THE CHURCH.

Q. What Church is this that you attend?

A. The Episcopal Church.

Q. Why is it called "Episcopal?"

A. Because it is governed by a body of men known as episkopoi, or Bishops.

Q. How long has this Church been in existence?

A. More than eighteen hundred years, having been founded by Jesus Christ.

Q. Why is it necessary to lay stress on the time it has existed?

A. Because within the last four hundred years several religious societies formed by men have sprung up, each claiming to be the true Church of Christ.

Q. Are you convinced that Christ founded but one Church?

A. Yes; moreover He prayed that His people might be kept from divisions, "that they all may be one" (John xvii. 21).

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Q. Who is the greater and wiser, God or man

A. God.

Q. If God founded a religious society ought it not to be better, in every respect, than any founded by men?

A. Yes.

Q. In attaching yourself to a religious society in which would you seek membership

A. In that (the Church) founded by Christ 1,850 years ago.

Q. Is it true that Henry VIII. founded the Church of England, and so the Episcopal Church in this land?

A. No; the Church of England was established about the first century, most likely by St. Paul, long before Henry VIII. was born.

Q. What positive proof from history can you give that the Church was established very early in Britain?

A. The fact that in the sixth century, when the Bishop of Rome, Gregory, sent missionaries to England, they found a Church already planted there having the three Orders of the Ministry.

Q. What did the Roman missionaries 00055do when they found that there was a well-established Church in England?

A. They united with the English clergy in converting the heathen Saxons.

Q. Why did they form this union?

A. Because "each recognized the other as a true branch of the Church Catholic (not Roman Catholic), with its apostlic ministry."

Q. What was the result of this union?

A. The Roman branch of the Church, being more powerful than the English, "the Bishop of Rome succeeded in tyrannizing over the Church of England for three or four hundred years."

Q. What else did the Bishop of Rome do?

A. "Through his influence, some of the false doctrines and evil practices of the Church in Italy were introduced into England."

Q. What did the Church of England do in the sixteenth century?

A. She saw an opportunity of throwing off "the false doctrines and evil practices of the Church in Rome," and did so.

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Q. What may we conclude from all that has been said?

A. First: That the Church of England was never founded by Henry VIII. Secondly: That the Church of England is not a split from the Roman Catholic Church.

Q. Now, since this Church was founded by Christ are we obliged to become members of it?

A. "Yes, for Christ says: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned."

Q. Is the saying, "One Church is as good as another," true?

A. No: for if this were true, the different "Churches" (religious societies founded by men) would unite and become one.

Q. What would be one result of this union?

A. The Parishes would be better off financially, and would not have occasion to resort to fairs, bazaars, etc., to fill their treasuries.

Q. Does the existence of so many religious societies produce a good effect?

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A. No; for ofttimes men's souls are lost while trying to decide which is the best one "to join."

Q. By what particular name is the Church known in the Apostles' Creed?

A. The Holy Catholic Church.

Q. Does this mean the Roman Catholic Church?

A. No; that is but one branch of the Catholic Church.

Q. What is the meaning of the word "Catholic?"

A. Universal.

Q. Holy Universal Church would then mean the same as "Holy Catholic," would it not?

A. Yes, just the same.

Q. What phrase in the Te Deum expresses the Universality of the Church?

A. "The Holy Church throughout all world doth acknowledge Thee."

CHURCH GOVERNMENT AND THREE ORDERS OF THE MINISTRY.

Q. If the Church is a society, what must follow of necessity?

A. That it must have officers.

Q. Have all the officers of the Church equal authority?

A. No; the Bishops are the chief officers, the Priests coming next, and the Deacons last.

Q. What does the government of the Church by Bishops prevent

A. Schisms, or "splits," which are so frequent among some religious societies.

Q. Is it not wrong for Christian people to raise dissension in the Church and bring about these divisions?

A. Yes, it is wholly contrary to the teaching of our Blessed Lord.

Q. Is there any positive proof that there have always been three Orders of the Ministry?

A. Yes; both from the Scriptures, and also from the testimony of reliable and trustworthy men.

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Q. Were there three Orders in the Jewish Church?

A. Yes; High-priest, Priest, and Levite.

Q. What passage in Scripture speaks of the three orders?

A. Phil. i.1.

Q. By what name were the three Orders of the Ministry known during time of the Apostles

A. They were known as Apostles, Presbyters, and Deacons.

Q. Is a Priest the same as a Presbyter?

A. Yes, both mean the same.

Q. Is there any harm in calling a Minister a Priest when he has been lawfully ordained to that office?

A. None whatever; our Saviour Jesus Christ is a Priest. "Thou (Christ) art a Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek" (Psalm ex. 4)

Q. If the Priesthood be ridiculed what follows?

A. That Christ is ridiculed.

Q. What learned man in the Early Church refers again and again to the three orders of the Ministry?

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A. St. Ignatius, who was bishop of Antioch.

Q. How long will the Church exist?

A. Until the end of the world.

Q. If this is the case what follows?

A. That it must have a succession of officers.

Q. Who must these be?

A. The same three orders, Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.

Q. Do all the Religious Societies around us possess the three Orders of the Ministry?

A. No, they have discarded them altogether.

Q. Is this right?

A. No; for if these men were members of secret societies (and a large number of them are) they would never do away with their chief officers.

Q. What do they show by such action?

A. That they have exalted institutions devised by men over the Church whose builder and maker is God.

Q. What branches of the Church still hold to the Three Orders?

A. The Protestant Episcopal, in 001111America; the Church of England, throughout the British dominions; the Greek Church, and the Roman Catholic.

Q. How ought those religious societies to be regarded which have not the three Orders, and that validly?

A. They may be regarded as a part of the Church, by virtue of Baptism with water in the Triune name, but imperfect as to their organization.

Q. Do persons, as a rule, become members of any societies that are not provided with a full and proper set of officers?

A. No, they exercise great care in associating themselves with firms or corporations, and they see to it that they have the proper officers, as required by law.

Q. Can these officers appoint themselves?

A. No; they must be appointed (or elected) by those having authority to do so.

Q. What should follow from the above?

A. That persons becoming members 001212of a religious society should see to it that it has the proper officers.

Q. But is there not a certain religious society (Methodist) which claims to have bishops?

A. Yes; but it is only a "claim;" for the men whom they call bishops did not receive ordination from those who had the authority to ordain bishops, i.e., from real Bishops.

Q. What fact ought to be well-grounded in the minds of all Christians?

A. That without Bishops, Presbyters, and Deacons "there is no Church."

Q. In what light must ministers (?) be regarded who have not received ordination from the hands of true Bishops?

A. As mere laymen.

PREPARATION FOR THE MINISTRY.

Q. What ought persons to do who wish to become ministers in the Church?

A. They ought to prepare themselves 001313for their sacred calling by diligent study under some minister, or in a Theological Seminary.

Q. May this preparation be omitted?

A. No; nothing of importance can be done well without preparation.

Q. Why did such a long time elapse before Christianity made its advent into the world?

A. Because the world was being prepared for Christianity as well as Christianity for the world.

Q. What was the result of this preparation?

A. When Christianity came, its teachers found a precise and accurate language (Greek) in which to express its principles.

Q. What else did they find?

A. Well-built roads all over the Roman Empire, which made it possible for the Apostles and other ministers to travel long distances.

Q. Do you know of any persons who spent the greater portion of their life in preparing for the ministry?

A. Yes; Jesus Christ and his fore-runner, John the Baptist.

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Q. What great influence were they able to exert partly as a result of this preparation?

A. Thousands of people came from Jerusalem, Judea, and the regions round about, to listen to their teachings.

Q. What followed?

A. The conversion of large multitudes, who were baptized, confessing their sins.

Q. Were not the Apostles also duly prepared for their ministry?

A. Yes, they "followed" Christ for three years, and were taught by Him. Aside from this, some of them were able and learned men.

Q. What ought to be learned from all this?

A. That illiterate and ignorant men should not be ordained as Ministers in the Church of Christ.

Q. Are there any such men preaching the Gospel?

A. Yes (especially here in the South, some of the "preachers" being rude, ignorant men, unable to read).

Q. Is it right to encourage ignorance?

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A. No.

Q. "Can the blind lead the blind?"

A. No, or they will "both fall into the ditch."

Q. What is the rule for persons who desire to enter the Ministry of the Episcopal Church?

A. They must either be college graduates, or pass a thorough examination in several advanced subjects required of students at College.

Q. What next?

A. They must present a certificate, testifying to their good character, to the Dean of the Theological Seminary, where they have to spend three years in hard study.

Q. Is this thorough preparation for the Ministry perfectly right and proper?

A. By all means. If men prepare themselves thoroughly for business, as well as for the legal and medical professions, they should by all means prepare themselves for the vocation of the Ministry.

BAPTISM.001616

Q. By what rite are persons admitted in the Church?

A. Holy Baptism.

Q. What forms of Baptism does the Episcopal Church practise?

A. Pouring and immersion.

Q. Persons who have scruples about receiving Baptism by "pouring" can have it by immersion, then, can they not

A. Yes.

Q. Is immersion the only proper way of administering Baptism?

A. No.

Q. Is it true that because Christ went "into" the water and came up "out" of the water, that he went under the water --was immersed?

A. No; persons often go "into" the water, and come "out" of the water, without having been "under" the water.

Q. How does this happen?

A. From the fact that the depth of the water might not be sufficient to immerse one's self.

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Q. If it be true, as some teach, that all the baptisms in Palestine were by immersion, what would follow?

A. That all the pools and streams were deep enough to admit of immersion.

Q. Would this be true?

A. No; for no country is without some shallow streams, some of these being but ankle deep.

Q. If "immersion" be the only true mode of Baptism, what follows?

A. That the millions of persons baptized by "pouring" are not Christians, and are doomed to eternal damnation.

Q. Is this charitable?

A. No; and no fair-minded person would entertain such a thought.

Q. Would it be prudent to baptize by immersion a person confined to his bed by sickness?

A. No; for the shock would doubtless hasten death.

Q. What does "christen" mean?

A. It means to baptize.

Q. When you say, then, that a child has been christened, what do you mean?

A. That it has been baptized.

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Q. How many times ought a person to be baptized?

A. Once only.

Q. Should children (or grown persons) who have been baptized in the Episcopal Church ever be baptized again?

A. Never.

Q. How ought the Sacrament of Baptism to be performed?

A. Solemnly, reverently, and devoutly; every kind of disorder and ostentation should be suppressed.

Q. Where ought baptism to be performed?

A. In the church; but in cases of sickness it may be performed at home.

NFANT BAPTISM.

Q. Have infants always been admitted into the Church?

A. Yes.

Q. At what age were they admitted in the Jewish Church?

A. When they were eight days old.

Q. By what rite were they admitted?

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A. Curcumcision, which God commanded to be received.

Q. What did this rite do?

A. It gave to the children membership in the Jewish Church.

Q. If infants were members of the Church in olden times, it is wrong for them to be members now?

A. Certainly not.

Q. What Sacrament has taken the place of circumcision?

A. Baptism.

Q. What did our Saviour say to his disciples when they drove away the little children that were brought to him

A. He said: "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of God" (Mark x. 14).

Q. What did St. Peter tell the people who were converted on the Day of Pentecost?

A. "For the promise (of the Holy Ghost) is to you and your children."

Q. Are there any instances in Holy Scripture where whole families were baptized?

A. Yes' "Lydia and her household; 002020the jailer and all his; and the household of Stephanas" (Act xvi. 15, 33; 1 Cor. i 16).

Q. What do you find in nearly every household

A. Children.

Q. Is it likely that these three households contained no children?

A. No; for the word itself implies the presence of children.

Q. Is there any testimony from the ancient historians concerning Infant Baptism?

A. Yes; Origen, Augustine, Irenaeus, and others all speak of Infant Baptism.

Q. Is the fact that Jesus was not baptized until he was grown up any argument against Infant Baptism?

A. No; for he had been received into the Jewish Church at eight days old.

Q. how long had Infant Baptism been in practice before it was objected to?

A. Fifteen hundred years.

Q. Would God have suffered it to go on so long if it had been wrong?

A. No.

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Q. What do those Christians do who do not believe in Infant Baptism?

A. They "bless" the children.

A. Why do they do this?

A. Because they believe that God's blessing descends upon the little ones.

Q. If blessings are conferred when infants are "blessed," is it not reasonable to suppose that when they are baptized they obtain like blessings?

A. Most decidedly.

Q. Do parents wait until their children grow to manhood before sending them to school?

A. No; they send them to school sometimes at a very early, age.

Q. If the secular education of the child is begun early, is it necessary that the spiritual education be attended to early?

A. Yes.

Q. Since in the State guardians are appointed for children, can it be wrong for sponsors to take the vows for children in the Church

A. No.

Q. What ought persons to do who have young children?

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A. They should have them baptized as soon as possible.

Q. What should children do whose parents have neglected to have them baptized?

A. They should urge their parents to have them baptized.

Q. What persons ought to be selected as sponsors?

A. First of all, they must be Church-men; secondly, they ought to be sober, devout, and godly persons. They should be faithful attendants upon the services of the Church.

Q. Are parents very careful in this Matter?

A. No; they often select as sponsors ungodly men and women, some of whom never enter the Church.

CONFIRMATION.

A. What rite follows Baptism?

A. Confirmation.

Q. What does Confirmation do?

A. It makes firm the New Life received in Baptism.

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Q. Can it, then, be considered unnecessary

A. No; for the Christian needs all the spiritual strength that he can get.

Q. By whom alone must Confirmation be administered?

A. By Bishops.

Q. How do they Confirm?

A. By laying their hands on the heads of the candidates.

Q. Can you give any Scriptural authority for Confirmation?

A. Yes; the first and second verses of the sixth chapter of Hebrews mention it.

A. Quote the verses.

A. "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance, of faith, of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgement."

Q. What did the Apostles do when they heard that Philip the Deacon had baptized the Samaritan converts

A. They sent Peter and John to lay 002424their hands on their heads ( i.e., confirm), that they might receive the Holy Ghost.

Q. What does this show?

A. That it was necessary for the converts to receive Confirmation; and also that "it could only be performed by the highest order in the ministry, the Apostles."

Q. Was there any rite in the ancient Jewish Church analgous to Confirmation?

A. Yes; the presentation of children in the Temple, at the age of twelve, when they took upon themselves the vows which their parents had made for them in infancy.

Q. What do the modern Jews call this presentation

A. Confirmation.

Q. Are there any other proofs, Besides those given in Scripture, that Confirmation has always been practised in the Church?

A. Yes. Tertullian says: "Hands were laid on those who were baptized, the officiating Bishop by this benediction invoking the Holy Spirit."

002525

Q. What does Jerome, who lived in the forth century, say?

A. "As for those who are baptized in the less towns by the Presbyters and Deacons, the Bishop travels out to them to lay hands on them, and invoke the Holy Spirit."

Q. Do the Bishops to-day do the same?

A. Yes; they make annual visitations over their dioceses in order to perform the rite of Confirmation.

Q. What is the Bishop's regular time for visiting this parish?

A. The first Sunday after Easter.

FORMS OF PRAYER.

Q. "Are prescribed forms of prayer for public worship sanctioned by Scripture?"

A. "Yes, the public worship of the Jewish Church was according to prescribed forms of prayer."

Q. "What do we find in Deut. xxi., 5-8?"

002626

A. Various forms of prayer to be used by the people on certain public solemnities.

Q. Did the Jews have any Prayer Books?

A. Yes, Sinclair says, "The Jews had books of prayer, containing services for the Passover, the marriage, the burial, for times of joy and sorrow, and the Psalms."

Q. Do the Jews of to-day use forms of prayer?

A. Yes. "On the seventh day they meet and chant the same Hebrew Psalter, and use the same ancient liturgy which was used by their fathers two thousand years ago."

Q. What may we conclude from all these facts?

A. "That forms of prayer were not only authorized, but commanded by God in the Jewish Church."

Q. What kind of a song was that which Moses and the Israelites sang after their deliverance from Egypt?

A. It was a precomposed song, written expressly for the occasion.

Q. If it were not precomposed would 002727they have been able to join intelligently in the singing of it?

A. No.

Q. Did our Lord sanction forms of prayer?

A. Yes; "both by precept and example." He attended the services of the Temple and Synagouge, in which forms of prayer were used.

Q. Would he have taken part in these services if it were wrong to use forms of prayer

A. No.

Q. What form of prayer did our Lord give to his disciples?

A. The Lord's Prayer.

Q. "When our Lord entered the temple and drove out the money-changers, did he denounce forms of worship?"

A. "No; Sabbath after Sabbath he and his disciples attended and joined in the Jewish ritual."

Q. Is the Episcopal Church "the only one which worships after a form?"

A. No, " every congregation worships after a form;" and ministers who do not use written prayers in public, often 002828write them out beforehand and commit them to memory.

Q. What does so-called extempore prayer become?

A. Nothing more or less than a form, as we see from the oft-repeated "Heavenly Father, we bless thee;" "we thank thee," etc.

Q. Haven't a great many Christians who object to forms Manual which contains the whole service for the Burial of the Dead just as in our Prayer Book.

Q. Which do you suppose would be the better prayer, one offered up "on the spur of the moment," without premeditation, or "one formed the united wisdom and piety of the Holy Church for ages past?"

A. The latter, of course.

Q. What does the average extempore (?) prayer amount to?

A. Nothing short of a wild harangue which tends to provoke laughter rather than reverence and solemnity.

Q. Oughtn't those religious denominations 002929who object to forms of prayer object to psalms and hymns also?

A. Yes; for they are "devotional compositions in the form of prayer and praise."

Q. If it be proper to pray and praise God in poetry is it not also proper to pray to him in prose

A. Certainly.

Q. What lines can you repeat bearing on this point?

A. "Crito freely will rehearseForms of prayer and praise in verse;Why should "Crito then supposeForms are sinful when in proseMust my form be deemed a crimeMerely for the want of rhyme?

Q. What does Dr. Dwight, one of the greatest Congregationalists in the country, say of prayers?

A. "In both methods (formal and extempore) men may be excellent Christians and worship God in an acceptable manner."

Q. What does the Rev. Albert Barnes, an eminent and well-known Presbyterian clergyman, say?

A. "We have never doubted that 003030many of the purest flames of devotion that rise from the earth ascend from the altars of the Episcopal Church."

POSTURE IN PRAYER.

Q. What are the proper postures to be assumed when praying to Almighty God, and especially in Public Worship?

A. Holy Scripture sanctious kneeling and standing; some Christians preferring the former, others the latter mode.

Q. What does David say in the ninety-fifth Psalm?

A. "Let us worship and bow down, let us kneel down before the Lord our Maker."

Q. Does he say anything about sitting up in the seats to pray, as a great many people do

A. No; he expressly says " kneel down."

Q. How did Daniel pray?

A. "He kneeled upon his knees three times a day and prayed."

Q. What did Solomon at the dedication of the Temple?"

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A. Solomon kneeled down upon his knees before the alter.

Q. Is there anything said in the New Testament of persons kneeling to pray?

A. Yes; Jesus "kneeled down, and prayed" (Luke xxii. 41).

Q. Ought we to follow the example of Jesus?

A. Yes.

Q. Can you mention any other person in the New Testament who "kneeled down" and prayed under the most unfavorable circumstances?

A. Yes; Stephen while being murdered knelt down and prayed.

Q. When the hymns are being sung what ought we to do?

A. Stand up.

Q. What passage of Scripture speaks of standing up when "praises are sung?"

A. Neh. ix. 5. "Stand up and bless the Lord your God."

Q. How ought we to join in the services of the Church?

A. When the Psalter is read we ought to respond audibly, distinctly, and 003232heartily; we should sing lustily; and at the end of each prayer say "Amen" heartily.

MINISTERIAL GARMENTS, OR VESTMENTS.

Q. What is the name of the white garment with wide sleeves worn by the minister?

A. A surplice.

Q. Of what is it an emblem?

A. Of the innocence and purity with which God's ministers ought to be clothed.

Q. What is the name of the long, black, close-fitting robe?

A. A cassock.

Q. What is the name of the band of silk that hangs around the clergyman's neck and comes down in front

A. A stole.

Q. Has the Church good grounds for allowing her clergy to wear these vestments?

A. Yes: for God commanded "the Jewish priesthood to wear vestments in the service of the Temple."

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Q. If there were anything improper in the minister of God wearing these garments, would the Lord have given them his sanction?"

A. Certainly not.

Q. What does Dr. Adam Clarke, a Methodist, say concerning ministerial garments?

A. "The white surplice in the service of the Church is almost the only thing that remains of those ancient and becoming vestments which God commanded to be made for glory and beauty."

Q. What does the celebrated Dr. Chalmers (Presbyterian) say?

A. "In the antipathy to priestly garments, and in the controversies which have been raised about them, I can take no share."

Q. Moreover, isn't it a fact that "all over the world," and in every age, a difference of costume has Marked a difference of office?

A. Yes, here in our own country there are many illustrations.

Q. Name some.

A. "The Judges of the Supreme 003434Court of the United States wear a black gown while upon the bench; and the Army and Navy adhere to a professional dress while on duty."

Q. "Is it not a well-known fact that persons in public societies and secret orders wear badges, or regalia, indicative of their office?"

A. Yes.

Q. If this is proper in such societies is it not "equally proper that the Minister of God should be clothed in a manner appropriate to his office while he is engaged in its solemn duties?"

A. Most assuredly.

Q. When objection is made to the Church because its Ministers wear these vestments what ought we to reply?

A. That the objector should insist upon the officers laying aside their uniform, and members of different societies their badges and regalia.

CHANGE OF HEART.

Q. Is the phrase "Change of Heart" found in the Bible?

A. No.

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Q. What does it mean?

A. St. Paul expresses its meanning the terms, "repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ."

Q. "Does our Church teach these doctrines?"

A. Yes.

Q. What is required of persons to be baptized

A. Repentance, whereby they forsake sin; and Faith, whereby they steadfastly believe the promises of God made to them in that Sacrament."

Q. Do we not, then, believe and teach all that is implied in a "change of heart?"

A. Yes.

Q. Ought the Church to be blamed for not using a phrase not found in Scripture?

A. No; it would be uncharitable.

Q. What does the term "conversion" in (modern) popular usage stand for

A. Regeneration and Sanctification.

Q. In the Baptismal Office what does the minister say after he has baptized the "persons?"

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A. "Seeing now, dearly beloved brethren, that these persons are Regenerate."

Q. What is the work of the Holy Spirit as explained in the Church Catechism?

A. Sanctification: "I belive in God the Holy Ghost, who Sanctifieth me and all the people of God."

Q. Can any one, then, say truthfully that the Episcopal Church does not believe in "conversion?"

A. No.

Q. Is it necessary for persons to give any so-called religious "experience" before their admission in the Church?

A. No; when persons have been truly converted they need but "to renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomps and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the sinful desires of the flesh, so that they" will "not follow nor be led by them."

Q. What else?

A. "To believe all the articles of the Christian Faith as contained in the Apostles' Creed;" and to keep God's 003737holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of their life.

Q. Are not these very stringent rules concerning admission to membership in the Church?

A. Yes; and they do away with the erroneous idea that persons can become members of the Episcopal Church without making a profession of faith.

REVIVALS AND PRAYER-MEETINGS

Q. Does the Episopla Church object to revivals?

A. No; for she has two great revival seasons herself--Advent and Lent.

Q. When do these seasons occur

A. Advent is the month before Christmas, and Lent six weeks before Easter.

Q. What great fact is brought before the minds of the people at Advent

A. "The coming of our Lord as Saviour and Judge."

Q. What at Lent

A. "His suffering to save sinners."

Q. What are "parochial missions?"

003838

A. Continuous services, with very earnest preaching, employed "to arouse the careless and indolent," and "to bring the truth to bear upon men's hearts and lives."

Q. But while it is true that we have revival meetings are we not also "persuaded that a steady course of earnest teaching is better than any spasmodic efforts?"

A. Yes; for "in the end men are more benefited by the orderly, quiet, but persistent appeals to reason and conscience than by the exhortations of the revivalist."

Q. Is it true that the Episcopal Church objects to prayer-meetings?

A. No; in a great many parishes the people meet for prayer twice (Morning and Evening) every day in the year.

Q. Is this daily prayer-meeting a rule of the Church?

A. Yes.

PSALTER, TE DEUM, ETC., ETC.<

Q. What is the Psalter?

A. It is the name given to the Book of Psalms.

Q. Where and how is it read?

A. Immediately before the Lessons at Morning and Evening Prayer, alternately by the minister and the congregation.

Q. What are the Lessons?

A. They are selected portions of Scripture from the Old and New Testaments, that from the Old Testament being read first.

Q. What is the Venite?

A. It Is "the first chant in the morning service," beginning with the words "O come, let us sing."

Q. What is the Te Deum?

A. An ancient hymn beginning "We praise Thee, O God."

Q. What is the Epistle?

A. A portion of Scripture (usually taken from one of the Epistles) read immediately after the Commandments.

Q. What is the Gospel?

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A. A portion of one of the four gospels read immediately after the Epistle.

Q. What is the "Collect for the day?"

A. A short prayer which usually has some connection with the Epistle and Gospel.

Q. What is the Gloria Tibi?

A. It is the sentence, "Glory be to Thee, O Lord," and is "sung before the Gospel is read."

Q. What are the Versicles?

A. They are little verses said alternately by the Minister and the people, such as "The Lord be with you." "And with thy spirit."

Q. What is the Gloria Patri?

A. It is the doxology "Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost," sung immediately after the recitation of the Psalms and Chants.

Q. What is the Benedicite?

A. An ancient hymn used at Advent and Lent instead of the Te Deum.

Q. What is the Gloria in Excelsis?

A. The angelic hymn used in the communion service, and sometimes at 004141Morning and Evening Prayer, commencing, "Glory be to God on high."

Q. What is the Litany?

A. A general supplication beginning with the words, "O God, the Father of heaven, have mercy."

Q. What is the Magnificat?

A. It is the Virgin Mary's song of praise recorded in Luke i. 46-56, and is sung at Evening Prayer immediately after the First Lesson.

Q. What is the Nunc Dimittis?

A. It is the song of thanksgiving said by the aged Simeon after he had seen the Child Jesus. It is sung immediately after the Second Lesson.

Q. What one great benefit do members of the Episcopal Church derive by attending the services regularly?

A. They hear the Bible read, intelligently, from Genesis to Revelation.

Q. Can there be any reasonable objection to the use of crosses in the Church?

A. No; the soldier's emblem is the flag. And since Christians are soldiers they too ought to have some emblem of Christian warfare.

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Q. Why is John the Baptist so-called?

A. Because he was John, the Baptizer.

Q. Where do the souls of the departed go

A. To Paradise.

Q. What did Christ say to the Thief on the cross?

A. "To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise."

Q. When did Christ ascend up into heaven

A. On Ascension Day, forty days after his Ressurection

Q. Is it true, as some people teach, that when we die we go to heaven at once?

A. No; if the souls of the departed went at once to heaven there would not be any need of a Judgement Day.

CHURCH SUPPORT.

Q. How ought the Church to be supported?

A. By the voluntary offerings of the people, given systematically.

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Q. What was the practice of the ancient Jews?

A. They gave a tenth of their possessions to the Church.

Q. What did some of the early Christians do toward the support of the Church?

A. They "sold their estates, and laid the price of them at the Apostles' feet, to be disposed by them as the necessities of the Church required."

Q. Do you know of any heathen nations who gave "tithes" to their gods?

A. Yes; "The Carthaginians sent the tithe of their spoils taken in the Sicilian war to Hercules of Tyre;" the Ethiopians paid tithes to their god Assabinus; "Sylla, the Roman general, dedicated the tenth of all his estate to Hercules; and the inhabitants of the Isle of Tiphnus presented every year the tenth of the gold and silver digged out of their mines to Delphian Apollo."

Q. What lesson does this teach?

A. That if the heathen were so liberal in their gifts to the gods, Christians ought to be doubly so in their offerings.

CHURCHES TO BE HELD SACRED.

Q. How ought churches to be regarded?

A. As sacred places set apart for the worship of Almighty God.

Q. Whence do they derive their sanctity?

A. By the solemn act of consecration performed by the Bishop.

Q. What does this act of consecration prohibit?

A. The use of the church for concerts, mass-meetings, or anything of a secular nature.

Q. What ought we to do on entering the church?

A. We should go quietly to our seats and kneel in silent prayer; on rising from our knees, if there is time, we should read over the opening sentences.

Q. What ought we to do when the services are over?

A. After kneeling and saying a silent prayer, retire as quietly as possible, 004545avoiding the loud and boisterous conversation so common in some churches.

Q. What does Lev. xix. 30 say concerning reverence in God's house?

A. "Ye shall reverence my Sanctuary."

SOME THINGS TO REMEMBER.

Always be on time at Sunday School.

Be regular in your attendance.

Never miss a Sunday except through sickness.

Always be on the lookout for new scholars, so by diligence you may win a Missionary Prize.

Try, good conduct, regular attendance, and punctuality, to have your name on the Honor Roll.

Remember Missionary Sunday--the first Sunday of each month.

SOME RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES IN THE UNITED STATES.

Name of Society.When founded.By whom.The Holy Catholic andApostolic Church,founded at JerusalemIntroduced into Englandby St. Paul, or a pupilof the Apostles A.D. 64,and called the Church ofEngland; subjected tothe usurpation of anItalian Bishop from theeleventh century to thebeginning of thesixteenth century; freedand reformed in thesixteenth in thesixteenth century;introduced into America,1607, and called theChurch of England inthe Colonies Name changedto ProtestantEpiscopal after theRevolution, 1789. A.D. 33 Jesus Christ and his Apostles. Presbyterian1520-60John Knox.Congregationalist1583Robert Brown.Baptist1639Roger Williams.Christian1800James O'Kelly.Methodist1784John Wesley.From Bishop Doane's Manual of Christian Doctrine, Senior Grade.

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