or it is found by
actual experience that the surpliced choir of men and boys,
numbering from twenty to sixty voices according to the size of
the parish, is better suited to render the Church's music, more
in keeping with the Church's devotions and {251} more inspiring and
helpful to the congregation. Many a parish has thus been lifted
up, strengthened, the services made more attractive and the
attendance at them increased, because the music rendered in this
manner becomes thoroughly congregational, such as the people
themselves can join in and make it their own.

Sursum Corda.--The Latin title of that portion of the Communion
Office which begins, "Lift up your hearts," which the Latin words
mean. This is found almost word for word in every known Liturgy
from the earliest times, and without doubt has come down to us from
the Apostolic Age. Even at so early a date as A.D. 252 we find St.
Cyprian giving an explanation of the meaning and purpose of the
_Sursum Corda_ as follows: "It is for this cause that the Priest
before worship uses words of introduction and puts the minds of
his brethren in preparation by saying, 'Lift up your hearts'; that
while the people answer, 'We lift them up unto the Lord,' they may
be reminded that there is nothing for them to think of except the
Lord."

Symbol.--The ancient name for "Creed," which in the Greek language
was called _Symbolon_, _i.e._, watchword, by which as the sentinel
recognizes a friend, so the Christian soldier is distinguished from
the open enemies or false friends of the Religion of Christ.

Synod.--The word used in the Eastern Church for what is called in
the Western Church a _Council_. It is from a Greek word meaning
coming together. (See COUNCIL.) {252}

T

Table.--(See Lord's Table.)

Te Deum.--The Latin title of the hymn beginning "We praise Thee, O
God," sung after the First Lesson at Morning Prayer. It is one of
the oldest of Christian hymns. The old tradition that it was first
sung impromptu and antiphonally by St. Ambrose and St. Augustine at
the Baptism of the latter in A.D. 386, is not now accepted, as
there is evidence to show that the Te Deum is much older than the
time of St. Ambrose. So early as A.D. 252, we find St. Cyprian
using almost the same words as occur in the Te Deum. It is now
generally believed that this noble canticle in its present form, is
a composition of the Fourth or Fifth Century and that it represents
a still more ancient hymn