said at the foot of the chancel steps, the marriage
proper (with the ring) taking place at the Altar Rail.

Bible, The English.--The English Version of the Bible as we now
have it, commonly called the "Authorized Version" was set forth A.
D. 1611. It was the work of many hands and of several generations.
The translation made by William Tyndale, A.D. 1525, is regarded as
the foundation or primary version, as the versions that followed
were substantially reproductions of it. Three successive stages
may be recognized in the work of translation; (1) The publication
of the Great Bible in 1540; (2) The Bishop's Bible of 1568 and 1572
in the reign of Elizabeth, and (3) The publication {36} of the King's
Bible in 1611 in the reign of James I. Thus the form in which the
English Bible has now been read for more than 300 years was the
result of various revisions made between 1525 and 1611. This old
and familiar version of the Bible was revised A.D. 1881 by a large
body of English and American scholars, but their revision has never
become very popular. (See LECTIONARY, also SCRIPTURES IN PRAYER
BOOK).

Bidding Prayer.--The 55th canon of the English Church in 1603
enjoined a Bidding Prayer in the form of an Exhortation to be used
before all sermons, each petition or exhortation beginning, "Let us
pray for," or "Ye shall pray for," to which the people responded.
The term "Bidding" is from the old Saxon word "Bede," meaning
_prayer_. The Litany and, also, the Prayer for the Church Militant
in the Communion Office bear some resemblance to the Bidding Prayer,
especially in the enumeration of the objects prayed for. The Bidding
Prayer is now very rarely used, although attempts have been made to
revive its use, especially in purely preaching services.

Biretta.--A black cap of peculiar shape worn by the clergy in outdoor
processions and services and sometimes in Church. When worn by a
Bishop the color is purple.

Bishop.--The highest of the three Orders of the Sacred Ministry
(Bishops, Priests and Deacons). It is derived from the Greek word
_Episcopos_, the transition being, Episcopus, Biscop, Bishop; the
"p" melting into "b." The word means _overseer_. The functions
of a Bishop are to rule his Diocese, ordain to the Ministry,
administer Confirmation, consecrate Church {37} buildings, etc. The
Bishops are the successors of the Apostles and bear the same office.
That they are not now called Apostles will appear from the following
st