Gifts of the Holy Ghost, Sevenfold.--The gifts bestowed on the
Baptized by the Laying on of Hands in Confirmation, viz.: "the
spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and
ghostly strength, the spirit of knowledge and true godliness and
the spirit of holy fear," as enumerated in Isaiah 11:2. These gifts
may be briefly interpreted as follows:
WISDOM, to choose the one thing needful.
UNDERSTANDING, to know how to attain it.
COUNSEL, the habit of asking guidance of God.
STRENGTH, to follow where He shall lead.
KNOWLEDGE, that we may learn to know God.
GODLINESS, that knowing Him we may grow like Him.
HOLY FEAR, meaning reverence and adoration.
Girdle.--A white cord to confine the alb at the {122} waist: used
at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. (See VESTMENTS.)
Girls' Friendly Society.--A Society of young women organized in the
American Church in 1877, and is a branch of a similar Society in
the Church of England. The society has for its object the spiritual
welfare of girls and young women through association and friendship
with one another. The Society has (in 1901) 16,316 members in the
United States and 4,022 associate members. A monthly magazine, the
G. F. S. A. _Record_, is published as the official organ of the
Society. Headquarters, the Church Missions House, New York City.
Gloria in Excelsis.--Meaning "Glory in the Highest," the title of
the final hymn in the Communion Office. It is called the "Greater
Doxology," and also, the "Angelic Hymn" as it is based on the song
of the angels at Christ's Birth, which forms its opening words. The
_Gloria in Excelsis_ is the oldest and most inspiring of all
Christian hymns. Its author and the time of its composition are
unknown, but it was in use in the very earliest ages of the Church
as a daily morning hymn. Its introduction into the Liturgy appears
to have been gradual. The first words of it are found in the Liturgy
of St. James, from which fact we learn that the germ of it was
evidently used in Apostolic times. It is interesting to note that in
ancient Liturgies the _Gloria in Excelsis_ was placed at the
beginning and not at the end of the Communion Office. It occupied
such a position in our own Liturgy until A.D. 1552, when it was
placed after the Thanksgiving. By the rubric permission is {123}
given to use a hymn instead of it, and this is often done during
Advent and Lent, thus reserving the _Gloria in Excelsis_ for use
in more joyous seasons such as Christmas, Easter, etc.
Gloria Patri.--Meaning "Glory to the Father," the first words of the
short anthem used after each Psalm and elsewhere in the services,
viz. "Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without
end. Amen." It is often called the "Lesser Doxology." The _Gloria
Patri_ has been used in Christian worship from the beginning and is
traceable to the Baptismal formula. Its frequent use in our
services is not a vain repetition, as some suppose, but is very
devotional and helpful to increased earnestness in worship, drawing
our thoughts from man, his wants and experiences, and directing
them to the Triune God, the Author and Giver of every good and
perfect gift. Sung after the Psalms it gives to them a Christian
meaning and interpretation. In accordance with the ancient usage
_the Gloria_ is said with bowed head as an act of worship and of
faith, and is also said facing the Altar or East. (See EAST,
TURNING TO.)
Gloria Tibi.--The Latin title of the words of praise sung when the
Holy Gospel is announced in the Holy Communion, viz. "Glory be to
Thee, O Lord." This _Gloria_ also comes down to us from the ancient
usage of the Church. It is said with the bowed head as an act of
worship.