lled _Sponsors_,
because they _respond_ or answer for the baptized. They are also
called _Sureties_, in virtue of the _security_ given by them to the
Church, that the baptized shall be "virtuously brought up to lead
a Godly and a Christian life." They are also called _Godparents_
because of the spiritual affinity created in Baptism when they
undertake a responsibility almost _parental_ in the future training
of the baptized. In the Church of Rome Godparents may not intermarry.
Anciently only one Sponsor was required. Their action at the font
may be likened to that of those who brought the man sick of the
palsy to our Lord. (Mark ii.)

Although it is not necessary to have Sponsors for the validity of
Baptism, still the rule of the Church of England requires that
"There shall be for every male child to be baptized two Godfathers
and one Godmother; and for every female, one Godfather and two
Godmothers." (Rubric.) And Canon 29, "No person shall be urged to
be present, nor be admitted to answer as Godfather for his own
child; nor any Godfather or Godmother shall be suffered to make
any other answer or speech, than by the Book of Common Prayer is
prescribed in that behalf. Neither shall any person be admitted
Godfather or Godmother to any child at Christening or Confirmation,
before the said person so undertaking hath received the Holy
Communion." Parents are now allowed to act as sponsors for their
children.

STALLS. Seats in the choir, or chancel.

STEEPLE, _see_ Spire.

STEPHEN'S (St.) DAY. Dec. 26th. A festival in honour of the
proto- (first) martyr, St. Stephen. He was one of the seven
deacons, and all we know of him is told us in Acts vii. and viii.

STOLE, _see_ Vestments.

SUCCENTOR. The precentor's deputy in Cathedral Churches. At York
he is a dignitary, and is called _Succentor Canonicorum_ to
distinguish him from the other subchanter, who is a vicar-choral.

SUCCESSION, APOSTOLICAL. _see_ Apostolical Succession and Orders,
Holy.

SUFFRAGANS. Properly all provincial Bishops who are under a Primate
or Metropolitan; but the word now is applied especially to assistant
Bishops, such as the Bishop of Bedford, the Bishop of Nottingham, &c.

SUNDAY. The first day of the week, so called by the Saxons, because
it was dedicated to the worship of the Sun.

Among Christians it is kept "holy" instead of the Jewish Sabbath,
because on that day our Lord rose from the dead, and for that reason
it is called by St. Jo