IN

ALTARS AND DOSSELS OF VILLAGE CHURCHES.

N the arrangement and decoration of the altar of a village church, where but small sums of money can be expended, it is recommended that the altar cloth be of green colour, in the first instance, and afterwards that separate frontals of the other colours be obtained by degrees. The most important colour, and that which should be the most richly embroidered, should be the white frontal, as being used at all the principal feasts of our Blessed LORD. It is suggested that the best effect is obtained in embroidery, if gold be used upon green and crimson, silver and scarlet upon white, and white upon violet or purple. It is better to use conventional flowers than crosses upon altar frontals, or diapers. If there be no constructional Reredos behind and above the altar, a hanging of cloth, silk, or damask should be placed. If it is changed according to the colours of the seasons, rings should be fastened to it, and it should hang upon a rod; but if not, it might be stretched on a frame, or affixed in any

other way to the wall. If permanent, white, or white bordered with blue or scarlet, is recommended, i. e. if the walls around are coloured; but if they are whitewashed, some colour, green or scarlet, should by all means be used. There should always be an altarledge. Its height should, if possible, never be less than eight inches. Upon it should stand at least two candlesticks with wax tapers, and between them a material cross, of oak, brass, or more precious metal. Flowers in vases, when used, should always be placed upon the super-altar.

FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR.

"ALTARE, in solemnibus festis, floribus seu veris seu

FLO

fictis exornandum."-Gavantus, tom. ii. par. 5.

FLOWER-VASES.

LOWER-VASES should be very carefully wiped out immediately after use, especially those of latten or other metal. They should be thoroughly cleaned before being put away in a dry cupboard, and should be occasionally rubbed with washleather. If they are enamelled still greater care should be taken in cleansing them.

These great Feasts have a proper preface, in addition to Easter Day, Whit Sunday, and Trinity Sunday, and, with the exception of the last-named, are kept with an octave.

N.B.-The fifth Sunday in Lent is called Passion Sunday-the

sixth, Palm Sunday.

N.B.-March 17, S. Patrick's Day, is peculiarly and especially observed in the sister communion of Ireland. The following Festivals likewise are now specially commemorated by the English Church:

STR

TRICT silence should be observed, except a reasonable cause presents itself, and then whispering only is permitted.

II. The lay-clerks and choristers will take their cassocks and surplices in an orderly and becoming manner, having previously said the usual "Prayer before Service" and "On vesting with the surplice." On returning from the church they will carefully replace them from whence they were taken.

III. When the signal is given by the sacristan or master of the ceremonies, the clerks and choristers will arrange themselves in processional order so as to proceed to the choir.

1 These Feasts have now no special Collect nor Service.

N.B.-The anniversary festival of the dedication of a church, college, or religious house is kept with an octave as a feast of devotion, though under the patronage of a Saint not so commemorated.

IV. No boy should be allowed to vest with soiled hands, face, &c. or dirty shoes. There should be a lavatory provided in every outer sacristy.

V. The Clergy should not proceed to vest for any function in soiled clothes or shoes. A brush should be kept in the sacristy, that when necessary they may clean their ordinary clothes before vesting. It is also convenient to have a well-stocked pin-cushion, which is often required for a deacon's stole, &c.

N.B.-There should always be an inner sacristy, into which alone enter the Priest, Sacred Ministers, acolytes, and ceremoniarius. It is the duty of the sacristan to close the door, so as to prevent the entrance of any one not authorised to be there. The choir will vest in the outer sacristy. No females should be admitted into the inner sacristy on any plea whatever. They may speak, on particular business, to the Priest or Sacristan in the outer sacristy, but as rarely and for as short a time as possible. Every inner sacristy should have a platform for the Priest to vest upon.

CLEANSING OF CHURCH FURNITURE.

I.

ONCE every quarter the altar should be entirely

stripped, so that every thing about it may have the benefit of fresh air. And at the same time all the ornaments, linen, &c. connected with it should be well cleansed.

II. The altar vestments should be thoroughly dusted, and hung up in a room to get fresh air, they should all be well brushed with a soft brush of feathers, care being taken that the embroidery, &c. be not injured in so doing.

III. The foot-pace and sanctuary should be swept at the least twice in a week.

IV. Candlesticks, flower-vases, altar-crosses, &c. of metal should, if possible, not be touched with the bare