. A _Deist_ acknowledges the existence of a God, but denies
the existence and necessity of any revelation.

DENOMINATIONS. There appear to be about 180 Denominations having
Places of Meeting for Religious Worship in England and Wales. Among
these there are--

8 "Armies," besides the Salvation Army.
9 Baptist Sects.
20 Methodist Sects.

DESK. The name usually given to the "reading-pew," mentioned in the
rubric before the Commination Service, where morning and evening
prayers are said or sung. In 1549 it was directed that the Service
should be said "in the Quire" and "with a loud voice." This was done
by the Priest near to, and facing, the Altar. In 1552 the Service
was directed to be said from such a place as the people could best
hear. This direction caused a great commotion, one party retaining
their old position in the Chancel, the other performing all services
in the body of the Church. In 1559 the rubric before the Order
for Morning Prayer was brought into its present shape, and the
"accustomed Place" would undoubtedly be the Chancel, but still the
discretion left with the "Ordinary" sanctioned the use of the
unsightly "reading-pew" or _desk_, which is occasionally found
outside the Chancel and in the body of the Church.

DEUS MISEREATUR. Psalm lxvii., inserted in the Evening Service for
occasional use instead of the Nunc Dimittis in 1552.

DIGNITARY. One who holds cathedral or other preferment to which
jurisdiction is annexed. "One who holds an ecclesiastical rank
above a priest or canon." (Chambers' Etymological Dictionary.)

DIMISSORY LETTERS. When a Candidate for Holy Orders is ordained by
some Bishop other than the one in whose diocese he is going to work,
it is because the ordaining Bishop has received leave, or _Letters
Dimissory_, from the candidate's rightful Diocesan.

DIOCESE. The extent of a Bishop's rule. England at present is
divided into 32 dioceses; 23 being in the Province of Canterbury,
and 9 in the Province of York. It is to be very earnestly wished
that these dioceses may be sub-divided, and the number of Bishops
increased, that the Church may be more able to cope with the
enormously increased population.

DISSENTERS. A _civil_, not a _religious_ term, and denotes those who
have diverged from the civilly established religion of a country.
Episcopalians are Dissenters in Scotland, Christians are Dissenters
in Turkey. In England all are Dissenters who do not belong to the
Church