re entirely re-modelled by Archbishop Parker and
Convocation, when they were reduced to 38. In 1571, Parker and
Convocation added Article xxix., which made up our present 39,
which were subscribed in the Upper House of Convocation, by the
Archbishops and Bishops, and by all the clergy of the Lower House.
They were published the year after (1572) under the superintendence
of Bishop Jewel, and the Ratification, still subjoined to them in
the Prayer Book, was added. With regard to their arrangement--The
first five treat of the doctrine of the Holy Trinity; the three
following establish the rule of Christian Faith; from the ninth to
the eighteenth they bear reference to Christians considered as
individuals; and thence to the end they relate to Christians,
considered as Members of a Church or religious society.

ASCENSION DAY or HOLY THURSDAY. The observation of this Festival
cannot be traced with certainty to an earlier period than the 4th
century, although, in the Western Church, at any rate, it was in
St. Augustine's time so thorough and universal, that he supposes it
to have had an Apostolic origin. It is one of the four great
Festivals of the Church. It is held forty days after Easter, in
memory of our Lord's _Ascension_ into heaven. Special psalms and
lessons are appointed for the day, as is also a special preface in
the Communion Service.

ASH-WEDNESDAY. The first day of Lent. It is so called from the
ceremony anciently used in admitting people to penance, ashes being
sprinkled upon their heads.

A special service, called the Commination Service, is appointed
for use on this day.

ASSOCIATIONS, CHURCH, _see_ Societies.

ATHANASIAN CREED, _see_ Creed.

ATHEIST. The "fool who saith in his heart, There is no God." Ps liii.
The _atheist_ differs entirely from the _sceptic_ and _agnostic_
(which see). In "A plea for Atheism," the writer says: "If the word
'God' is defined to mean an existence other than that existence of
which I am a mode, then I deny 'God,' and affirm that it is
impossible that 'God' can be." The Psalmist's definition is the
clearer.

ATONEMENT. Originally _at-one-ment_, the reconciling of two parties
who were before at variance. From that the word easily passed into
a term to denote the means by which the reconciliation was made,
viz: the life and death of our Saviour, Eph. ii. 16.

The doctrine of the Church on this subject is expressed in Article
11.

ATTRITION. This term is used by Roman