I
Ichthus.--The Greek word for FISH (which see).
I. H. S.--The first three letters of the Greek word for JESUS, and
equivalent to the English letters J. E. S. They are largely used
in Church decorations as symbols of the Holy Name.
Immersion.--The dipping into the water of recipients of Holy
Baptism. For the relative importance of _Immersion_ and _Affusion_,
see article on AFFUSION.
Immovable Feasts.--Those Feasts of the Church which always occur on
the same date such as {143} Christmas Day, Feast of the Epiphany,
etc. As some of the Feasts, such as Ascension Day, Whitsun Day,
etc., are movable depending on the time Easter is kept. Tables and
Rules for the Movable and Immovable Feasts are set forth in the
Prayer Book for convenience and to avoid confusion. (See CHRISTIAN
YEAR, also FEASTS AND GOSPEL.)
Imposition of Hands.--A technical term for the _Laying on of Hands_
by the Bishop in Confirmation. Wheatley on the Prayer Book remarks:
"This is one of the most ancient ceremonies in the world. It has
always been used to determine the blessing pronounced to those
particular persons on whom the hands are laid, and to signify that
the persons, who thus lay on their hands, act and bless by divine
authority. Thus Jacob blessed Ephraim and Manasses, not as a parent
only, but as a prophet. Moses laid his hands on Joshua, by express
command from God, and as supreme Minister over his people; and thus
our Blessed Lord laid His Hands upon little children and blessed
them, and upon those that were sick and healed them. . . . And the
Apostles, from so ancient a custom and universal a practice,
continued the rite of _Imposition of Hands_ for communicating the
Holy Spirit in Confirmation, which was so constantly and regularly
observed by them, that St. Paul calls the whole office, _Laying on
of Hands_," and it may be added one of the first "principles of the
Doctrine of Christ" (Hebrews 6:1 and 2).
This term also refers to the Laying on of Hands by the Bishop in
Ordination to the Sacred Ministry, by which is conferred the grace
of Holy Order, and one {144} is admitted to the Office and work of
a Deacon, of Priest or Bishop, "which Offices were evermore had in
such reverend estimation, that no man might presume to execute any
of them except he were first called, tried, examined and known to
have such qualities as are requisite for the same; and also by
public Prayer, with _Imposition of Hands_, were approved and admitted
thereunto by lawful Authority." (Preface to Ordinal in Prayer Book.)
Incarnation, The.--A Latinized name for the act by which the Second
Person of the Blessed Trinity, God's Only Son, the Eternal "Word
was made Flesh," _i.e._, took our nature upon Him; and also for
the Doctrine that "the Godhead and Manhood were joined together in
one Person never to be divided" (II Article of Religion). This
truth is embodied for us in the Creed, in the words, "Jesus Christ,
His Only Son our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of
the Virgin Mary." This great outward fact is the foundation of all
that follows: upon it Christianity depends and all Christian Doctrine
has reference to it. By reason of the Incarnation the Church as a
living Body becomes Christ's Body on earth, and in the Church and
by means of it man is brought into union with Him who is the
beginning of a new race, the Head of a new and spiritual creation.
Thus it is that the Sacraments, which are often called the
"Extension of the Incarnation," become more than they seem. They
are the means of our participation in Christ's Holy Humanity, and
of our growing into His likeness, as we use them with faith and
true repentance. {145}
Incense.--Incense is one of the Six Points of Ritual which it is
claimed have always characterized the worship of the Christian
Church. It was the practice of the Church of England up to the
Reformation, and even after that was frequently used. It is used in
many Churches at the present time. It is more of a Scriptural usage
than a Roman use, and while there is no canon or enactment forbidding
its use, yet in the present state of our Church life it is not
likely to become a very popular restoration for some time to come.
Incumbent.--A term peculiar to the English Church but frequently
used in this country to designate the Rector of a Parish. The word
means one who holds or is in possession of any office; it occurs
in the Institution Office.
Infant Baptism.--If the Church were simply a voluntary society
founded on the Bible, as is commonly supposed, there would be no
special reason why Infants should be baptized, except as a matter
of sentiment. If, on the other hand, the Church is a Divine
Institution, founded on Christ and His Apostles, and is declared
in Holy Scripture to be the Mystical Body of Christ, in which we
are united to Him, admitted into covenant with God and so brought
into a new relationship with God, then _Infant Baptism_ is not only
one of the most reasonable, but one of the most urgent doctrines of
the Christian Religion, because it is in Holy Baptism that all these
blessings are vouchsafed to us. (See BAPTISM, HOLY.) By this
Sacrament the youngest infant is lifted up, so to speak, out of the
world of nature and transplanted into {146} Christ's spiritual
kingdom. It becomes thus a child of grace. Its little life is made
right with God. The old evil of our race has been rectified. It is
henceforth not only a child of Adam, but also a child, or member of
the second Adam, Jesus our Lord. By its new Birth in Holy Baptism,
the child becomes as fully incorporated into the new and spiritual
race of which Christ is the Head, as ever it was incorporated into
the race of mankind by its natural birth. It may not be conscious of
this, any more than it was conscious of its natural birth, but it
has, nevertheless, made a right beginning through the thoughtful care
of others. It has, by this ministration, been grafted into the Body
of Christ. It has been put in the way of true spiritual growth and
training. Henceforth it may be brought up as "the child of God" and
not as an alien. To this end the church gives it spiritual
caretakers, whose duty it is to see that this child is virtuously
brought up to lead a Godly and a Christian life according to this
beginning. This is the meaning of _Infant Baptism_; and the Church
has always regarded such Baptism as a reasonable and benevolent
work, as is exemplified by her universal practice from the beginning.
The "Mercy to Babes" in the Old Dispensation has not been lost out
of the New, the Dispensation of the Spirit of love, which brings to
all, even to the _infant_, as well as to its parents, God's mercy
which "He promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed
forever." (See NAME, THE CHRISTIAN.)
Inhibit.--Meaning to restrain or prohibit the exercise of the Sacred
Ministry; a discipline exercised by a Bishop for cause. {147}