_Sitting during the Lessons._--What is the origin of the congregation
remaining seated, while the first and second lessons are read, in the
church service? The rubric is silent on the subject; it merely directs
that the person who reads them shall stand:--
"He that readeth so standing and turning himself, as he may best
be heard of all such as are present."
With respect to the practice of sitting while the epistle is read, and
of standing while the gospel is read, in the communion service; there is
in the rubric a distinct direction that "all the people are to stand up"
during the latter, while it is silent as to the former. From the silence
of the rubric as to standing during the two lessons of the morning
service, and the epistle in the communion service, it seems to have been
inferred that the people were to sit. But why are they directed to stand
during the gospel in the communion service, while they sit during the
second lesson in the morning service?