e when the memorial of the departed was
made at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. This was done to
excite and lead the living to the same happy state by following
their good example; and also to celebrate the memory of them as
still living, according to the principles of our Religion, and not
properly dead, but only translated by death to a more Divine Life.
To this custom is to be traced the origin of the Christian CALENDAR
(which see). In many parishes at the present time a similar {84}
custom obtains, of reciting at the Holy Communion on All Saints'
Day the names of parishioners who, during the year, have departed
in the true faith of God's Holy Name.

Discretion, Years of.--In the Prayer Book the Rite of Confirmation
is described as "The Laying on of Hands on those who are Baptized
and come to years of Discretion." The phrase "years of discretion"
is defined in the Rubric at the end of The Catechism, as follows,
"So soon as children are come to a competent age _and can say the
Creed, the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments, and can answer
the other questions of this Short Catechism, they shall be brought
to the Bishop_." According to the modern capacity of children,
they are able to learn what is required by the time they are
from _twelve_ to _fourteen_ years old; but if they are quick and
intelligent children, they will probably be ready to "be brought
to the Bishop to be confirmed by him" at an even earlier age. From
immemorial usage this is evidently the intention of the Church.

Dispensation.--A formal license, granted by ecclesiastical authority,
to do something which is not ordinarily permitted by the canons,
or to leave undone something that may be prescribed. In the American
Canons, dispensation has special reference to an official act by the
Bishop whereby he may excuse candidates for Holy Orders from pursuing
certain studies required by canon.

Divine Liturgy.--(See HOLY COMMUNION, also LITURGY.)

Divine Service.--In the old rubrical usage of the {85} Church,
"Divine Service" always meant the Holy Communion, which was also
called the _Divine Liturgy_. The central point of all Divine Worship,
towards which all other services gravitate, and around which they
revolve, like planets around the sun, is the great sacrificial act
of the Church, the offering of the Blessed Sacrament of the Lord's
Body and Blood.

Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society.--This society is the
largest and most influent