metimes used to cover the chalice till after the people
have communicated. (3) The _burse_ is a kind of purse or pocket in
which the corporal and pall are kept.

ALTAR RAILS. Archbishop Laud, 1640, ordered that the Holy Table
should be placed at the east end of the chancel, and protected from
rude approach by rails. They do not appear to have been in general
use in the Western Church before the Reformation; although it is
probable their use in the side chapels of Cathedrals is early. It
is hard to say whether by the Latin word _cancelli_ is meant the
chancel-screen or the altar-rails, in some cases probably the
latter. The use of altar-rails is ancient in the Eastern Church.
The space within the rails, where the altar stands, is called the
sanctuary.

ALTAR SCREEN. A screen behind the altar.

ALTAR VESSELS. Flagon, Chalice or Cup, and Paten. To these may be
added the _cyborium_, a covered vessel, placed upon the altar of
Roman Catholic churches, and holding the consecrated host. Altar
vessels from very ancient times have usually been made of the most
costly materials which the congregation using them could afford.
The flagon appears to be the vessel in which the wine is placed
before consecration. The chalice, or cup, that in which it is
consecrated, and administered to the people. The paten is the plate
on which the bread is consecrated, and from which it is dispensed
to the people. A second plate is used for the unconsecrated bread,
and is placed, with the flagon, on the Credence Table.

ALTRUISM, _see_ Comtism.

AMBULATORY, or PROCESSIONARY. The continuance of the aisles round
the east end of a church, behind the altar.

AMEN. A Hebrew word meaning "So be it," and thus it is explained in
the Catechism. The same word in the Greek is rendered the "Verily,
verily" of our Lord's parables. It should be said aloud by every
member of the congregation, as testifying his assent to the prayer
or praise offered, who thus makes it his own. St. Jerome says the
primitive Christians at their public offices "echoed out the Amen
like a thunderclap."

When printed in the Roman character in our Prayer Book it is for
the minister to say alone; when in Italics, it is for the people
to say, and not for the minister.

AMICE, _see_ Vestments.

ANABAPTISTS, _see_ Baptists.

ANDREW'S (St.) DAY. Nov. 30th. St. Andrew appears to have been a
disciple of the Baptist before he became a follower of our Lord.
He was the means of bring