not a member
of the Church. It cannot be used over an excommunicated person
because he has been cut off from the Church's privileges. It cannot
be used over one who has committed suicide, even if a member of the
Church, for by this act he has voluntarily removed himself "from
the sphere of its sanctions," and to whom all branches of the
Church as well as our own have ever denied the use of this Office.
The reason for these prohibitions may be learned when we consider
that the Burial Office is founded on the fact of our incorporation
into Christ's Mystical Body, on which is founded our hope of the
General Resurrection. The whole service is colored by this belief
and is illustrated and confirmed by the Lesson read from St. Paul's
Epistle to the Corinthians, setting forth the doctrine that our
Lord's Incarnation is the source of all spiritual life and,
therefore, the source of eternal life in the world to come.
The proper place for the use of the Burial Office is the Church and
it ought not to be used in houses except for great cause.
Burse.--A square pocket or case, in which the corporal and pall are
kept when not in use. {44}
C
Calendar.--The word "calendar" is derived from the Latin word
_calo_, meaning, to reckon. From this the first day of every Roman
month was called _Calends_, hence Calendar. Calendars are known to
have been in use at a very early date. One is still extant that was
formed as early as A.D. 336, and another drawn up for the Church
in Carthage dates from A.D. 483. The origin of Christian Calendars
is clearly coeval with the commemoration of martyrs, which began at
least as early as the martyrdom of Polycarp, A.D. 168. The Church
Calendar is set forth in the introductory portion of the Prayer
Book, consisting of several Tables giving the Holy Days of the
Church with their Proper Lessons, and also the ordinary days of the
year with the Daily Lessons. It is well to note that the Calendar
as thus set forth is the detailed law of the Church for the daily
Worship of God. There is so much stated and implied in this law it
is well worth our careful study, and the reader is referred to this
introductory portion of the Prayer Book. (See CHRISTIAN YEAR).
Candidate.--The name commonly given to one who is preparing for Holy
Baptism or Confirmation. The name is also applied to one who seeks
admission to the Sacred Ministry, and is therefore enrolled as a
"Candidate for Holy Orders."
Candlemas
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