t usage of the Church, which requires that
nothing shall be placed on the Altar but the Eucharistic vessels,
the book rest and the book.

Retreat.--This is a term used to designate a time of retirement as
a means of deepening the Spiritual life of the Clergy, for whose
benefit it is held. It involves a temporary submission to the
monastic rule of silence, meditation, confession and conference.
In Holy Scripture we read of our Lord and His disciples {231}
constantly going into retreat in some shape or other. Christ on the
hilltop, St. Paul in the desert near Damascus, St. Peter on the roof
of his house, retired for prayer and meditation. The Retreat as now
conducted gives each one the opportunity to make special effort to
see more clearly those great principles of Religion which can only
be seen by such effort and by such special spiritual exercises.
In some Dioceses an annual Pre-Lenten Retreat is held for both
Bishop and clergy in preparation for the solemn and spiritual work
of Lent. It is a cheering sign of spiritual revival which many will
welcome, to see Bishop and Clergy thus meeting and withdrawing for
a season from the world, for prayer, for intercommunion and
instruction.

Ring.--The custom of the Wedding Ring was probably adopted by the
early Church from the marriage customs of the Jews and also of the
heathen, as its use has been almost universal. From its shape,
having neither beginning nor ending, it is regarded as an emblem
of eternity, constancy, and integrity. It is placed on the fourth
finger of the woman's left hand, and the ancient ceremony of doing
so was to place it first on the thumb at the Name of the first
Person of the Trinity; on the next finger, at the Name of the Son;
on the third at the Name of the Holy Ghost, and then on the fourth
finger, and leaving it there at the word "Amen." The ring is, also,
frequently given at the consecration of a Bishop, to symbolize his
espousal with the Church in his Diocese. Thus bestowed, it is the
symbol of authority and is called the _Episcopal Ring_. {232}

Rites and Ceremonies.--The Rites and Ceremonies of the Church are
based on the Apostolic injunction, "Let all things be done decently
and in order." By _rites_ are meant certain prescribed ordinances,
and by _ceremonies_ certain sacred observances, as distinguished
from Sacraments. These when prescribed by lawful authority are
instrumental in promoting uniformity of worship and are conducive
to regu