Communion Service says that the Priest is to wear "a white albe
plain, with a Vestment or Cope," and the assisting Priests or
Deacons, "Albes with tunicles," or Dalmatics. At other Services
in Parish Churches the ministers were to use a surplice and, in
Cathedrals and Colleges, the hood of their degree. At a celebration
a Bishop was to wear a Surplice or Albe, and a Cope or Vestment.
In 1552 the Ornaments Rubric ran thus:--"The Minister, at the time
of the Communion, and at all other times of his ministration, shall
use neither Albe, Vestment, nor Cope; but, being Archbishop
or Bishop, he shall have and wear a Rochet, and being Priest
or Deacon, a Surplice only." In 1559 this Rubric was altered
thus:--"The Minister....shall use such ornaments in the Church
as were in use by authority of Parliament in the second year of
Edward VI., according to the Act of Parliament set forth in the
beginning of this book." This Act spoke of authorizing the Queen
to ordain other ceremonies; but whether she did so or not,
according to this Act, has been a matter of controversy. But in
the "advertisements" of Archbishop Parker (1566), no other vestment
than the Cope and Surplice is named. In 1662 the Rubric was altered
into its present form.
As a matter of history, it seems unquestionable that, with a few
exceptions, all vestments except the Surplice and Hood in Parish
Churches, and Copes in some Cathedrals, were disused after 1564.
Within the last 25 years, the use of the old vestments ordered in
the first Prayer Book, and authorized by Parliament, has been
revived on the authority of the Rubric of 1662. The Privy Council,
however, has, rightly or wrongly, pronounced against the legality
of the revival of the vestments named in the Rubric. (See
_Vestments_.) (2.) The ornaments of the Church are discussed under
the headings of _Altar_, _Altar Lights_, &c. In Canons 80 to 84
among the things pertaining to the Church are enumerated (1) a
great Bible and Prayer Book, (2) a Font of stone, (3) a "decent
Communion Table covered in time of Divine Service with a carpet
of silk or other decent stuff," (4) the "Ten Commandments to be
set up" and "other chosen sentences written," (5) a Pulpit, (6) an
Alms Chest.
ORTHODOX. Sound in doctrine according to the consentient testimony
of Scripture and the Church. The opposite is _heterodox_.
PALM SUNDAY. The Sunday next before Easter, so called from palm
branches being strewed on the road by the multitude, when our
Saviour made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
PANTHEISM. From two Greek words meaning "all" and "God." It is a
subtle kind of Atheism, which makes God and the universe the same,
and so denies the existence and sovereignty of any God over the
universe. What may be called Natural Religion partakes largely of
Pantheism.
PAPISTS. Roman Catholics. The term is derived from Papa, a title
restricted in the West to the Pope. In the Greek Church it is the
title of all parish priests.
PARABLE. In the New Testament a figurative discourse, or a story
with a typical meaning. In the Old Testament it sometimes signifies
a mere discourse, as Job's parable, Job xxvi-xxxi. inclusive. The
Parable, in the New Testament sense, was and is a common mode of
expression in the East.
PARISH. "That circuit of ground which is committed to the charge
of one parson or vicar, or other minister." Some think England
was divided into parishes by Archbishop Honorius, about the year
630. There are instances of Parish Churches in England as early as
the year 700. The cause of the great difference in the extent of
different parishes is explained by the fact that churches were most
of them built by lords of the manor for their tenants, and so the
parish was the size of the lord's manor. In 1520 the number of
Parish Churches was between 9,500 and 10,000. There are now about
13,500 Benefices; and many more District and Mission Churches, and
Chapels of Ease.
PARSON. The Rector or Incumbent of a Parish, when the income of the
living is derived from land. It represents two Latin words,
'Persona Ecclesiae,' the ecclesiastical _person_ of a place.
PASSING BELL. A bell tolled now _after_ the death of a person. The
67th canon orders "When any one _is passing_ out of this life, a
bell shall be tolled, and their minister shall not then be slack
to do his last duty." Thus the beautiful idea of calling for the
prayers of the Church, by the tolling of a bell, for the dying
person is altogether lost sight of by our modern custom.
PASSION WEEK, _see_ Holy Week.
PASTOR. Literally, a _shepherd_: hence one who shepherds souls.
PASTORAL STAFF. A Staff shaped like a crook, which a Bishop shall
either bear "in his hand" or else have "borne or holden by his
chaplain." This is the direction of a rubric in the Prayer Book of
1549, and which is still the law of the Church according to the
present Ornaments Rubric.
PATEN, _see_ Altar Vessels.
PATRON. The person who has a right to present to a benefice.
PAUL (St.), THE CONVERSION OF, January 25. The festival of St.
Paul is not, as usual, of the day of his martyrdom, but of his
miraculous conversion, and it is upon this, rather than on his
wonderful character and work, that the services lay stress.
PECULIARS. Parishes exempt from the jurisdiction of the Bishop of
the Diocese in which they lie. They were for the most part abolished
in the reign of William IV.
PENANCE. In the law of England penance is an open ecclesiastical
punishment for sin. This discipline of the Church has fallen
into disuse, a fact deplored in the opening exhortation of the
Commination Service. Absolution after penance has been exalted
into a Sacrament in the Church of Rome.
PENITENTIAL PSALMS. Seven psalms, from their internal character,
are thus called, viz., 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143. These are
appointed to be read on Ash-Wednesday.
PENTECOST. A solemn festival of the Jews, so called because it is
celebrated _fifty days_ after the Passover. It corresponds to the
Christian Whitsuntide, which is sometimes called by the same name.
PERPETUAL CURATE. The incumbent of a church, chapel, or district,
within the boundaries of a rectory or vicarage. His position is
in every respect that of a Vicar.
PESSIMISM. A philosophy which acknowledges the evils that are in
the world, but instead of looking for a "new heaven and a new earth"
it looks for release in unconsciousness. It is the religion of
doubt, and hopelessness, and despair. It makes _the worst_ of
everything.
PETER'S (St.) DAY. June 29. This festival, originally a festival
of both St. Peter and St. Paul, on the traditional anniversary of
their common martyrdom, is of great antiquity, certainly known
from the 4th century, and kept both in the East and West on this
day. The institution of the festival of the Conversion of St. Paul
has now transferred the commemoration of that Apostle to another
day, January 25th.
PEWS. Enclosed seats in churches. They did not come into use until
the middle of the 17th century, and almost belong to the past now.
But long before pews there were appropriated seats. The first
mention of a "reading pew," or desk, in the body of the church,
for the minister, is in 1596: previous to that time his place
was in the chancel.
PHILIP (St.) AND St. JAMES'S DAY. May 1. There seems to be no
adequate reason for the coupling together of these two Apostles.
In the Greek Church their festivals are observed separately. Of St.
Philip we have notices only in St. John, and early tradition speaks
of his preaching in Pamphylia. Of St. James the Apostle, the son of
Alphaeus, sometimes supposed to be the same as "James the Less," or
the Little, of Mark xv. 40, we know nothing except his name in the
Apostolic catalogue. In the Epistle for this day he is identified
with James, the brother of the Lord, surnamed the Just, and author
of the Epistle bearing his name. But this identification is very
uncertain.
PISCINA. A drain for water, usually accompanied with decorative
features, near the altar on the south side. It was formerly used
to pour away the water in which any sacred vessel had been washed.
In many churches the Piscina is the only remaining trace of where
an altar has been.
PLYMOUTH BRETHREN. The name is a misnomer. They call themselves
merely "Brethren," and instead of originating in Plymouth, their
principal source was near Dublin. They date from 1827, and their
existence is a protest against all sectarianism, they holding that
there should be a _visible_ unity among Christians. They decline
to be looked upon as one of the many sects into which Christianity
is divided, and refuse to be identified with any.
They hold in great esteem the primitive constitution of the Church,
and trust largely to the power of prayer for the supply of their
temporal necessities. They have no recognised ministry, but any
one believing himself to be inspired of the Spirit may address
their meetings.
POLITY, ECCLESIASTICAL. The constitution and government of the
Christian Church, considered as a society. The great book on this
subject is Hooker's immortal work.
POPE. From _Papa_, Father, a title anciently given to all Christian
Bishops; but at the end of the 11th century it was assumed
exclusively by Gregory VII., Bishop of Rome, whose successors'
peculiar title it has ever since continued. (See _Papists_.) There
are but few instances of the exercise of the papal power in England
before the Norman Conquest, nor has the Church of England ever
wholly submitted to papal rule. (See _Church of England_.)
POSITIVISM, _see_ Comtism.
PRAYER-BOOK, _see_ Liturgy.
PREACHING. Proclaiming the truths of religion. The term is not
necessarily to be limited to what are called sermons, as we see by
Acts xv. 21, "Moses of old time hath in every city them that
_preach_ him, being _read_ in the synagogues every Sabbath day."
Hooker, in his fifth book, cleverly argues against the exaltation
of sermons as being _the_ means of grace to the detriment of other
parts of public worship, a custom prevalent in his time among the
Puritans, and now among most of the dissenting sects.
PREBENDARY. A clergyman attached to a Cathedral Church, who
anciently enjoyed a _prebend_, or stipend, arising from some
part of the Cathedral property, in return for his officiating at
stated times in the Cathedral. The appointment is now often
honorary. (See _Canon_.)
PRECENTOR. The leader of a choir. In almost all Cathedrals of old
foundation in England, and very generally on the Continent, the
precentor was the first dignitary in the chapter, ranking next
to the dean. He superintended the choral service and the choristers.
In all new foundations the precentor is a minor canon, holding a
rank totally different from, and inferior to that of his namesake
of the older foundation. (See Minor Canon.)
PREDESTINATION, _see_ Election. The 17th Article treats of
Predestination, but in such a way as to make it very difficult
to comprehend what it teaches with regard to this most controverted
subject. It seems designedly drawn up, in guarded and general
terms, on purpose to embrace all persons of tolerably moderate
views. (See _Arminianism_, _Calvinism_, _Antinomianism_.)
PRELATE. Generally a Bishop, but strictly an ecclesiastic having
jurisdiction over other ecclesiastics.
PRESBYTER. A Greek word signifying an _Elder_. In the Christian
Church a _presbyter_ or _elder_ is one who is ordained to a certain
office, and authorized by his _quality_, not his _age_, to discharge
the several duties of that office and station in which he is placed.
In this large and extended sense, Bishops were sometimes called
_presbyters_ in the New Testament, for the apostles themselves
did not refuse the title. Priests are in an ordinary sense the
presbyters of the Church, and in the Scotch Liturgy, compiled in
the reign of Charles I, the word _presbyter_ is substituted for
that of _priest_. (See _Orders_.)
PRESBYTERIANS. A Protestant sect which maintains that there is no
order in the Church superior to presbyters, and on that account
has separated from the Catholic Church. This sect is established
by law in Scotland, where there nevertheless exists a national
branch of the Catholic Church, under canonical Bishops. Of course
the establishment or disestablishment of a sect in no way alters
its position as being, or not being, a branch of the Catholic
Church. From time to time considerable secessions have occurred
in Scotland from the Established Church, the principal being the
"_United Presbyterian Church_," and the "_Free Church of Scotland_."
English Presbyterians are not to be confounded with Scotch
Presbyterians, the former being the main supporters of Socinianism
and Rationalism in this country.
The "_Presbyterian Church of England_" has 10 presbyteries, 275
congregations, 56,099 communicants.
PRESENCE, REAL, _see_ Communion, Holy, part iv. The Homily on the
Sacrament asserts, "Thus much we must be sure to hold, that in
the Supper of the Lord there is no vain ceremony or bare sign,
_no untrue figure of a thing absent_; but the communion of the
body and blood of our Lord in a marvellous incorporation, which,
by the operation of the Holy Ghost, is, through faith, wrought in
the souls of the faithful."
PRESENTATION. The offering of a clerk to the Bishop by the patron
of a benefice, for institution.
PRIEST, _see_ Presbyter, & Orders, Holy.
PRIMATE. A "Primate" is the highest in rank in a National Church.
The Archbishop of Canterbury is Primate of all England, but is
without power in the province of York. The Archbishop of York is
Primate of England.
PROCESSION OF THE HOLY GHOST. The doctrine that the Holy Ghost
_proceeds_ from the Father and the Son. It is an incomprehensible
mystery, and in thinking of it we shall do well to remember the
words of Gregory Nazianzen to an objector; "Do you tell me how the
Father is unbegotten, and I will then attempt to tell you how
the Son is begotten, and the Spirit proceeds." The Eastern or
Greek Church (which see) split from the Western on this question
of the procession of the Holy Ghost, believing that the eternal
procession is from the Father alone, and not from the Son.
PROCTOR A name given to the clergy elected by their brethren to
represent them in convocation. The same name is given to those
officers of the universities of Oxford and Cambridge whose duty
it is to guard the morals, and preserve the quiet of the university.
PROFESSOR. A public teacher in a university.
PROTESTANT. The term is now used of all who _protest_ against
Popery. It was originally given to those who _protested_ against
a certain decree issued by the Diet of Spires in 1529.
PROVINCE. The limit of an Archbishop's jurisdiction, as a diocese
is the limit of the jurisdiction of a Bishop. (See _Archbishop_ and
_Diocese_.)
PSALTER. The word _Psalter_ is often used by ancient writers for
the book of the Psalms, considered as a separate book of Holy
Scripture; but the term is generally used now of the book in which
the Psalms are arranged for the public service of the Church. The
Roman Psalter, for instance, does not follow the course of the
Psalms as in the Bible, but arranges them for the different
services. The division of the Psalms into daily portions, as
given in our Prayer Books, has been done with a view to convenience.
The _Psalter_, properly speaking, is a separate book from that of
Common Prayer. The English Psalter does not follow the last
translation of the Bible (which is the authorized one), but that
of Coverdale's Bible, corrected, which had become familiar to
the people from constant use.
PUBLIC WORSHIP. The united Service of the Congregation. A Christian
duty very much neglected by the laity, notwithstanding the Apostolic
direction not to forsake "the assembling of ourselves together."
(Heb. x. 25.) Formerly the law of the land compelled every
parishioner to attend public worship, unless excommunicate. There
is a special blessing promised to the assembly of believers for
common prayer and praise. "Where two or three are gathered together
there am I in the midst of them." (Matt, xviii. 20.) "The Lord
loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob"
(Ps. lxxxvii. 2.) Both in the Old Testament and New Testament this
duty holds a prominent place.
PUBLIC WORSHIP REGULATION ACT. An Act of Parliament, passed in
1874, for the better administration of the Laws respecting the
regulation of Public Worship. Under this Act any three aggrieved
Parishioners, calling themselves members of the Church of England,
though not necessarily Communicants, may report to the Bishop
anything their clergyman does which they believe to be unlawful.
The Bishop may use his discretion whether proceedings are to
be taken against the clergyman on the representation of his
parishioners. If the litigious parties prefer it, the case may be
taken out of the Bishop's hands and brought before a Judge appointed
under this Act--at present Lord Penzance.
The workings of the Act have been far from satisfactory to any, and
in many cases have given rise to grave scandal.
PULPIT. A raised desk. Sermons were formerly delivered from the
steps of the Altar. By Canon 83, a raised desk, called a pulpit,
is ordered in every church, from which the preacher is to address
his flock.
PURGATORY. A place in which souls are, by the Romanists, supposed
to be purged from carnal impurities, before they are received into
heaven. The Council of Florence, 1439, first gave an authoritative
decree concerning Purgatory,--"If any who truly repent depart from
this life before that by worthy fruits of repentance they have
made satisfaction for their sins of commission and omission, their
souls are purified after death, and to relieving these pains, the
suffrages of the faithful who are alive, to wit, the sacrifice of
masses, prayers, alms, and other pious works, are profitable. But
whether purgatory is a fire, or a mist, or a whirlwind, or anything
else, we do not dispute."
The idea of Purgatory was very early broached by individuals. St.
Augustine, 398, speaks of it as a thing which "possibly may be
found so, and possibly never;" the Venerable Bede says it is "not
altogether incredible." Origen, in the 3rd century, is by some
thought to have been the first to teach distinctly the doctrine
of Purgatory, but his view differs altogether from the Roman.
Article xxii. gives the view of the Church of England on this
subject. "Purgatory... is a fond thing, vainly invented, and
grounded upon no warranty of Scripture, but rather repugnant to
the word of God." However, in the celebrated "Essays and Reviews"
case, the point arose in respect of a doctrine, scarcely discernible
from that of Purgatory, being taught by Mr. H. B. Wilson, and the
Privy Council decided that there is no condemnation of it in the
Anglican formularies. The teaching of Article xxii. is borne out
by the following: Luke xxiii, 43; Phil. i 23; 2 Cor. v. 8; Rev.
xiv. 13; and many other passages.
PURIFICATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. February 2nd. The
alternative title (the "Presentation of Christ in the Temple,")
suggests the lesson to be drawn from all the services of the day.
The name "Candle-mas Day" is derived from the custom of a procession
with torches, superseding (it is thought) the heathen festival of
torches to Ceres in the early part of February, with a reference
to the true "light to lighten the Gentiles." Exodus xiii. 1-17 (the
proper lesson for the day) gives the Mosaic law of the dedication
of the first-born.
PURITANS. A name assumed by the ultra-Protestants in the reigns of
Elizabeth, James I., and Charles I. The following chapter of history
is often much misrepresented by the enemies of the Church:--In the
time of the great Rebellion seven thousand English clergymen,
having refused to take the covenant, were ejected from their
livings, their places being supplied by dissenting teachers. At
the Restoration it was required that all those persons who had
thus become possessed of the property of the English Church should
either conform to the regulations of the Church, or resign. Of all
the Puritan clergy then in possession only fifteen hundred refused
to conform. These fifteen hundred were ejected, and from what? From
their rights? No; from what they had usurped. More than five
thousand conformed and still retained possession of their benefices,
so that but few of the loyal English clergy who had been ejected
regained their rights even at the Restoration.
QUAKERS. A sect owing their origin to George Fox, a cattle-drover,
in 1624. They are also called the "Society of Friends." The first
assembly for public worship was held in Leicestershire in 1644. The
Society is diminishing in numbers in the United Kingdom. The body
is much more numerous in America. Three gradations of meetings or
synods--monthly, quarterly, and yearly--administer the affairs of
the Society. Fit persons are chosen by monthly meetings as _Elders_,
to watch over the religious duties of the members. They make
provision for their poor, none of whom are ever known to require
parochial relief. At the monthly meetings also marriages are
sanctioned. Monthly meetings being limited to a certain circuit,
several monthly meetings compose a quarterly meeting, at which
general reports are given and appeals heard. The yearly meeting has
the general superintendence of the Society. In case of disputes among
Friends the matter is submitted, not to law, but to arbitration.
Their solemn affirmations are accepted in lieu of oaths. The chief
rule of their faith is that the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so
guides and teaches them that the Bible and all else is subordinate
to this inward monition of the Spirit. Their ministers may be either
male or female, the only qualification necessary being the immediate
inspiration of the Holy Spirit. They decline to define in any way
the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. They deny the necessity of any
outward sign accompanying Baptism, it being a wholly spiritual
matter. Also they affirm that taking or receiving the Eucharist is
not of perpetual obligation. And they condemn all war, even in
self-defence, as unlawful for Christians.
The _Society of Friends_ consists of about 12,000 members, 254
recorded ministers, and about 400 unrecorded; and in England and
Wales they have 317 places of worship. As a rule their moral
character is excellent, and they are very valuable members of
society.
QUINQUAGESIMA SUNDAY. The _fiftieth_ day before Easter, reckoning
in whole numbers.
QUESTMEN. The same as Synod's men, or Sidesmen. (See _Churchwardens_.)
RATIONALISM. There are two ways by which the human mind can attain
to a knowledge of the truth; first by receiving a divine revelation
of it, and secondly by means of observation and reasoning. The name
of _Rationalism_ is given to that school of thought which believes
that the latter of these two ways is of itself fully sufficient for
the attainment of all truth.
READING DESK, _see_ Desk.
READING IN. Every incumbent upon entering his living is obliged
to read the Thirty-nine Articles, and to give his assent thereto
publicly, in Church, on some Sunday nearly following his appointment.
He must also read the Morning and Evening Prayer, and declare his
assent to the Prayer Book. A certificate to that effect has to be
signed by the Churchwardens. The whole ceremony is known as that
of "_reading in_."
REAL PRESENCE, _see_ Presence, Real.
RECTOR. A clergyman who has charge of a parish, and who possesses
all the tithes. The distinction between a Rector and Vicar is that
the former has the whole right to all the ecclesiastical dues within
his parish, whereas the latter is entitled only to a certain portion
of those profits, the best part of which are often absorbed by the
impropriator.
REFORMATION. The great revolt in Europe in the 16th century against
the Papacy. The rescue of our Church from the usurped dominion of
the Pope, and its restoration from the corruptions of Popery to
primitive purity was then effected. (See _Church of England_.)
REFRESHMENT SUNDAY The fourth Sunday in Lent is so called probably
because the Gospel for the day relates the miracle of the feeding
of the five thousand. It is also frequently called Mid-Lent Sunday.
In several parts of England it is known by the name of _Mothering
Sunday_, from an ancient practice of making a pilgrimage to the
Mother Church, usually the Cathedral, of the neighbourhood on this
day. The comparatively modern and local custom of young men and
women going home to visit their parents on this day is probably a
survival of the older practice.