PART I. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING CEREMONIES

CHAPTER I. The Altar and its Appointments

Whenever a church or oratory in which an altar is placed is used for no other purpose than the work and services of the Church, it should be consecrated by a bishop according to the Form in The Liturgy. Because of the value of such consecration to the worshippers, the church need not be entirely free of debt before the consecration, but the debt must not be large. When it is necessary to use a church or oratory before a bishop can attend to consecrate it, or when an oratory is used for meetings other than those of the Church, a priest may bless it by using the prescribed portion of the service of "The Consecration of a Church," namely, first, saying the Collect of Purification; second, sprinkling the altar and church with holy water; third, saying the Collect of Consecration. Private or semi-private oratories should, unless permanent, be blessed not consecrated. That they should be blessed by a bishop is preferable. A duly consecrated church shall not be used for any service or meeting other than those prescribed in our Liturgy, except with the written permission of the Bishop of the Diocese.

In preparing for the consecration of a church six brass crosses, called Ray Crosses, may be provided in addition to the tabernacle cross and the altar cross. These crosses need not be of any specified size or design, but it should be borne in mind that they are intended not only to act as channels for the influence of the Rays, but also to serve as ornaments. Hence pleasing proportions and careful workmanship are essential.

Those crosses placed round the walls may either be attached to wooden panels or medallions or, if the architecture of the church permits, placed in small shrines or niches. On the face of each cross, where the two arms intersect, should be engraved the symbol of one of the Rays. An inconspicuous hole is drilled in each of the crosses which are to be placed round the walls, either on the reverse side opposite the symbol, or from above downwards into the metal of the cross. This hole should be about one-eighth to one quarter of an inch in diameter, depending upon the size of the consecrated jewel to be placed therein. The hole should not be drilled to such a depth that an opening appears on the front of the cross. The hole in the First Ray cross, which need be only about one-eighth of an inch in diameter, should be drilled downwards from the upper edge of the cross, because both sides of this cross are visible to the people. The set of consecrated jewels which has been obtained from the bishop for the purpose should be opened carefully over a white plate or tray, and the tiny spicules sorted out and dropped into their respective holes. If, on account of the minute size of the spicules (the diamond is usually not larger than a grain of sand) it is necessary to use a pair of tweezers extreme care should be exercised to prevent the particle suddenly being snapped into space by undue pressure on the tweezers. One jewel is placed in each of the six Ray Crosses leaving the Sapphire to be inserted in the tabernacle cross. The jewel associated with each Ray is given in Diagram 1. (Page 1) The holes are now filled either with plaster of Paris, pure beeswax, vegetable glue or dental cement, which should be smoothed over and allowed to harden. The crosses of the Fourth, Fifth, Seventh, Sixth and Third Rays (to enumerate them clockwise in the order in which they are placed round the church) are then bqlted to the wall panels or placed in the wall shrines. The First-Ray cross is usually suspended from the ceiling, but, if the seating arrangements permit, it may be supported by a standard fastened to the floor. (This was done at St Alban's Pro-Cathedral, Los Angeles, where there were two wide side aisles but no central aisle.) Obviously the cross should be suspended at a sufficient height so that the processional cross when carried may pass beneath.

Ray Symbol Jewel Family First Diamond Second Sapphire Third Emerald Fourgh Jasper Fifth Topaz Sixth Ruby Seventh Amethyst

It is not advisable or possible, owing to widely varying architectural arrangements, to lay down rigid rules as to the exact position in which each Ray Cross should be placed. The Second-Ray cross is always fastened to the door of the tabernacle, but those situated outside the sanctuary may be placed in the alternative positions indicated hereafter. Assuming that the altar is in the east, the positions of the Ray Crosses are as follows:

First-Ray Cross: In line with the middle of the altar, near the centre of the church.

Fourth-Ray Cross: Either (a) in the south-east comer, (b) on the south wall between this comer and the centre of the church, or (c) on the south wall opposite the First-Ray cross.

Fifth-Ray Cross: Either (a) in the south-west comer, or (b) on the south wall midway between this comer and the centre of the church.

Seventh-Ray Cross: On the west wall in line with the middle of the altar and therefore opposite the First-Ray cross.

Sixth-Ray Cross: Either (a) in the north-west comer, or (b) on the north wall midway between this Comer and the centre of the church.

Third-Ray Cross: Either (a) in the north-east comer, (b) on the north wall midway between this comer and the centre of the church, or (c) on the north wall opposite the First-Ray cross.

The Second General Episcopal Synod granted permission to consecrate movable Ray crosses to be placed in oratories used temporarily for the services of the Church. Such temporary oratories may be blessed but not consecrated.

The tabernacle cross is different in certain respects from the other six Ray crosses. It is the cross of the Second Ray, and should be a plain Latin cross with square ends. There is no necessity of engraving upon it the symbol of the Second Ray, inasmuch as the cross itself is the symbol of that Ray. Before being fastened to the door of the tabernacle a hole should be drilled on the reverse side, and the sapphire cemented into place. The reason the tabernacle cross is chosen to represent the Second Ray instead of the altar cross is that the former is directly in front of the Host reserved in the tabernacle, and therefore transmits without difficulty the force flowing from the Host. If the altar cross were used the force would have to rush upwards to the cross and then turn at right angles to pour out over the people. Another reason is that in some churches it is necessary to move the altar cross in order to make room for the monstrance at Benediction.

(Note that in 1988 the use of consecrated jewels and Ray Crosses was made optional in the Liberal Catholic Church International. As a practical matter, when a parish begins to grow and has moved into permanent quarters is the time to provide the jewels. The altar stone, of course, must contain consecrated jewels or relics.)

Whenever possible the altar should be placed in the east end of the church so that the people and priest may face eastwards during the services. In describing ceremonies hereafter, reference will be made from time to time to the "east" and "turning to the east." By this is meant the direction of the altar, quite irrespective of its geographical position. "Eastwards" in a church always means the direction taken by a celebrant when he faces the altar. Hence also "south" means to his right, and "north" to his left. In describing ceremonies it is customary to speak of the gospel and epistle sides of the altar. The gospel side is that portion to the left of the priest as he stands in the middle facing the altar; the epistle side is that portion to his right. (See Frontispiece.) The gospel end of the altar, or of the footpace, is that end to his left; the epistle end is that end to his right. The middle of the altar is that central position which the priest takes during the greater part of the service of the Holy Eucharist.

The size of the altar varies according to the dimensions of the church, and whether it is to be used as the principal or high altar, or as a side altar. The usual height is thirty-nine inches, but it may range from thirty-seven to forty inches. The length may be anything from five feet to ten feet or more. In width the altar should be between three and four feet, the exact measurement depending on how much space is needed for the gradines carrying flowers and candlesticks. A tabernacle, which is a strongly constructed box of wood or metal to hold the consecrated Host, should be firmly fastened in the middle line of the altar. To allow the proper room for the incensing of the oblations, the distance from the front edge of the altar to the tabernacle should be about twenty-seven inches. It is convenient to have a tabernacle with two narrow doors instead of one wide one, but the difficulty is that a draw bolt is needed for the door that shuts first, otherwise the tabernacle cannot be locked safely. (There is a patent metal tabernacle with two curved doors which part and swing back into the tabernacle itself sold in Catholic supply shops in America, but it is very expensive.) If the tabernacle has a single door, it is advisable to have the hinges on the left side, so that the right hand may be used for access. If the left hand is used, there is a risk of dragging the maniple across the corporal. Also at a High Celebration it is much more convenient for the Deacon to take the Host from the tabernacle if the hinges are on the left. The door (or doors) should be high enough to clear the altar cloths when opened.

The tabernacle should be equipped with a secure lock, the key to which must be kept in a safe place by the priest. The hinges must not have removable pins. The interior of the tabernacle should be lined with white silk, but there is no need to have curtains in front of the door within or without the tabernacle. A linen corporal should be spread on the bottom of the tabernacle. Holy oils should not be kept in the tabernacle. On either side of the tabernacle, to the rear of the altar, may be built one, two, or three shelves or steps, called gradines, upon which are placed candlesticks and vases of flowers.

Altar Stone

Portable Stone

Cross Section of Jewel Cavity

The altar may be built either of natural stone, of tiles or marble slabs over a base of brick or concrete, or of wood. It is well to avoid black or dark colours in selecting materials out of which an altar is to be built. If the altar is built of other than of natural stone, a slab of natural stone, usually marble, must be inserted in the top of the altar in the middle about- midway between the tabernacle and the front edge of the altar. The usual size of this slab, called the altar stone, is twelve inches square by one inch or one and one-half inches thick. It should be set in the altar nearly flush with the top, leaving just enough stone above the altar level so that its position may be determined when the altar is covered with the linen cloths. Such altar stones are kept in stock by some Catholic church good shops. If it is necessary to order one from a marble cutter, it should be understood by him that a small Maltese cross (set square with the stone) is to be carved at each of the four comers on the upper surface of the marble, and that a cavity for the reception of the consecrated jewels is to be chiseled exactly in the centre of the stone and from the upper side. The size of this cavity is determined as follows: Lay a silver coin, either a quarter of a dollar or a shilling piece on the marble in the centre and draw around it a line. The marble is then cut away until a shallow circular cavity is formed into which the coin fits exactly. The coin is now removed and the central part of the cavity made deeper. In this part of the cavity the consecrated jewels are embedded, a disk of silver the size of the coin being used as a cover. One side of the silver disk should be polished and a Maltese cross engraved thereon. This disk may be gilded. It has been suggested that the silver cover is not essential; that the cavity can be filled flush with plaster of Paris or beeswax; that a cross can be incised on the plaster or wax with a pen knife. I doubt the advisability of this, especially in a portable altar stone. There is too much danger of fragments of the plaster breaking away, or of the wax being gouged out, leading to loss of one or more of the jewels. The altar stones sold in Catholic shops are usually prepared with a cross chiseled in the exact centre and the cavity about an inch or so from the centre. The cover for the cavity in such stones is usually a circular disk of marble. It is permissible to use an altar stone of this description as the slight difference in the position of the consecrated jewels will not materially affect the inner side of the Eucharistic celebration.

To prepare the altar stone for consecration another set of jewels obtained from the bishop is opened with the same care as before over a white plate. A small amount of plaster of Paris (or beeswax) is now prepared and enough dropped into the cavity to fill it half way. Using a pair of tweezers if necessary, the spicules are placed on the plaster in the following hexagonal order, it being understood that the stone is lying in the same position relative to the priest as it will be when placed on the altar:

The jewels should be carefully embedded and then covered with enough moist plaster (or beeswax) nearly to fill the cavity. The metal disk is now pressed down into the cavity (the polished side bearing the Maltese cross being uppermost) until it is flush with the surface of the marble. The surplus plaster is wiped away and the remaining plaster allowed to set and harden. Before the stone is moved it is well to label the edge (not the upper surface) nearest the amethyst with the phrase: "Towards the Celebrant" or the edge nearest the sapphire with the phrase: "Towards the Tabernacle." A still better way is to chisel a tiny arrow on the under surface of the stone pointing to the edge which should be placed nearest the tabernacle. This of course should be done before the jewels are placed in the cavity. Whatever the method of marking the stone, it is essential to make clear the correct placing of the stone upon the altar.

If the whole altar is built of natural stone, a Maltese cross is carved on the upper surface of each comer and in the centre, and, at about the place where the celebrant will stand the chalice, a cavity is chiseled and filled with a set of jewels as in the case of the altar stone.

(It is permissible to use relics instead of consecrated jewels. There are certain alternatives permitted in place of the specific jewels specified in this book.)

Before being used, if possible, an altar stone should be consecrated by a bishop. If circumstances prevent this, the priest himself should bless the stone using the Form in the Liturgy for "The Blessing of Objects in General. "

As the Holy Eucharist must not be celebrated without an altar stone, it is necessary for the priest who travels on behalf of the Church to carry with him a portable altar stone. The best stone for this purpose is a thin slab of marble, measuring about five by seven inches, which is held by means of its beveled edge in a frame of polished wood (made of two slabs screwed together, in which is set the marble slab) the outside dimensions of which are about seven by inches. (Inasmuch as the portable type of stone is not flush with the top of the t must be of adequate size to receive the Host and the major part of the base of the chalice. The greater part of the marble slab need be only about one-quarter of an thickness but in the centre, where the cavity is chiseled, it should be at least a ;h thick. This additional thickness in the centre may be obtained by cementing a block of marble to the under surface of the larger slab, the whole being concealed strengthened by the wooden frame.

As an alternative to a portable altar stone, the priest who travels on behalf of the l may carry with him a antimensium to use in place of a stone.

The altar should be raised above the floor of the sanctuary by at least one and preferably three steps, particularly if it be the principal altar of the church.

The sanctuary floor should be higher than the floor of the church so that the may be able to see the ceremonies. There should not be more than seven steps n the level of the church floor and the level of the altar base. The broad top step is where the priest stands while celebrating the Holy Eucharist is called the footpace. There should be at least eighteen inches longer than the altar at each end in order to allow for the ministers at censing, and its width about three feet six inches, so that he priest genuflects there may be no danger of the foot suddenly slipping over edge. The other two steps extend not only round the footpace but also across the altar. They ought to be at least from twenty-one to twenty-four inches wide front, as the deacon and subdeacon stand or kneel on them during High Celebration. At the sides these two steps may be narrower, say twelve to fifteen inches. The first step up from the sanctuary floor is called the subdeacon's step, the second the deacon's step. To stand on the sanctuary floor is to be in plano.

The altar is covered with three layers of white linen cloth. The two lower layers are usually quite plain and may be either separate cloths each the size of the top of the altar, or one cloth twice the size of the top folded once. The upper cloth should be long enough to extend the full length of the altar and to reach nearly to the base of the altar on either end. It should be as wide as the altar top and the ends which project beyond the top may be worked in white linen embroidery. Under these three cloths there is a cere-cloth of waxed linen.

In front of the altar may be placed an ornate, embroidered frontal, with two IHS, the principal colour of which is the colour of the Day or of the Festival. If only a white frontal is available, it is permissible to change the colour of orphreys to agree with the colour of the Day or Festival. In case of need, the white and orphreys may be used on every occasion, except Good Friday and Holy Week. It should be understood that by "white" is not meant that the entire frontal be white but only that the background shall be white or light in colour. Many crosses may be embroidered on a "white" frontal. The "colour" of any frontal, or of any orphrey, is determined, not by the colour or colours which may be embroidered upon it the predominating colour of the background. A frontal of cloth of gold may be used at any service, except on Good Friday or Holy Saturday. Frontals of silver cloth are not used in our rite. Frontals may either be hung from the under side of the front edge of the altar, or stretched upon a frame which may be attached to the altar by hooks. If the altar is made of costly stone, of tile, or is beautifully ornamented or carved, there is no need to use a frontal. When a frontal is not used, a superfrontal of heavy lace about six to ten inches in width, which is attached to one of the under linen altar cloths, should be hung from the front edge of the altar. Under this superfrontal may be placed a broad band of ribbon of the colour of the Day or Festival. A superfrontal of suitable material is often used above a frontal.

The altar cross stands in the middle either upon the tabernacle or upon a shelf immediately behind and above the tabernacle. It should be of such size and placed sufficiently high so that it can be seen easily by the worshippers. In the Liberal Catholic Church the crucifix is avoided, a cross without a suffering human figure attached thereto being used. There is no objection, however, to using a cross with the figure of Christ "reigning from the tree of glory" with a golden crown, joyous and in the attitude of benediction.

On the altar of every church or oratory there should be six metal candlesticks with candles, arranged so that three stand in line on either side of the altar cross. At all celebrations of the Holy Eucharist, private, low, sung or high, the rule is that these six candles are lighted. In case of necessity the Eucharist may be celebrated using only two candles. At all other services of the Church, which take place before an altar, with the exceptions of Baptism and" A Form of Admission," these six candles are always lighted. There may be and often are many other candles on the altar, but the six candles must always be there. A seventh candle may be placed before the altar cross whenever a bishop celebrates, but it should not be so large as to hide the cross. At Baptism, or when admitting a member using" A Form of Admission," when separate from other services, and at Prime and Complin when these services are conducted, especially by a layman, in a home or school, it is permissible to use two candles. The six candlesticks should be of the same material, shape, height and size, preferably gold coloured. On each of the six candlesticks, either on a detachable metal shield or on the candlestick itself, may be engraved the symbol of one of the Rays (with the exception of the Second Ray) and, when possible, in each shield or a candlestick is embedded a tiny jewel associated with the Ray. These jewels are cemented in place exactly as in the case of the Ray Crosses.

It will be noted that three sets of consecrated jewels are necessary fully to equip a church: one set of seven jewels for the Ray Crosses, one set of seven jewels for the altar stone and one set of six jewels for the altar candlesticks. The purpose for which each set is desired should be specified when writing the bishop. It is not always possible at present to supply every church with three sets of jewels, especially the set for the candlesticks, but ultimately of course every church will be supplied. These sets of consecrated jewels, which have little intrinsic value, but must be guarded because of the consecration, are the property of the Liberal Catholic Church International and not of any priest or congregation. They are loaned to the priest to be used in the services of the Church. The First Episcopal Synod ruled that "in order to safeguard the specially consecrated altar jewels which are entrusted to priests to use in their respective altar stones and churches, it is asked of all bishops that they obtain from each priest who accepts such jewels a pledge similar to the following:

"I hereby pledge myself that I will return to the Regionary Bishop of the Liberal Catholic Church International in the Province of. . . . . . . upon his request in writing,

Each of seven consecrated jewels entrusted to my care, and I further pledge myself that insert in my will instructions to return said set(s) of jewels in case of said Regionary Bishop."

Priest

Witness

When the six candlesticks are placed on their shelf at the altar they should be in the following order on either side of the altar cross:

The number of extra candles to be placed upon the altar is of importance, but left largely to the discretion of the priest because of the different conditions in different churches. Some help may be given, however, in guiding the priest if the Festivals, Holy Days, and Sundays are divided into four according to the number of extra candles used. (This division is not the same as in The Liturgy where the different Days are classified as Class A, B, C

In the first class are the two greatest Festivals of the Christian Year: Easter and Christmas. On these two occasions as many extra candles should be placed on the altar church can afford.

In the second class the Festivals and Days are: New Year's Day (the Octave of as), The Epiphany, Baptism of Our Lord, Transfiguration, Maundy Thursday, Low Sunday (the Octave of Easter), Ascension Day, Whitsunday, Trinity Sunday, Corpus Christi, Assumption of Our Lady, St. Michael and All Angels, and All Saints. These festivals many candles should blaze upon the altar, though perhaps not I many as on the two greater Festivals. In this class come also the Festival in of the Patron Saint of a Church or of a Country, and the Dedication Festival or Anniversary of the Consecration of a Church. If National Holidays are observed they be placed either in this class or in the one which follows.

[n the third class are placed the following: Third Sunday in Advent, Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple, Annunciation of Our Lady, Septuagesima, Quinquagesima, Fourth Sunday in Lent, St. John Baptist, St. Peter and the Apostles, Nativity of Our Lady, All Souls' Day, Third Sunday after Trinity, Sunday after Trinity, Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity, and the Sunday next before Advent. On these days there may be fewer candles on the altar.

In the fourth class are all the rest of the Days and Sundays on which only the usual six candles are lighted.

Certain Festivals have an octave; that is, they are celebrated for eight days. When the "Octave," or eighth day, is celebrated, the number of candles may be slightly less than the number used on the Festival itself. On the intermediate days, or "within the octave," the number of candles may be still smaller. An exception is made on the Sunday within the octave of a Festival. At such times the number of candles used should be the same as on the Festival itself. It is the custom in some churches to light the candles of a side altar when the Festival of the Patron Saint of that side altar is being celebrated at the High Altar.

The extra candles may be placed in candelabra of various designs and sizes or in single candlesticks. They may stand on the altar, the gradines, or the tabernacle. If desired, branching candlesticks on tall standards may stand on the sanctuary floor, or on one of the steps at both ends of the altar. With the possible exception of the bishop's candle none of the extra candles should stand higher than the six altar candles. The six candles may be made to look longer by using simple tubes or stocks painted the colour of the candles. One end of the tube is inserted in the candlestick, while in the other end the candle is inserted. The junction between tube and candle may be hidden by a metal shield.

The candles used on the altar may be made of beeswax, of paraffin, or a mixture of mineral and vegetable fats. Th~ use of candles containing animal fats should be avoided. The candles used by the Roman Catholic Church, which are manufactured of beeswax and other fats, are allowable. It has been found that pure paraffin candles cannot be used in very hot weather because they bend so easily.

Trouble is sometimes experienced by draughts causing the candles to bum unevenly and to be consumed rapidly. This difficulty may be eliminated by obtaining glass caps, sold for the purpose, which fit over the top of the Candle. They are practically invisible and as the candle is consumed, they descend the flame. Another way to overcome the difficulty, so far as the six altar candles are concerned, is to use special long tubes or stocks, sometimes called sauches which are painted white on the outside to resemble candles. The candle, when placed in the tube, is forced against the upper orifice by a plunger, actuated by a spring, which presses against the base of the candle. When such stocks are used just enough wax is melted to keep the candle burning, even though draughts may cause the flame to flicker. This arrangement has two great advantages: the candle flames remain always at the same height; paraffin candles may be used inside the tubes even in very warm weather. Such stocks, of course, are not suited for use with extra candles.

Care should be taken to see that all candles placed on the altar are plumb.

Sometimes when a candle is slightly bent it is possible to make it appear vertical from the front by turning the candlestick on its base. Care should also be exercised to place the six altar candles an even distance apart, and that the extra candles are placed symmetrically.

If a candle is a little too small for the candlestick, a strip of paper wound round will rectify matters. If it is too large, it may be made smaller by paring with a knife, or better still by using a candle parer sold for the purpose, which works on the principle as a pencil sharpener. Some churches save the candle ends, bits of wax, and make their own candles out of the residue, although this requires some skill and patience. It is possible to buy candle molds and wicks. It is not worth while trying to mend a broken candle. The best thing to do is to cut through the wick at the break the two halves when opportunity offers.

The candles on the altar are lighted in the following manner and order: The server goes to the middle, genuflects in plano (that is, on the sanctuary floor) if the Sacrament is reserved, otherwise he bows, walks round to the epistle side and the side steps at that side. The altar candle on the epistle side nearest the cross is lit first, then the central one on that side, and then the outermost one. If there are more candles those on the epistle side they are now lighted. Descending by the side to the epistle side, he passes round to the middle, either genuflects in plano or goes to the gospel side and ascends the side steps to the footpace. The server lights the altar candle nearest the cross on the gospel side, then the centre one, and then the outermost one. If there are extra candles these are now lit.

He descends the side steps, passes round to the middle, genuflects or bows, and departs. If there are many extra candles, two servers should light them, one to the epistle side, one to the gospel side. When they approach the altar for pose they should walk side by side, or one behind the other (depending upon arrangements of the church) genuflect or bow together in the middle, ascend to the ~ by the end steps, light the candles, descend the same way, genuflect or bow in Idle, and depart. The two servers should so time their movements that the placed in the same relative positions on either side of the altar are lighted at the moment. The candles should be lighted five minutes before the service. They are extinguished in reverse order to that in which they were lit. Candles should not be blown out but extinguished with an extinguisher made for the purpose.

Priests are warned not to permit drapery of inflammable material to be hung the altar near the candles. If drapery is used it should be secured in some way It cannot become loose or blown about by a sudden gust of wind.

Flowers add to the beauty of the services, and may be placed upon the gradines n upon the altar in such abundance as the church can afford. The exclusive use e flowers ought to be avoided, even on those days when the colour of the day is white. Carefully blended colours enhance the beauty of the altar and the rather chill effect of pure white. It is a pleasing custom to place flowers near altar which match the colour of the vestments used, but there is no reason why flowers of other colours should not appear at the same time. Green foliage may be intermixed with the flowers so as to obtain a more pleasing effect. Potted plants may not placed on the altar or its gradines but they may stand elsewhere in the sanctuary.

A missal stand usually of brass or wood is placed on the epistle side of the altar from the middle. It need not be covered. A cushion covered with a veil of the colour of the Day may be used instead of the stand.

The credence is a small table or shelf placed in the sanctuary near the epistle end of the altar. The credence should be covered with a white cloth, except on Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Upon it are placed the cruets and tray, lavabo basin and towels, book or books of Epistles and Gospels and any other things needed during a service. The sacring bell, chimes or gong is sometimes placed on the credence table, but more often elsewhere in the sanctuary.

During the hours when the altar is not in use it is well to keep it covered with a light-coloured dust-cloth. This cloth may be made of any pleasing and suitable material. It is, of course removed when the preparations for a service begin. It is not usual to keep extra candlesticks upon an altar unless they are required for use. The missal stand may remain upon the altar after a service is over, but in many churches it is removed when the people have departed. If extra candlesticks and missal stand are removed the placing of the dust -cloth is of course made easy.

A sanctuary lamp of ruby coloured glass should be placed near the altar. (In the Liberal Catholic Church white glass is not used in the sanctuary lamp even at the high altar.) This lamp is kept burning whenever the Host is reserved in the tabernacle. Preferably it is suspended by long chains from the ceiling in the middle before the altar, placed at such a height as to be well above the heads of the officiating clergy; it may rest on a brass pedestal or standard at one end of the altar; it may be placed on or in front of the tabernacle; it may hang from a bracket near one end of the altar. The oil used in such lamps ought to be pure olive oil, although mixtures of vegetable oils are permitted. Animal fats and oils must not be used. Large eight-day candles manufactured especially for sanctuary lamps, and equipped with special fittings and a ruby glass, may be obtained from Catholic Church Goods shops. They are very much more convenient than lamps using olive oil. If an oil lamp is used, care must be taken when filling the lamp not to put in too much oil that the flame from the floating wick extends above the top. It is better to fill the bowl in the sacristy, or some other convenient place, than to run the danger of spilling some of the oil on the sanctuary carpet. Obviously the lamp should be replenished or lighted when there is no congregation present. The Second Episcopal Synod ruled that "the use of an electric lamp as a sanctuary light is permissible, but not recommended, inasmuch as a naked flame is more suitable for the purpose in view."

Except in cathedral churches where there is a throne, a bishop should be provided with a faldstool. A faldstool is built either with or without a back and is shaped like the letter X, so far as the frame is concerned. If a cushion is used it may have four covers, one in each of the four liturgical colours. Whenever a faldstool is not available a suitable chair with a low back will suffice.

The chancel, referred to in Roman Catholic books as the Choir, is in front of, or west of, the sanctuary. It is usually raised from the church floor by one or more steps, and separated from the sanctuary by a step, a railing, or both. In the chancel are seated the singers and the clergy in choir dress.

On the epistle side of the sanctuary is the seat or sedilia for the celebrant and his ministers. It may be a bench with room for three persons, or three separate chairs. It is covered with a cloth varying in colour according to the season.

Because of the convenience and the much-to-be-desired elimination of cements before and during the services, each church ought to obtain a suitable board to be fastened securely in some position where it may be seen by all the congregation. Such boards are not very difficult to make by a worker in wood, and may also be bought in Church Goods shops. Usually they are ornamented at the top with a wooden cross, or other ecclesiastical design, and are fitted with several slots into which cards bearing the name of the Festival or Sunday, and giving the numbers of the hymns, may be slipped. It is advisable to obtain numbers of a sufficient width and with at least five or still better seven of these horizontal lines because not only should there be a card inserted bearing the name of the Festival day, but on occasion (as at Palm Sunday) there are more than the usual three during the morning service. Also when there is a Proper Gradual this should be t to the attention of the congregation by use of a special card. In the evening .on should be given whether the service is that of Solemn Benediction only, or s and Benediction. The numerals, each printed on a separate oblong of board in heavy black type, may be bought in sets, but the names of the Festivals, s, etc., and cards bearing the words: Proper Gradual, Vespers, Benediction,

Complin, etc., will have to be drawn each on separate cards in bold, black g, by some talented member.