er separately or
as a monogram.

Altar.--The Holy Table, of wood or stone, on which the Sacrament of
the Lord's Body and Blood is offered to God as a "Sacrifice of Praise
and Thanksgiving." "Altar" and "Table" are used interchangeably
in Holy Scripture, and both words are used in the Prayer Book for
the same thing. From the very earliest times the Altar has always
been the most prominent object in the Church, being placed at the
end of the chancel and elevated, being approached by three or more
steps. Architecturally as well as devotionally the Altar is the
distinctive feature, the objective point of the building to which
all else conforms. Properly speaking, the building is erected for
the Altar, and not the Altar for the building. (See LORD'S TABLE).

Altar Cross.--The cross surmounting the Altar, made usually of
polished brass or of some precious metal. The Altar Cross is handed
down to us from the Primitive Church, so that to-day wheresoever
the English or the American flag waves there "the Altar and the
Cross" are set up. The Cross is placed over the middle of the
Altar, in the most sacred and prominent part of the Church, "in
order that the holy symbol of our Faith may be constantly before
the eyes of all who worship therein, to shine through the gloom of
this world and point them to the skies."

Altar Lights.--Two candles in candlesticks placed on the retable of
the Altar and lighted at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist;
frequently called Eucharistic Lights. They are used to symbolize
our Lord as {12} the Light of the world in His two Natures, Human
and Divine. The symbolical use of lighted tapers in Divine Service
is of primitive antiquity and their use is being generally restored
in both the English and American branches of the Church. This is
evidenced by the table in the Tourist's Church Guide for 1898, in
which it appears that in 1882 there were 581 churches in which the
Altar Lights were used, while in 1898 the number had increased to
4,334. (See LIGHTS ON THE ALTAR).

Altar Linen.--The linen pieces used in decorating the Altar for
the celebration of the Holy Communion are so called. There is first
the "fair white linen cloth," the width of the top of the Altar,
and falling over the ends fifteen or twenty inches ending with a
fringe. It is usually embroidered with five crosses to represent
the five wounds of our Lord. Other pieces are the Corporal to cover
the middle part of the Altar and on which