on Services.

It is interesting to compare the Day Hour Hymns with the translations
which are to be found in Hymn-books.

In _Hymns Ancient and Modern_, the following examples are found:--1, 9,
10, 11, 14, 15, 38, 45, 47, 55, 75, 85, 87, 88, 90, 95, 96, 97, 125,
128, 144, 152, 153, 156, 157, 158, 430, 483, 509, 622. The renderings
are not equally close; but they give a good idea of the place in
worship which they occupied in the Day Hours. They will be found to
dwell on the thoughts of praise to God called forth (_a_) by the
sunshine and the beauties of nature, (_b_) by the work of the Holy
Spirit. When the Hymn followed the Capitulum, a Canticle came next.
The Capitulum, or Little Chapter, was one or two verses from the Bible
specially {62} chosen for the day; and the Hymn was directly connected
in subject with it.

Thus, at Lauds on Whitsunday, the Capitulum was, _When the Day of
Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place_
(Acts ii. 1), and the Hymn which followed immediately was _Come, Holy
Ghost_ (H. A. and M. 157); and _Benedictus_, which came next, had an
Antiphon, _Receive ye the Holy Ghost_, &c. (S. John xx. 22, 23).

These beautiful combinations show us that the Canticle after a Lesson
is designed to respond to the message of the Lesson, and to make with
it an act of Praise. We must dismiss from our minds all idea that our
Services were put together in a zigzag fashion, introducing something
different as soon as any Psalm or Lesson has been said. The
Service-makers valued variety of expression and method within
reasonable limits; but the Service itself proceeds from point to point
in a regulated progress. When the metrical Hymns were struck out, the
Canticles and the Lessons were left united together.

The Canticles.

The word Canticle means "little song" or "little chant," just as
versicle means "little verse," and particle "little part."

It has long been used to signify the Hymns from the Old and New
Testaments which were introduced into the Christian Services.

It will be seen that these Bible hymns are affixed {63} to the Lessons.
They are commonly known by the words with which they begin in Latin:
thus

_Te Deum laudamus_=Thee God we praise.

_Benedicite, omnia Opera_--Bless ye, O all Works.

_Benedictus_=Blessed.

_Jubilate_=O be joyful.

_Magnificat_ (_mea anima_)=(My soul) doth magnify.

_Cantate Domino_=O sing unto the Lord.

_Nunc dimittis_=Now th