rds are these (in Latin): "The _Church of
England_ shall be free and her liberties unimpaired." We here see
The CHURCH OF ENGLAND referred to as a body already existing, in a
_State document_ nearly two hundred years before Henry VIII was born,
which is truly a suggestive fact to all thoughtful people.
Magnificat.--The Latin title, meaning "doth magnify," of the hymn
sung after the First Lesson at Daily Evening Prayer. It is found in
the Gospel of St. Luke I:46-56, and is the song of praise which the
Blessed Virgin Mary gave utterance to "at the very season when the
Divine overshadowing brought about the Incarnation of the Word."
This beautiful hymn is used at the evening service as the daily
commemoration of the Incarnation. This use of the Magnificat can
be traced as far back as the Fifth Century and it has been used in
the English Church at Vespers for over 800 years. For some reason
the Magnificat was omitted from the first American Prayer Book set
forth in 1789, but at the last revision in 1892 it was restored.
Maniple.--A scarf, like a short stole, worn on the left arm over
the alb by the celebrating Priest at the Holy Communion. (See
VESTMENTS.)
Manual Acts.--The acts prescribed by the rubrics to be used by the
Priest in consecrating the elements in the Holy Communion. The
rubric reads, "(_a_) Here the Priest is to take the Paten into his
hands, (_b_) And here to break the Bread, (_c_) And here to lay his
hand upon all the Bread, (_d_) Here he is to take the Cup into his
hands, (_e_) And here he is to lay his {181} hand upon every vessel
in which there is any Wine to be consecrated." This is the most
solemn part of the whole ministration of the Liturgy. "There cannot
be too great exactness and reverent formality on the part of the
celebrant in consecrating the elements by means of which, when
consecrated, an acceptable sacrifice is to be carried up to the
Father, and the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ received
by the communicants."
Mark, Feast of Saint.--Observed April 25. St. Mark is called the
Evangelist because he is the writer of the Gospel which bears his
name. He was the companion of St. Peter and accompanied him in his
missionary travels. It is supposed that he wrote his Gospel at the
dictation of St. Peter. St. Mark is said to have founded the Church
in Alexandria, and one of the ancient Liturgies is called by his
name. He suffered martyrdom on Easter Day, April 25th, A.D. 64,
being cru
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