The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia Part 17

Psalm 51 shows the great sorrow of a sinner for his sins.

Psalm 102 shows how a sinner in affliction of mind prays to G.o.d and derives comfort from His help and goodness.

Psalm 130 shows how a sinner in tribulation cries to G.o.d for deliverance; while

Psalm 143 may be used in any spiritual or temporal tribulation.

Pentecost.--The Greek name for the "Feast of Weeks" in the Jewish Church. The word means _fiftieth_, the Feast being fifty days after the Feast of the Pa.s.sover. Whitsun Day is so called, being observed fifty days after Easter, the Christian Pa.s.sover, and because it was on the Day of Pentecost that the Holy Ghost was given. (See WHITSUN DAY.)

Peter, festival of Saint.--A Holy Day of the Church observed on June 29th in honor of the Apostle Saint Peter, and is one of the oldest of Christian Festivals, having been traced back to the Second Century. St. Peter was one of the first two disciples {212} whom our Lord called. His original name was Simon or Simeon, which was changed into Cephas, which in the Syrian language, signifies a _stone_ or _rock_; from this it was derived into the Greek _Petros_, and so termed by us Peter. This new name was to denote the firmness and constancy which St. Peter should manifest in preaching the Gospel and in establishing the Church. He has left two Epistles which appear in the New Testament as the "First and Second Epistles General of St. Peter." It is said that his later years were spent at Rome where he was crucified with his head downwards, on the hill where the Vatican now stands, on the same day, June 29th (as is generally believed) that St. Paul was beheaded A.D. 63. In ecclesiastical art St. Peter is variously represented, with a key in his hand; with a key and church; with keys and cross; in chains and in prison, etc.

Philip (St.) and St. James' Day.--A Festival observed on May 1st in memory of two Apostles of our Lord, St. Philip and St. James. The reason for coupling together the names of these two Apostles is not quite clear, but it may be taken as an ill.u.s.tration of the manner in which our Lord sent forth His Apostles, two and two. St. Philip was a native of Bethsaida, a town bordering on the Sea of Tiberias and was one of the first of our Lord's disciples and was His constant companion and follower. He brought Nathanael, a person of great note and eminence, to the knowledge of the Messiah; and it was to St.

Philip that certain Greeks went with the request, "Sir, we would see Jesus." St. Philip is said to have carried the Gospel to Northern Asia, where by his {213} preaching and miracles he made many converts; his name has also been connected with the Church in Russia. He suffered martyrdom at Hieropolis, a city of Phrygia, where he was crucified and stoned on the cross. In ecclesiastical art St. Philip is variously represented; with a basket in his hand; with two loaves and a cross; with a tall cross and book, etc. For notice of St. James see article on James (St.) the Less.

Piscina.--A stone basin with a drain pipe to carry off water used in the ablutions of the sacred vessels at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

Plain Song.--The name given to the ancient music with which the Church service was rendered. Thus Blunt in the Annotated Prayer-book, speaking of Church music says, "In the remodeling of our English services, the great aim was not to discard, but to utilize the ancient plain song, to adapt it to the translated offices, to restore it to something more of its primitive 'plainness,' to rid it of its modern corruptions, its wearisome ornaments and flourishes so that the Priest's part, on the one hand, might be intelligible and distinct, not veiled in a dense cloud of unmeaning notes, and the people's part made so easy and straightforward as to render their restored partic.i.p.ation in the public worship of the Sanctuary at once practicable and pleasurable."

Post Communion.--The name given to that portion of the Communion Office which is read after all have communicated, and is the giving of thanks for the grace received.

Postulant.--The canonical name for one who {214} desires to become a Candidate for Holy Orders and whose name is entered by the Bishop upon the list of Postulants, as required by Canon 2, t.i.tle I of the Digest. A Postulant having been duly received may afterwards be recommended by the Standing Committee of the Diocese, to the Bishop for admission as a Candidate for Holy Orders.

Postures in Public Worship.--The principles involved in the postures to be taken in Public Worship are set forth in the article on KNEELING (which see). While to the stranger in the Church the various postures taken in the services seem complicated, yet the rule for them is very simple, which is this: We stand in praise, kneel in prayer and are seated during the hearing of the Word.

Prayer.--Prayer has been defined as the soul's converse with G.o.d, or communion with G.o.d in devotional exercises, and may be said to be a universally recognized necessity in the life of man. But prayer involves much more than simply asking for certain things, which seems to be the common conception of this duty. Properly speaking, prayer consists of five parts, as follows:

1. Adoration 2. Thanksgiving / which concern G.o.ds glory.

3. Confession 4. Pet.i.tion / which concern our individual needs.

5. Intercession, which concerns the needs of others.

The efficacy of prayer rests on the Mediation of Christ, and its warrant is to be found in the words, "Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall {215} find; knock and it shall be opened unto you."

G.o.d our Father has promised to hear the pet.i.tions of those who ask in His Son's Name, and who faithfully call upon Him and we know that His promise cannot fail. There are many remarkable instances of the power of prayer to be found both in the Old and the New Testaments, as well, also, in the lives of many earnest and faithful men who, in this present time, continue "instant in prayer."

Prayer Book, The.--The t.i.tle of our manual of devotions is "The Book of Common Prayer." It is called _Common Prayer_, because it is to be used by the Congregation in Public Worship, and is thus distinguished from prayer in private. As such it comprehends the needs, feelings and devotions common to all. The efficacy of Common Prayer consists in its being a united service and to this end arises the necessity of a prescribed form. Such prescribed form had its origin in the Christian Church from the very earliest ages, and so early were Liturgies introduced that four of them are mentioned under the names of St. Peter, St. Mark, St. James and St. John. (See LITURGIES.) Liturgies thus became an inherent feature of the Christian Church, and wherever it was planted its worship was according to such prescribed form. Thus when Christianity was introduced into Britain we find a Liturgy in use there from the beginning. This Liturgy continued in use, although varying in many details in different dioceses, until it was superseded by the Book of Offices set forth by Osmund, Bishop of Salisbury, in A.D. 1078, known as the _Sarum Use_. This was adopted with little variation by {216} most of the Churches of the Kingdom. But gradually the Public Offices became defaced by the innovations and corruptions of Rome; these, however, were expunged at the time of the Reformation and the Book of Common Prayer was set forth. The Prayer-book as we now have it is the result of a long period of study and legislation. It is to be noticed that it was not the object of the English Reformers to create something new, to introduce innovations, but simply to exclude errors and corruptions. To this end, they retained those portions of the ancient Formularies which were sanctioned by the Holy Scriptures and by primitive usage. The first practical result of this movement is seen in the First Prayer-book of Edward VI set forth in English, and which was publicly used on Whitsun Day, June 9th, 1549. Afterwards many other revisions took place, until the English Prayer-book, as it practically is now, was set forth in 1662; since which time only a few and unimportant changes have been made. The American Prayer-book, adapted from the English Book was set forth and ratified October 16th, 1789, and afterwards revised in 1883-1892, as it now stands. (See RESPONSIVE SERVICE, FORMS, also SCRIPTURES IN PRAYERBOOK.)

Prayers for the Dead.--Prayers for the departed are in accordance with the devout instinct and loving heart of man, and are sanctioned by all the Liturgies of the Primitive Church. In these we find that the commemorations of the departed were not only general commemorations, but that names of persons who were to be prayed for were read out from the DIPTYCHS {217} (which see). The devout mind does not argue about "Prayers for the Dead," he prays them.

"How can I cease to pray for thee? Somewhere In G.o.d's great universe thou art to-day.

Can He not reach thee with His tender care?

Can He not hear me when for thee I pray?"

Precentor.--The name given to the choirmaster; one who is director of the music in a choir.

Pre-Lenten Season.--The name commonly given to the weeks preceding Lent covered by the three Sundays ent.i.tled, _Septuagesima_, _s.e.xagesima_ and _Quinquagesima_. The Season is so called because the services on these Sundays are intended to prepare us for the due observance of Lent. (See SEPTUAGESIMA.)

Presbyter.--The original word for "Elder" in the New Testament is _Presbuteros_, shortened in English to _Presbyter_; further shortened to _Prester_, and finally to PRIEST (which see, also ELDER).

Presentation of Christ.--A Festival of the Church observed on February 2. It is a double Festival as we learn from its t.i.tle which reads, "The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, commonly called the Purification of Saint Mary the Virgin." "This connection,"

says Blunt, "of the two events is, doubtless, to show the close relation which the acts of the Blessed Virgin bore to the Incarnation of our Lord; and that she is most honored by a.s.sociating her with her divine Son." The Festival is popularly called CANDLEMAS (which see). It is the fortieth day after Christmas, that being the period at which the rites of Purification and Presentation were enjoined by the Law. {218}

Presiding Bishop.--The name given to the Senior Bishop by consecration of the American Church, who presides in the House of Bishops and in the General Convention when both Houses meet as one body. When the Convention is not in session he acts as Primate of the American Church. Following is the list of those Bishops who have acted as

Presiding Bishops:

1--Bishop Seabury from Nov. 14, 1784, to Feb. 25, 1796.

2--Bishop White from Feb. 25, 1796 to July 17, 1836.

3--Bishop Griswold from July 17, 1836, to Feb. 16, 1842.

4--Bishop Chase from Feb. 16, 1842, to Sept. 20, 1852.

5--Bishop Brownell from Sept. 20, 1852, to Jan. 13, 1865.

6--Bishop Hopkins from Jan. 13, 1865, to Jan. 9, 1868.

7--Bishop Smith from Jan. 9, 1868, to May 31, 1884.

8--Bishop Lee from May 31, 1884 to April 12, 1887.

9--Bishop Williams from April 12, 1887 to Feb. 7, 1899.

10--Bishop Clark from Feb. 7, 1899.

Priest.--The shortened form for Presbyter. The t.i.tle of the second Order of the Ministry. His chief duties are to offer the Holy Sacrifice in the Eucharist, to administer Baptism, to give absolution, to give the Priestly Blessing at Marriages, Churchings, and at other services of the Church: in fact, to exercise every sacred function which is not properly or exclusively Episcopal, that is, belonging to the Bishop. (See PRESBYTER, also ELDER.)

Primate.--The name given to a Metropolitan or Archbishop who is the presiding Bishop of a National Church.

Prime.--One of the seven CANONICAL HOURS (which see). {219}

Prisoners.--(See VISITATION OF PRISONERS.)

Private Baptism.--(See BAPTISM, PRIVATE.)

Proanaphora.--A more Churchly name for the introductory parts of the Communion Office, commonly called "Ante Communion." Properly speaking, the Proanaphoral service includes all that portion of the Communion service which precedes the _Sursum Corda_, "Lift up your hearts."

Pro-Cathedral.--A Parish Church used for Cathedral or Diocesan purposes, but without the formation of a legal Cathedral organization and without a Cathedral chapter.

Procession of the Holy Ghost.--The word "Procession" is used to express the relation in the Blessed Trinity between the Father and the Holy Ghost. As we believe that the Son is eternally begotten of the Father, so we believe that the Holy Ghost is a Person eternally proceeding from the Father, as set forth in the article of the Creed, "Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son." The words "and the Son" were added later, and the article is generally interpreted as meaning that the Holy Ghost emanates from the Father through the Son, and therefore proceeds from both; or as an ancient writer expressed it, "Always hath the Spirit proceeded from the Father and received of the Son." (See HOLY GHOST, also FILIOQUE.)

Processional Cross.--The standard Cross borne in front of a procession of Choir and Clergy as they enter or go out of the church. This method of entering the church is a very old custom and still prevails where the choir is vested. {220}

Proper Lessons.--The portions of Scripture from the Old and New Testaments appointed to be read on a Sunday or Holy Day at Morning and Evening Prayer. The word "Proper" as thus used is intended to indicate that the Lesson is appropriate to the Sunday or Holy Day and is to be read on that day instead of the Lesson appointed for the Daily Office. (See LECTIONARY, also LESSON.)

Proper Preface.--The Preface is that portion of the Communion Office, beginning with the words "Lift up your hearts," immediately preceding the TER SANCTUS (which see), and the _Proper Preface_ contains the additional words set forth to emphasize the great Truths commemorated on certain High Festivals, namely, Christmas Day, Easter Day, Ascension Day, Whitsun Day and Trinity Sunday.

Proper Psalms.--Certain great days of the Church are so important in the truths they set forth, the Church hath thought good to order that all Holy Scriptures that can possibly be used in ill.u.s.tration thereof shall be read on those days. Thus in addition to the Proper Lessons there are also _Proper Psalms_, and the days for which they are appointed with the number of the Psalms to be read are to be found in the Table prefixed to the Psalter in the Prayer-book.

Protestant.--A name given to certain persons who protested against a law made by the Emperor Charles V and his Diet in 1529. The name is commonly applied to what are known as "Evangelical Denominations,"

as opposed to Romanism. But as so many Heretics, Atheists, Free-thinkers and Nothingarians are included under the name _Protestant_, the word is going {221} out of use among Church-people, having lost much of its proper meaning.

Protestant Episcopal.--(See AMERICAN CHURCH.)

Provinces.--The name given to certain grouping together of two or more Dioceses for the more convenient management of the work and legislation of the Church. The chief or presiding Bishop of the Province is generally the Bishop of the metropolis or chief city and therefore he is styled Metropolitan, and also Archbishop. In England the Church is divided into two Provinces, Canterbury and York. The Church in the United States is practically only one Province. But the growth and increase of the Church here have been so great, it is being found more and more necessary to seek a proper division into Provinces, and steps have already been taken to this end.

Psalter, The.--The name given to the Book of Psalms as set forth in the Prayer-book for use in Public Worship. The Psalms were originally set forth to be sung, not said, and this is the only proper way of rendering them in the Church's service. The colon to be found in each verse of the Psalter is put there to facilitate chanting them. The present method of reading the Psalter arose simply from lack of musical facilities in the early days of the Church in this country; and because this method still prevails in many places, the average Churchman thinks this is the proper way of rendering them. This is a mistake, and in many parishes this mistake has been corrected; the Psalter for the day being sung just as the detached Psalms, such as the _Venite_, _Jubilate_, etc., are sung.

It is to be noted that the version of the Psalter {222} is not that of the Authorized Version of 1611, but that of the Great Bible of 1540. This was retained in the Prayer-book because the people had become familiar with it, and because it is more rhythmical and suited to chanting. The Psalter is divided into sixty portions to be used at Daily Morning and Evening Prayer and is thus designed to be read through once a month. (See DAILY PRAYER.)