rch" (see rubric, 1661) the place selected being
generally the Chancel steps.

The _Exhortation_, 1549, from the "Consultation" chiefly; it rests
on the following passages of Holy Scripture:--Gen. ii. 24; Matt.
xix. 5; Eph. v. 22-33; John ii. 1-11; Heb. xiii. 4. No impediment
being alleged, the _Espousal_ or _Betrothal_ follows. The joining
of hands is from time immemorial the pledge of covenant, and is
here an essential part of the Marriage Ceremony. The words of the
betrothal are agreeable to the following passages: 1 Cor. xi. 1-12;
Eph. v. 22-33; Col. iii. 18, 19; 1 Tim. ii. 10-14; 1 Peter iii. 1-7.

The _Marriage Rite_ itself. The use of the ring is probably of
pre-Christian antiquity. The old Service directed it to be worn on
the fourth finger because "there is a vein leading direct to the
heart."

Gold and Silver was also given the bride in 1549, but omitted in
1552. The word "worship" means "honour," as in Wycliffe's Testament,
Matt. xix. 19, "_Worship_ thy father and thy mother."

(b) _The Post-Matrimonial Service_. The rubric directs only the
"minister or clerks" to go to the Lord's Table, but the practice
is to carry out the older rubric, 1549, "Then shall they"--the
whole marriage party--"go into the Quire." A second Psalm is added
for use in cases when the language of the first would be unsuitable.
The following rubric is almost unique, in directing the Priest to
turn his face to the people. The _Versicles_ are substantially the
same as those used at the Visitation of the Sick and in the
Churching of Women. The concluding rubric dates from 1661; the
rubric in 1549 definitely ordered the reception of Holy Communion.

MATTHEW'S (St.) DAY. Sept. 21st. This Apostle and Evangelist,
before his call to the apostleship, was known as Levi, the publican,
or tax-gatherer. He may possibly have been the brother of St. James
the Less, and of St. Thomas also. He was the first to write a Gospel,
which he addressed to the Jews, his aim being to show that Jesus was
the Messiah. It is probable that he alone, of all the New Testament
writers, wrote in Hebrew. His symbol is the Lion, according to St.
Augustine.

MATTHIAS'S (St.) DAY. Feb. 24th. Of St. Matthias we know simply
nothing, except that he was elected to the vacant place in the
Apostolic College, caused by the desertion and death of the traitor
Judas; Acts i. 15 to end.

MAUNDY THURSDAY. The Thursday before Easter, being the day on which
our Lord instituted th