rld," "the Sun of
righteousness," and recalls how ancient tradition, following a seeming
intimation of Holy Scripture, says that our Lord will come from the
east at His second advent: "As the lightning cometh out of the east,
and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of
man be."

_Vestments._--Much may be said for the use of a distinctive dress in
the holy offices of the Church. It is in accordance with ancient
usage; it marks the action of the Minister as not personal, but
official; it secures dignity and uniformity, and it is also, like the
dress of the priests in the old Jewish Church, "for glory and for
beauty."

The American Church has no law upon the subject of vestments. Their
use is simply a matter of traditional custom. Those here described
have come down to us from our mother Church of England. Not all here
mentioned are in use in all places, nor need it be assumed that all are
equally desirable.

"The _Cassock_ is a long coat, close-fitting, reaching to the feet, and
buttoned down the front. It is generally of black, except in cathedral
churches and for Bishops and cathedral dignitaries, when the {108}
episcopal purple may appropriately be used. A cincture, or broad sash,
sometimes confines the cassock at the waist.

"The _Surplice_ is of linen, generally with no opening in front, but
with sufficient aperture in the neck to allow it to be easily passed
over the head. It should fall somewhat below the knees. The sleeves
are flowing and of considerable width at the wrist."

[Illustration: The surplice]

"The _Stole_ is a strip of silk about three inches wide and eight and a
half feet long, with ends ornamented by embroidery and fringed. The
Priest wears it around his neck, the ends hanging down over the front
of the surplice. Deacons wear the stole suspended over the left
shoulder, except at the Holy Communion, when it may be brought across
the back and breast and be fastened at the right side."

The vestments for the celebrant at the Holy Communion are as follows:

The _Alb_, which may be described as a long linen garment somewhat like
a surplice, with close-fitting sleeves, reaching nearly to the ground.
It is frequently embroidered at the foot before and behind {109} and at
the end of the sleeves. These pieces of embroidery are called
"apparels." The alb is confined at the waist by a white cord called
the girdle.

[Illustration: The Alb]

Around the neck is