able, shall
say or sing this Psalm following. Blessed are all, &c.

It is in accordance with this rubric that the Psalm should be said
or sung while going (in procession) to the Lord's Table. The
alternative, 'or Clerks,' does not affect the minister's going
to the Lord's Table, as may be seen in the original rubric of
the Prayer-Book of 1549, which ran 'Then shall they go into the
quire, and the Ministers or Clerks shall say, or sing,' &c. The
word 'clerks' being introduced in connection with the alternative
of singing, not with the going to the Lord's Table.

234. Or this Psalm. God be merciful, &c.

235. The Psalm ended, and the Man and the Woman, kneeling before
the Lord's Table, the Priest standing at the Table, and turning
his face towards them, shall say, Lord, have, &c.

The Priest must obviously stand at the midst of the Holy Table,
and between it and the man and woman kneeling at the steps thereof.

236. This Prayer next following shall be omitted, where the Woman
is past child-bearing. O merciful Lord, &c.

237. Then shall the Priest say. Almighty God, &c.

238. After which, if there be no Sermon declaring the duties of
Man and Wife, the Minister shall read as followeth. All ye, &c.

When the Holy Communion is celebrated at the time of a marriage,
the address, if used, is to be read in the usual place of the
sermon in the Communion Service.

In exercise of the liberty of choosing any suitable subject
relating to the duties of man and wife, it is well to insist
especially upon the indissolubility of the marriage tie.

239. It is convenient that the new-married persons should receive
the holy Communion at the time of their Marriage, or at the first
opportunity after their Marriage.

This rubric testifies to the intention of the Church that Matrimony
should be sealed by the reception of Holy Communion. When considered
in conjunction with the ancient feeling in favour of early and
fasting Communion, the direction of Canon 62, that Marriages should
be celebrated before twelve o'clock at noon, and the custom of
styling the subsequent festivity a breakfast, all point the same
way. And as Marriage is for all who desire it in the fear of God,
the Church hereby assumes that all her Members are Communicants.

THE ORDER FOR

THE VISITATION OF THE SICK.

240. When any person is sick, notice shall be given thereof to
the Minister of the Parish; who, coming into the sick person's
house, shall say,