he custom of
crossing oneself, as an act of devotion may be traced back to the
very beginnings of Christianity. The Prayer Book makes provision
for the newly baptized to be signed "with the sign of the Cross in
token that hereafter he shall not be ashamed to confess the Faith
of Christ crucified," and it is thought that if it be neither wrong
{73} nor superstitious on this occasion, it cannot be at other
times. (See EMBLEMS.)

Crucifer.--From a Latin word meaning cross-bearer, a name used to
designate one who carries the cross in choir processionals.

Cruets.--For the greater convenience of the Priest in celebrating
the Holy Communion, vessels of glass or precious metal, called
cruets, are placed on the credence to hold the wine and water,
and from which at the proper time in the service, the chalice is
supplied.

Crypt.--A vault beneath a church, more especially under the Chancel
and sometimes used for burial. The word is sometimes given to the
basement of a church where services are held.

Curate.--Derived from the Latin _curatus_, meaning one who is
charged with the _cura_, _i.e._, the cure or care of souls.
Originally _curate_ meant any one under the rank of Bishop, having
the cure of souls, but now the name is usually given to the
Assistant Minister in a Parish. (See ASSISTANT MINISTER.)

D

Daily Prayer, The.--By the appointment of Daily Morning and Evening
Prayer set forth in the Prayer Book the Church designs that services
should be held every day in the church throughout the year. This
is usually regarded as being impracticable and therefore the Daily
Prayer does not prevail in our churches. It has been pointed out,
however, that "Churches {74} without such an offering of Morning and
Evening Prayer are clearly alien to the system and principles of
the Book of Common Prayer, and to make the offering in the total
absence of worshippers seems scarcely less so. But as every church
receives blessings from God in proportion as it renders to Him the
honor due unto His Name, so it is much to be wished that increased
knowledge of devotional principles may lead on to such increase of
devotional practice as may make the omission of the Daily Offices
rare in the Churches of our land."

Dalmatic.--A robe of silk or other rich material with wide but short
sleeves, and richly embroidered, worn by the Deacon or Gospeller at
the Holy Eucharist. Not usually worn, although its use is being
restored.

Daughter