the same as the letter "r;" they thus represent the first three letters

Y Cross.—By reason of its shape, the Cross embroidered on the CHASUBLE (which see) is called the Y Cross, and is intended to represent the outstretched arms of our Blessed Lord on the Cross, and symbolizes the Sacrifice which He there offered for the sins of the whole world, of which the Holy Eucharist is the perpetual Memorial. Year.—(See CHRISTIAN YEAR.) Yule.—The old English name for CHRISTMAS (which see). A word of doubtful origin. Yule Tide.—The season or time of Christmas. Zealot.—One of a