cruets_ containing the wine and the water for the ablutions at the
close of the service. When the communicants are not too many, a part
of the wine from the cruet is poured into the chalice at the proper
time; but if a large number are to communicate, the _flagon_, a large
vessel of silver, is used to hold the wine and is placed on the
credence.

Nothing should be placed on the Altar itself but the _Altar-desk_, for
holding the book of the Altar-service, and the Altar-vessels. These
are usually the _paten_, or plate for holding the bread at the
Celebration, and the _chalice_, the cup for the wine. There is
sometimes a spoon with a perforated bowl to use in case any foreign
substance is found in the chalice. If possible these vessels should be
of precious metal. They are sometimes adorned with jewels.

{40}

A rubric directs that at the time of the Communion the Altar shall be
covered with a "fair white linen cloth" ("fair," that is, not only
clean, but beautiful). Another "fair linen cloth," commonly called the
"linen chalice veil," is also directed to be used for covering the
consecrated elements after the communion of the people. To these
custom has added other convenient and seemly appointments of linen and
silk.

The "chalice veil" is a square of silk, embroidered and often fringed,
used to cover the vessels before the consecration.

The "pall" is a square of cardboard covered with linen, used to cover
the chalice during the Celebration.

The "corporal" is a square of linen spread upon the Altar at the
Celebration, upon which the vessels are placed.

The "purificators" are small napkins of linen for cleansing the vessels
after the service.

The "burse" is a square, stiff pocket of silk over cardboard, in which
the Altar-linen is carried to and from the Altar.

The color of the chalice veil and the burse follows that of the season.
The linen pieces are always white. They are supposed to represent the
cloths {41} which were wound around our Lord's sacred body and wrapped
about His head at His burial.

You will see the reason for thus making the Altar a place of dignity
and beauty, and for these various provisions for reverence in the
sacred rite celebrated there, if you will recall what we have already
seen of its meaning. We show honor to and reverence the Altar and its
worship as the place and the performance of the highest act of divine
worship, in which, by the ministry of His Church and acco