y Canon 83, a raised desk, called a pulpit,
is ordered in every church, from which the preacher is to address
his flock.

PURGATORY. A place in which souls are, by the Romanists, supposed
to be purged from carnal impurities, before they are received into
heaven. The Council of Florence, 1439, first gave an authoritative
decree concerning Purgatory,--"If any who truly repent depart from
this life before that by worthy fruits of repentance they have
made satisfaction for their sins of commission and omission, their
souls are purified after death, and to relieving these pains, the
suffrages of the faithful who are alive, to wit, the sacrifice of
masses, prayers, alms, and other pious works, are profitable. But
whether purgatory is a fire, or a mist, or a whirlwind, or anything
else, we do not dispute."

The idea of Purgatory was very early broached by individuals. St.
Augustine, 398, speaks of it as a thing which "possibly may be
found so, and possibly never;" the Venerable Bede says it is "not
altogether incredible." Origen, in the 3rd century, is by some
thought to have been the first to teach distinctly the doctrine
of Purgatory, but his view differs altogether from the Roman.
Article xxii. gives the view of the Church of England on this
subject. "Purgatory... is a fond thing, vainly invented, and
grounded upon no warranty of Scripture, but rather repugnant to
the word of God." However, in the celebrated "Essays and Reviews"
case, the point arose in respect of a doctrine, scarcely discernible
from that of Purgatory, being taught by Mr. H. B. Wilson, and the
Privy Council decided that there is no condemnation of it in the
Anglican formularies. The teaching of Article xxii. is borne out
by the following: Luke xxiii, 43; Phil. i 23; 2 Cor. v. 8; Rev.
xiv. 13; and many other passages.

PURIFICATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. February 2nd. The
alternative title (the "Presentation of Christ in the Temple,")
suggests the lesson to be drawn from all the services of the day.
The name "Candle-mas Day" is derived from the custom of a procession
with torches, superseding (it is thought) the heathen festival of
torches to Ceres in the early part of February, with a reference
to the true "light to lighten the Gentiles." Exodus xiii. 1-17 (the
proper lesson for the day) gives the Mosaic law of the dedication
of the first-born.

PURITANS. A name assumed by the ultra-Protestants in the reigns of
Elizabeth, James I., and Charles