constrained to act without them, and
consequently they are in much the same position as the Scottish
Presbyterian body, though not from the same cause. The Lutherans
earnestly protested, that they much wished to retain episcopacy,
but that the Bishops forced them to reject sound doctrine, and
therefore they were unable to preserve their allegiance to them.
The ritual and liturgies differ in the various Lutheran countries,
but in fundamental articles they all agree.

LYCH GATE. A covered gate of the churchyard where the body (_Leich_,
a corpse) rests on its way to burial.

MAGNIFICAT. The song of the Blessed Virgin, Luke i. It is the first
canticle of Evening Prayer, and has been sung in the Church from
very early times.

MANIPLE, or MANUPLE, _see_ Vestment.

MARIOLATRY. The worship, or cultus, of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
One of the principal errors of the Church of Rome, and on the
increase.

MARK'S (St.) DAY. April 25th. St. Mark was a companion of St.
Peter, and is thought to have written his Gospel under St. Peter's
directions. This evangelist is symbolized by the _Man_.

MARRIAGE, _see_ Matrimony, Holy.

MARTINMAS. November 11th. A festival formerly kept in honour of St.
Martin, Bishop of Tours, in France, in 374.

MARTYR. One who lays down his life for his religion. The word means
a "witness." St. Stephen was the first, or proto-martyr.

MARY, The BLESSED VIRGIN. We admit to her the title of "Mother of
God," but protest against her being worshipped. No instance of
Divine honour being _paid_ her is earlier than the fifth century.
Two festivals only in the Church of England are kept in her honour,
viz., the Purification, and the Annunciation.

MASS. In Latin, _Missa_, with which word congregations were
accustomed to be dismissed. Then it was used for the congregation
itself, and finally became applied only to the Communion Service.

MATERIALISM. One of the philosophies of the day which looks upon
everything as the out-come of mere physical energy; denies the soul,
and every spiritual force; and regards matter as eternal.

MATINS, _see_ Morning Prayer.

MATRIMONY, HOLY. With regard to the Marriage Laws, the Church and
the State are not agreed. The former maintains Holy Matrimony to be
a religious ceremony, while the State recognises the legality of
mere civil contracts, and allows people to enter into the nuptial
state by a civil ceremony. We find the early Fathers distinctly
stating that marriage is