The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia Part 11

Gradual.--A portion of Scripture formerly sung after the Epistle for the Day, from the steps of the Pulpit or Altar, and hence called _Gradual_, from the Latin _gradus_, meaning a step.

Greek Church.--A name often used for the EASTERN CHURCH (which see).

Green.--One of the Church colors, and used during the Epiphany and Trinity Seasons. (See CHURCH COLORS.) {129}

Gregorian Music.--The Gregorian tones are certain chants of peculiar beauty and solemnity handed down to us from remote antiquity. They are said to have been set forth in their present form by Gregory the Great in the Sixth Century, from whom they are named. They are numbered from _one_ to _eight_, with a few added supplementary tones of great dignity and beauty. Each tone has various endings. Where the Psalter is sung, the Gregorian chants are usually employed, being sung antiphonally, but the _Glorias_ in full, that is by both sides of the choir together.

Growth of the Church.--The course of the Episcopal Church in the United States has been characterized by a very remarkable growth--a growth that has attracted the attention of the Public Press, both religious and secular. Thus the Roman Catholic _News_ said recently, "The gains of the Episcopalians in this country, steady, onward, undeniable, and that at the expense of the denominations called evangelical, is one of the remarkable characteristics of our times."

The following statement appeared in _Public Opinion_: "A good showing is made by the so-called Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States. The general growth of the Church far exceeds, proportionately, that of the population at large, or of any other religious section of it in particular. It looks like the 'Church of the future.'" This statement may be ill.u.s.trated by the returns of the last census. In the decade ending 1900 the population increased 21 per cent., while the increase of the Episcopal Church was 41 per cent. During the preceding decade (1880-1890) the increase of population was 24 per cent., but that of {130} the Church was 46 per cent. Before the Civil War, (in 1850) this Church had one communicant for about every 300 of the population; in 1880 it had one for every 148; in 1890, one for every 125, and in 1900 it had one communicant for every 107 of the population. The comparison of growth of this Church with other religious bodies was set forth in a statement by the New York _Independent_, from which it appears that the rate of increase during the period examined was for the Episcopal Church 44 per cent.; for the Lutherans, 14; Baptists, 12; Methodists, 11; and Presbyterians, 8 per cent. In the census returns in 1850 the population of the United States was 23,847,884 and the Episcopal Church had then only 79,987 communicants. To-day (1901) the State of New York alone with a population of only 7,268,012 has 163,379 communicants, being about one-fourth of the population in that State. The _Missionary Monthly_, a Presbyterian publication, speaking of the Church in New York City, said: "The Episcopalians far outnumber any other denomination in their membership. Their relative growth also surpa.s.ses all others. In 1878 the Presbyterian membership in this city was 18,704, while the Episcopalians numbered 20,984. Now the Episcopalians almost double the Presbyterians in the matter of Church membership." These last two items refer only to New York, but it is a well established fact that the Church is growing rapidly in all parts of our land. To-day there is not a State or Territory where the Episcopal Church has not its Bishop or Bishops and body of Clergy and faithful people; even in far away Alaska the Altar and the Cross have been set up, and the rate {131} of increase throughout the United States is larger than that of any other religious body in this land. Moreover, it is a striking fact that the Episcopal Church is the only religious body in the United States (except the Roman Catholic) which covers the entire country.

Guardian Angels.--(See HOLY ANGELS.)

Guild.--An organization or society. A name given to a society in the Church, having for its object the welfare of the Parish to which it belongs, or the promotion of some special church work.

Usually the purpose of a Church Guild is to bring the members together in devotion of spirit and in cooperative work under the direction of the Rector; and in every way to bring the full Church system to bear on the hearts and lives of all.

H

Habit.--The name given to the garb worn by the clergy, _e_. _g_., the robes worn by a Bishop are frequently called the "Episcopal habit"; also, the garb worn by members of a religious order, such as the Sisters of Charity, etc.

Hades.--The Greek word for the place of departed spirits, translated in the English Bible and, also, in the Creed by the word "h.e.l.l,"

not, however, the place of torment. (See DESCENT INTO h.e.l.l, also INTERMEDIATE STATE.)

Hallelujah.--A Hebrew word, meaning "Praise the Lord"; same as ALLELUIA (which see). {132}

Heaven.--The final abode of the righteous, where after the general Resurrection they find their perfect consummation and bliss, both in body and soul, in G.o.d's eternal and everlasting glory.

h.e.l.l.--The final abode of the wicked and impenitent. Justin Martyr, an ancient Father of the Church, who lived A.D. 150, describes h.e.l.l as "a place where those are to be punished who have lived wickedly, and who do not believe that those things which G.o.d hath taught us by Christ will come to pa.s.s." The original Greek word for "h.e.l.l," as the place of torment, is GEHENNA (which see).

Heresy. Heretic.--The word "heresy" is derived from a Greek word, meaning "a choice," and is applied to doctrines or beliefs that are contrary to Divine Revelation as witnessed to by the Holy Catholic Church. A "Heretic" is one who prefers such false teaching to "the Faith once delivered to the Saints." Concerning such St.

Paul says, "A man that is an heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject" (St. t.i.tus 3:10). The Church regards the true Faith as of such vital importance to her life and to the life of each individual soul, she bids us to pray in the Litany, "From all false doctrine, _heresy_, and schism, Good Lord, deliver us."

High Celebration.--A term commonly employed to describe the solemn midday service of the Holy Eucharist with the full adjuncts of ritual and music. There is always a Gospeller and Epistoler in addition to the Celebrant. The music is often of an elaborate character and the ceremonial more imposing. It is generally reserved for the greater Festivals. {133}

Historic Episcopate.--This is a term that came into prominence when at the General Convention of 1886, which met in Chicago, the House of Bishops set forth the terms which it deemed a sufficient basis for the Reunion of Christendom. By it is meant the Ministry preserved and perpetuated by APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION (which see, also EPISCOPACY).

Historiographer.--An official custodian and compiler of historical records pertaining to the Church, appointed by the General Convention. Several of the Dioceses have also their appointed Historiographers.

Holy Angels.--The service and Ministry of the Holy Angels and their guardianship over the sons of men is a doctrine set forth by the Church in her beautiful service for ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS DAY, (which see). Elsewhere in the Liturgy she brings out the same great truth. When we gather around the Altar of G.o.d in the Holy Eucharist we do so "with angels and archangels and with all the company of Heaven." It has always been a tradition of Christianity that "angels attend at the ministration of Holy Baptism and at the celebration of the Holy Communion; and that as Lazarus was the object of their tender care, so in sickness and death they are about the bed of the faithful and carry their souls to the Presence of Christ in Paradise."

Holy Communion.--One of the two great Sacraments ordained by Christ and generally (_i.e._, always) necessary to salvation; this being the Sacrament of the Lord's Body and Blood. The following explanation has been given by the Rev. Morgan Dix, D.D.: "Three names are given to this Sacrament according {134} to the way in which it is regarded.

It is called the _Holy Communion_, because it is the means of keeping that union with Almighty G.o.d through the Incarnation which was commenced in our Baptism, and because thereby all the faithful are spiritually one with each other. It is called the _Lord's Supper_ with historical reference to the time and circ.u.mstance of its inst.i.tution. It is called the _Holy Eucharist_, as being the great act of praise and thanksgiving rendered by the Church in acknowledgment of the blessings of Redemption. It is also called preeminently the _Divine Liturgy_, as including and comprehending all acts of worship and religion, and as being the first and chief of all rites and functions; and it is both a Sacrifice and a Sacrament. It is the great Commemorative Sacrifice of the Church, unb.l.o.o.d.y, mystical and spiritual; accompanying the Perpetual Oblation of Himself which our great High Priest, Jesus Christ, makes in Heaven, where He ever liveth and intercedes for us. In it the Pa.s.sion of Christ is perpetually shown forth to the Almighty Father, and His Priests on earth unite in the Oblation which He makes at the Mercy Seat. It is the _Sacrament_ in which the faithful feed upon His most Blessed Body and Blood, in a divine mystery and after a spiritual manner, which is to be believed though it cannot be explained. Our Lord is really present throughout the whole of this solemn and august action, though in no carnal, corporal or material manner." (See REAL PRESENCE.)

The Prayer Book provides that this Blessed Sacrament shall be celebrated at least every Sunday and Holy Day for which Collect, Epistle and Gospel are {135} provided; the only exception to this rule being Good Friday. (See EARLY COMMUNION; FREQUENT COMMUNION, also WORSHIP.)

Holy Days and Seasons.--(See CHRISTIAN YEAR, also articles on FEASTS, FASTS and GOSPEL.)

Holy Ghost, The.--The Third Person of the Blessed Trinity. It is of faith to believe that G.o.d the Holy Ghost is a Person, not simply an influence as the vagueness of modern religionism seems to imply, but a Person so real that sin can be committed against Him, as in the case of Ananias who was accused of lying to the Holy Ghost (Acts 5:3); a Person so real that He is represented as engaged in such personal acts as teaching, testifying, guiding into all Truth, and as interceding. The Holy Ghost is to be believed in as very and eternal G.o.d, of one substance, majesty and glory with the Father and the Son. He, the Comforter, having been given we are now living under the Dispensation of the Holy Ghost. The third paragraph of the Creed (each article of which is to be attributed to or affirmed of, the Holy Ghost) brings out this truth and sets forth His Presence and work in the Church. This is ill.u.s.trated by the following statement: "By being born again of water and the _Holy Ghost_ we are made members of 'the Holy Catholic Church'; by keeping the unity of the _Spirit_ in the bond of peace, we enjoy the 'Communion of Saints'; through the _Holy Ghost_ we receive the 'Remission of Sins,' first in our Baptism and afterwards in the Holy Communion and other ordinances; it is through the _Holy Ghost_ that the Lord shall quicken our mortal bodies in the 'Resurrection,' and by His grace we {136} shall be enabled to give a good answer at the Judgment Seat of Christ and so attain to the 'Life Everlasting.'" (See PROCESSION OF THE HOLY GHOST.)

Holy Innocents' Day.--A Festival of the Church observed on the third day after Christmas, December 28th, in memory of the children of Bethlehem, whose death Herod caused, and who have always been regarded as the Infant Martyrs of the Christian Church, for that "not in speaking, but in dying, have they confessed Christ." This Feast is one of the very oldest of Holy Days, having always been a.s.sociated with the observance of Christmas.

Holy Name, The.--The name of JESUS (which see). Bishop Jeremy Taylor says, "This is the Name which we should engrave in our hearts, and write upon our foreheads, and p.r.o.nounce with our most harmonious accents, and rest our faith upon, and place our hopes in, and love with the overflowings of charity and joy and adoration." An old custom that has come down to us from the most ancient times is that of bowing at the Holy Name of Jesus, especially in reciting the Creed. The 18th Canon of the English Church (1604) gives the meaning of this custom as follows: "When in time of Divine Service the Lord Jesus shall be mentioned, _due_ and _lowly reverence_ shall be done by all persons present, as it hath been accustomed, testifying by these outward ceremonies and gestures their inward humility, Christian resolution, and due acknowledgment that the Lord JESUS CHRIST, the true and Eternal Son of G.o.d, is the only Saviour of the world, in whom alone all mercies, graces and promises {137} of G.o.d to mankind, for this life and the life to come, are fully and wholly comprised."

Holy Orders.--A term used to designate the Sacred Ministry, and is expressive of the position and authority of the Ministry of the Church. Holy Scripture as well as ancient authors and the universal practice of the Church bear witness to the fact that Almighty G.o.d of His Divine Providence hath appointed "divers orders" in His Church and that these orders have always and in all places been _three_ in number, viz., Bishops, Priests and Deacons. (See BISHOP, EPISCOPACY, DEACON, MINISTER, PRIEST.)

Holy Table.--(See ALTAR.)

Holy Thursday.--A name commonly given to ASCENSION DAY (which see); not to be confounded with Thursday in Holy Week, which is more properly known as Maundy Thursday.

Holy Week.--The last week in Lent is so called and among the ancients was known also as "The Great Week," because of the important events in the last week in our Lord's Life which it commemorates. It is a week of solemn and awful memories, a holy time of deepest devotion and searchings of heart. The Church has always kept it as such. From day to day, amid the solemnities of worship, we follow our Lord in His Pa.s.sion, live it over again, as in Psalm and Hymn, in Proper Lessons, in Epistles and Gospels and pleading, prayers the whole record of the Royal Reception, the final Teachings, Betrayal, the cruel mockery, the desertion, and the awful Agony on the Cross, the Death and the Burial of the Lord of Life is solemnly recited as a memorial before G.o.d. Each {138} day is significant, thus: The first day of the week, the Sixth Sunday in Lent, is called Palm Sunday, in reference to the palms strewn in our Lord's way on His entrance into Jerusalem; _Monday_ and _Tuesday_ witnessed the final disputations with the Jews; _Wednesday_ stands out as the day of the Lord's Betrayal and the beginning of the events which reached their climax on Good Friday; _Thursday_ is ever to be remembered as the day of the Commands, first, concerning love, and secondly, the inst.i.tution of the Blessed Sacrament with its "Do this in remembrance of Me"; _Good Friday_, the day of the Crucifixion and Death, and _Sat.u.r.day_, Easter Even, which commemorates the Descent of our Lord's soul into h.e.l.l while His Body rested in the grave.

Homilies.--The two books of Homilies or Sermons referred to in the x.x.xVth Article of Religion. The first volume was written during the reign of Edward VI, in 1542, and the second in 1563. They treat of such topics as "Good Works," "Repentance," "Prayer," "The number of the Sacraments," "The Right Use of the Church," etc. The Books of Homilies are received in the American Church so far as they are an explication of Christian Doctrine and instructive in piety and morals. The list of subjects treated of in the Second Book is given in the x.x.xVth Article of Religion.

Hood.--An ornamental fold hanging down the back, denoting the academical degree which the person officiating has taken in College or University. It is made of silk, the color indicating the degree according to the University usage. The Church of England {139} by canon enjoins that every minister, who is a graduate, shall wear his proper hood during the time of divine service. The hood is quite commonly worn in the United States by both Bishops and Clergy.

Hosanna.--A Hebrew word, meaning, "Save, we beseech Thee."

Hours of Prayer.--(See CANONICAL HOURS.)

House of Bishops.--The upper House of the General Convention in which all Diocesan, Coadjutor and Missionary Bishops have seats, representing their own Order. The term is often used as a collective name for all the Bishops of the American Church. (See GENERAL CONVENTION.)

House of G.o.d.--The Church building is so called because it is set apart for the worship of G.o.d. That it is something more than a mere lecture hall, or concert room or auditorium, as it is commonly regarded by modern religionism will appear from the following taken from the Annotated Prayer Book: "The Church is the _House of G.o.d_, not man's house; a place wherein to meet with Him with the closest approach which can be made in this life. Hence, if Jacob consecrated with the ceremony of unction the place where G.o.d made His covenant with him, and said of it, 'This is none other but the House of G.o.d, and this is the Gate of Heaven'; so should our churches be set apart and consecrated with sacred ceremonies making them holy to the Lord.

So also, because they are to be in reality, and not by a mere stretch of the imagination, the Presence chambers of our Lord, we must regard them as the nearest to {140} Heaven in holiness of all places on earth by the virtue of that Presence. And lavishing all costly material, and all earnest skill upon their first erection and decoration, we shall ever after frequent them with a consciousness that 'the Lord is in His holy Temple,' and that all which is done there should be done under a sense of the greatest reverence towards Him."

Housel.--An old English word for the Holy Eucharist. Thus an old English canon of A.D. 960 orders every Priest "to give _housel_ (_i.e._ Holy Communion) to the sick when they need it." The word also appears in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, in Piers Plowman, Beaumont and Fletcher and also in Shakespeare. So, also, we find the term _houselling cloth_, meaning a large cloth spread before the people while receiving. The word evidently meant a _Sacrifice_.

Humble Access, Prayer of.--The name given to the beautiful prayer offered in great humility just before the Consecration in the Holy Communion, beginning, "We do not presume," etc. The words are taken from the most ancient Liturgies.

Hymn Board.--A tablet to which the numbers of the hymns to be sung at any service are affixed, and which is placed in a conspicuous place for the greater convenience and guidance of the congregation.

The purpose of the Hymn Board is to do away with the custom of announcing the day of the month and the hymns, but this is not generally carried out in practice.

Hymnal, The.--As the Church has a book for her _Common Prayer_, so also she has a book for her _Common Praise_, and this is known as THE HYMNAL. The {141} Hymnal as it now stands was set forth by the action of the General Convention of 1892, and is the outgrowth of much study, many changes and a great deal of legislation since the time when there was bound up with the Prayer Book a few hymns for congregational use. The present imposing volume has 679 hymns drawn from almost every source and age, and, no doubt, meets every need and requirement.

Hymns.--The first hymn mentioned in the annals of Christianity was that sung by the angels at the Birth of our Lord, from which we have the _Gloria in Excelsis_, and the second was that sung by our Lord and His Apostles immediately after the Last Supper in the upper room, known as the _Hallel_. In early times anything sung to the praise of G.o.d was called a hymn. Afterwards the use of the term became more restricted. Pliny shows that in the year 62 the Christians inst.i.tuted a custom of meeting together before sunrise to sing hymns of praise. Melody only was used, not harmony, and the tunes employed were, doubtless, of Jewish character. Originally all music of the Christian Church was almost entirely vocal. In the Third and Fourth Centuries the Christian Religion began to grow largely in the number of its followers, in wealth and position; magnificent churches were built under Constantine the Emperor, and then it came to pa.s.s that choirs were inst.i.tuted definitely by the Council of Laodicea, A.D. 367. For two centuries the music of the Church deteriorated. In the Sixth Century Gregory the Great inst.i.tuted many reforms, so that the credit of reviving real congregational singing belonged to him. (See GREGORIAN MUSIC.) The {142} connection of religion with music is shown by the fact that nearly every great revival of religion has been accompanied by a great outburst of song. Beginning with the Reformation, the form of hymn, called _chorale_, originated in the reformed Church of Germany and largely with Martin Luther. The most popular part in congregational singing was the singing of hymns and there have been three successive styles in hymn-tunes. The first was the diatonic; the second the florid (from 1730 to 1840), and the third the modern style (from 1840 to the present time). This modern style is in some respects a return to the old style of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries, with this distinction, that the harmonies instead of being pure diatonic are more chromatic and less plain. (See MUSIC, also ORGANS.)

Hypothetical Form.--(See BAPTISM, CONDITIONAL.)

I

Ichthus.--The Greek word for FISH (which see).