given to Holy Baptism,
which is the Laver of Regeneration, the new and spiritual Birth.
(See BAPTISM, HOLY; also REGENERATION.)

Nicea, Council of.--The first of the great ecumenical Councils, held
in Nice, or Nicea, A.D. 325. It was at this Council that what we
call the Nicene Creed was set forth although additional definitions
touching the Holy Ghost were inserted at the Second General Council
(the first held at Constantinople, A.D. 381) and therefore, this
form of the Faith is frequently called the Niceno-Constantinopolitan
Creed. It is to {196} be noted that this Council did not originate
the Creed or the Faith; it simply bore witness to it; its members
simply testified to what was always most surely believed among them
in their several Dioceses throughout the world. Thus the Nicene
Council simply reaffirmed the consentient voice and witness of the
Church in general. Or as St. Athanasius, who was a member of this
council, wrote concerning it, "About the Faith they wrote not 'It
seemed good,' but 'Thus believes the Catholic Church'; and therefore
they confessed how they believed, in order to show that their
sentiments were not novel, but Apostolical, and what they wrote
down was no discovery of theirs, but is the same as was taught by
the Apostles." (See COUNCIL.)

Nicene Creed.--The name commonly given to the longer of the two
Creeds set forth in the Prayer Book, from its being settled at the
COUNCIL OF NICEA (which see). It was introduced into the Liturgy,
A.D. 471. The rubric directs that it be specially recited in the
service on Christmas Day, Easter Day, Ascension Day, Whitsun Day
and Trinity Sunday; but it is always used at the Holy Communion
whenever celebrated. The Nicene is the Creed of worship; the
Apostles' the Creed of Instruction and of the Daily Offices.

Nocturns.--A name given to certain services which in ancient times
were held during the night. The Psalter was usually recited during
the three parts into which the night was divided. One of the seven
CANONICAL HOURS (which see).

Nonconformists.--A name given in England {197} to those who do not
conform to the usages and doctrines of the National Church. The
word as used now is practically synonymous with _Dissenter_.

Nones.--One of the seven CANONICAL HOURS (which see). The "ninth
hour," or 3 P. M.

North Side.--That part of the front of the Altar which is on the
right hand of the Cross, and consequently on the left of the
Celebrant as he f