Chapter 9

Golden Number.--The Golden Number is that {124} which marks the position of any given year in the Lunar Cycle, which is a period of nineteen years. Meton, an Athenian philosopher, discovered that, at the end of every such period, the new moons take place on the same days of the months whereon they occurred before its commencement. This discovery was considered to be so important, it became the custom to inscribe the rule for finding the moon's age on a tablet in _golden_ letters and placed in the market-place at Athens; hence arose the term _Golden Number_. The Golden Number may be found by adding one to the year of our Lord, and dividing the sum by 19, when the remainder, if any, is the _Golden Number_. If there be no remainder, the Golden Number is 19. _One_ is added to the year of our Lord because the first year of the Christian era was the second of the Cycle. The time of Easter may be found by means of the Golden Number. (See Tables in Prayer Book.)

Good Friday.--The Last Friday in Lent on which we commemorate the Death of our Lord. It is called Good Friday from the blessed results of our Saviour's sufferings, for by the shedding of His own most precious Blood He obtained eternal Redemption for us. It is the most solemn and binding of all Fridays and should be observed as an absolute Fast in token of our sorrow for sin, and in preparation for the Easter Communion. All unnecessary work, all social engagements and pleasures are especially to be avoided by all those who reverence their Lord, and remember of what Good Friday is the solemn memorial. It is a day of Church-going, and it will be found that the Good Friday services are very {125} impressive, solemn and soul-stirring. The Proper Psalms are the 22d, 40th and 54th in Morning Prayer, and the 69th and 88th for Evening Prayer. Proper Lessons and three special Collects, together with the Epistle and Gospel all set forth, amid the solemnities of worship, the momentous story of the Saviour's Passion and Death. In many places, it is usual to have in addition to the appointed services, the "THREE HOURS SERVICE" (which see), held from 12 M. to 3 P. M., in commemoration of our Lord's Agony on the Cross, and consisting of special prayers and hymns with addresses or meditations. The Holy Communion is not celebrated on Good Friday, in accordance with the immemorial usage of the Church; only the introductory portion of the service is used. The Altar is entirely stripped of its hangings and ornaments, except the cross, and is sometimes covered with black hangings. The observance of Good Friday is inwoven into the very texture of the Christian Religion, having been kept from the very first age of Christianity with strictest fasting and humiliation. The mind of the Church seems always to have been, "this day is not one of man's institution, but was consecrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when He made it the day of His most Holy Passion."

Good Shepherd, Sunday of.--The name given in the Western Church to the Second Sunday after Easter. The French know it as the Sunday of the _Bon Pasteur_. The name is suggested by the Gospel for the day which sets forth our Lord as "the Good Shepherd," and who in the Epistle is called the "Shepherd and Bishop of our Souls." {126}

Gospel.--The word "Gospel" is derived from the Anglo-Saxon _Godspell_, signifying "good news"; founded originally on certain words used by the angel in announcing the Saviour's Birth, viz.: "Behold, I bring you _good tidings_ of great joy" (St. Luke 2:10). The word is greatly misunderstood and frequently misapplied, the idea seems to be that "Gospel religion," "Gospel sermons" and "preaching the Gospel," mean certain doctrines such as individual election, calling, justification, sanctification and the like. These are regarded as being very Scriptural, and in accordance with the Scriptural method. When, however, we turn to the Scriptures we find that such doctrines are not "the Gospel" at all, but simply deductions from it. In the New Testament the word "Gospel" is applied _exclusively_ to the announcement of certain events, certain outward facts connected with the Second Person in the Blessed Trinity, namely, the Incarnation, Birth, Life, Death, Burial, Resurrection and Ascension of the Son of God. Such was the "good tidings" announced by the angelic choir, such is the purpose of the New Testament Scriptures, and that Gospel religion or Gospel preaching which brings these sublime facts to bear on the hearts and lives of men, as living realities and guiding motives, alone can be Scriptural and truly Gospel. This being the case, we can understand how the Church's Year with its changing seasons of joy and penitence, setting forth so clearly all these facts in our Lord's Life, preaches the very Gospel of Christ and in accordance with the Scriptural method. (See CHRISTIAN YEAR.)

Gospels, The.--The four canonical records of the {127} Life of our Lord written by St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke and St. John. The first three are called the "Synoptic Gospels," because they all look at the events they describe from the same point of view; while the standpoint of St. John is quite different. His purpose was not to give the history of our Lord as did the other Evangelists, but to teach the mysteries arising out of that history. For example, St. John says nothing about the circumstances of our Lord's Birth, but he sets forth the _mystery_ which those circumstances embraced,--the Incarnation of the Word, or eternal Son of God. For this reason, the Fourth Gospel is called by ancient writers a "Spiritual Gospel," because it contains less of historical narrative than the others and more of Doctrine.

Gospel, The Holy.--The title given to the passage from the Gospels read at Holy Communion, commonly called "the Gospel for the Day." During the reading of the Holy Gospel the people are to stand as required by the rubric. This custom is intended to show a reverent regard to the Son of God above all other messengers.

Gospel Side.--The north side of the Altar (the left side as we face the Altar) at which the Holy Gospel is read. (See EPISTLE SIDE.)

Gospeller.--The Priest or Deacon appointed to read the Holy Gospel at a celebration of the Holy Eucharist, is so, called.

Government, Church.--(See EPISCOPACY.)

Gown, The Black.--An Academical gown; an official or distinctive dress worn by students and officers of a College or University, and also by officials of a {128} Court of Justice. It is not an ecclesiastical garment, although it was customary during a time of great spiritual decadence in the Church for the gown with bands to be worn during the preaching of the sermon in the service. This, however, has long since been given up; the surplice is more properly worn.

Grace.--The word "grace" means a _special favor_, and is applied to the whole obedience, merit, Passion and Death of our Lord and the benefits that flow from them,--justification, wisdom, sanctification, Redemption. The Church, which is the Body of Christ, is called the _Kingdom of Grace_, for in it we become members of Christ and partakers of His grace and heavenly benediction. The Sacraments, as well as other ordinances, are called "means of grace," because they are the appointed instrumentalities whereby God gives grace to His faithful people, to help them in living faithfully and in obtaining Salvation.

Gradine.--A name sometimes given to the shelf at the back of the Altar and attached to the wall or reredos, upon which are placed the candlesticks, flowers and other ornaments. There may be two or more such shelves.

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 illustrated 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 surpasses 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 "Hell," not, however, the place of torment. (See DESCENT INTO HELL, 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 God's eternal and everlasting glory.

Hell.--The final abode of the wicked and impenitent. Justin Martyr, an ancient Father of the Church, who lived A.D. 150, describes Hell as "a place where those are to be punished who have lived wickedly, and who do not believe that those things which God hath taught us by Christ will come to pass." The original Greek word for "Hell," 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. Titus 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 God 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 God 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 circumstance of its institution. 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, unbloody, 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 Passion 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 God 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 God, 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 illustrated 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 associated 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 pronounce 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 God, is the only Saviour of the world, in whom alone all mercies, graces and promises {137} of God 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 God 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 Passion, 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 God. 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 institution of the Blessed Sacrament with its "Do this in remembrance of Me"; _Good Friday_, the day of the Crucifixion and Death, and _Saturday_, Easter Even, which commemorates the Descent of our Lord's soul into Hell while His Body rested in the grave.

Homilies.--The two books of Homilies or Sermons referred to in the XXXVth 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 XXXVth 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.