II. The Evidences of Christianity, Christian Ethics and Dogmatic
Theology.
III. Church History, Ecclesiastical Polity, the Book of Common
Prayer, the Constitution and Canons of the Church and those of
the Diocese to which the candidate belongs.
The Examination for Deacon's Orders is on the Books of Holy
Scripture, and on the Book of Common Prayer.
Excommunication.--An ancient discipline of the Church whereby a
person for cause was cut off from all the privileges of the Church.
This discipline has practically fallen into abeyance, people for
the most part excommunicate themselves. In the English Prayer Book
is an Office called "A Commination, or Denouncing of God's Anger
and Judgments against Sinners, with certain Prayers, to be used
on the First Day of Lent," which was set forth until the ancient
Discipline may be restored.
Exhortation.--The name given to the short addresses in the Prayer
Book, beginning, "Dearly Beloved Brethren." The Exhortation was
introduced into the Daily Offices in 1552 and 1661. Formerly Morning
and Evening Prayer began with the Lord's Prayer, but the Revisers
thinking this too abrupt a beginning they introduced the Sentences,
Exhortation, Confession and Absolution as a more fitting preparation
for the worship that follows. It has been pointed out that {105} this
Exhortation was probably inserted under the impression that the
people at large were extremely ignorant of the true nature of
worship at the time. Five principal parts of worship are mentioned
in it: (1) Confession of Sin, (2) Absolution, (3) Thanksgiving and
Praise, (4) Hearing God's Word, and (5) Prayer for spiritual and
bodily benefits. The Exhortations in the Communion Office were
originally set forth in 1548, revised in 1552 and 1661. They were
introduced at a time when the laity of the Church of England were
in danger of two extremes: First, a total neglect of the Holy
Communion which had sprung up during the Middle Ages, and secondly,
that fearful irreverence towards the Holy Communion which arose
from the dreadful principles held respecting it by the Puritans. In
the face of these dangers, these Exhortations were placed where they
are, for the instruction of the people as well as for hortatory
purposes.
Expectation Sunday.--The Sunday following Ascension Day is so
called. Being the only Lord's Day which intervenes between the
Ascension of our Lord and the Descent of the Holy Ghost, it
represents that period during which the Apostles were obeying the
command of their Master when "He commanded them that they should
not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father."
They remained therefore, in the city _expecting_ the Gift of the
Comforter which was bestowed on the Feast of Pentecost.
Expectation Week.--The week preceding Whitsun Day is so called.
(See EXPECTATION SUNDAY.) {106}
F
Fair Linen Cloth, Fair White Linen Cloth.--In the Communion Office
there are two rubrics, the first of which reads as follows: "The
Table, at the Communion time having a _fair white linen cloth_ upon
it," etc. By this is meant the long linen cloth the breadth of the
top of the Altar and falling over the ends eighteen or twenty
inches. The other rubric reads, "When all have communicated, the
Minister shall return to the Lord's Table, and reverently place
upon it what remaineth of the consecrated Elements, covering the
same with a _fair linen cloth_." By this is meant the lawn chalice
veil. It is to be noted that when this rubric was made, the word
"fair" meant _beautiful_. The white linen cloth can be made
"fair," _i.e._, beautiful by means of embroidery, and this
is done by embroidering upon it five crosses to symbolize the five
wounds of our Blessed Lord on the Cross, and by having the ends
finished with a heavy linen fringe. Also, the lawn chalice veil is
made "fair" by being similarly beautified with embroidery, a cross
being worked near the edge.
Faith.--"Divine, or as it is called, Catholic Faith is a gift of
God and a light of the soul; illuminated by which, a man assents
fully and unreservedly to all which Almighty God has revealed and
which He proposes to us by His Church to be believed, whether
written or unwritten. It is also a belief in the whole Gospel, as
distinguished from a reception of some portion of it only; and it
is a faith so full of the love of God as that it leads us to act
differently from what we {107} should if we did not believe and
marks us out as a peculiar people among men."--From Manual of
Instruction.
From the above definition we learn that Faith has a twofold
meaning, (1) the act of believing, and (2) the thing believed, or
the deposit of Faith or Doctrine which all members of Christ are
bound to receive. This Deposit of Faith is embodied in the Holy
Scriptures but is summarized for us in the Articles of the Creed
which are grouped around the Name into which we are baptized,--the
Father, and the Son and the Holy Ghost. In the American Church two
forms of the Creed are used, viz. the APOSTLES' and the NICENE
(which see). These embody "the Faith once delivered to the Saints."
Faithful, The.--The New Testament and Prayer Book name for all the
Baptized, who, being admitted into the Household of Faith, are the
people of the Faith--_fideles_, that is, _believers_.
Faldstool.--Literally, a portable folding seat, similar to a camp
stool, and formerly used by a Bishop when officiating in any church
other than his Cathedral. The name now is generally applied to the
LITANY DESK (which see).
Fasting.--Going without food of any kind as a religious discipline
and as a help to the spiritual life, especially on the great Fasts
of the Church. The Homily on Fasting says: "Fasting is found to be
of two sorts; the one outward, pertaining to the body; the other
inward, in the heart and mind. The outward fast is an abstinence
from meat, drink and all natural food, for the determined time of
fasting; yea, from all {108} delicacies, pleasures and delectations
worldly. The inward fast consists in that godly sorrow which leads
us to bewail and detest our sins and to abstain from committing
them."