difficulties, no one can be more sensible of its imperfections than myself. It is hoped, however, that the general spirit of its decorations, as suggested by the motto, Benedicite omnia opera, will appeal to Churchmen, and be found in harmony with that offering of devotion and praise which the Church, in her liturgy, puts before us as most justly due from the creature to the Creator, not for our own edification, but as our divine service to Almighty God.

Prior to 1892 no Prayer Book was considered to be an authorized edition unless it contained the approbation of the Bishop of the Diocese wherein it was printed. The General Convention introduced a change in 1892, by the passage of a Canon containing these words: "No copy nor edition of the Book of Common Prayer shall be made, printed, published, or used as of authority in this Church, unless it contain the authorization of the Custodian of the Standard Book of Common Prayer, certifying that he or some person appointed by him has compared the said copy or edition with the said Standard or a certified copy thereof, and that it conforms thereto.

The Rev. Dr. Hart reports that "The whole number of copies of the Prayer Book thus far printed from the new Standard has been about one million one hundred thousand."

PRAYER BOOK OF THE EVANGELICAL

EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

A RARE book, and one with which but few people are familiar, is that which was issued as the form of worship of the Evangelical Episcopal Church, in 1821, at Baltimore. The volume is an 18mo of 454 pages. More than half of the book is occupied with Psalms and Hymns. The liturgical part is confined to 144 pages, and the remaining 310 pages to the psalms, hymns and index. The title page reads: "The Book of Common Prayer and administration of the Sacraments; and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, according to the use of the Evangelical Episcopal Church; together with a selection of Psalms and Hymns. Baltimore: Printed by Richard J. Matchett, corner of Water and Gay streets, 1821."

The reverse of the title page is blank. On the middle of the next page are these words:

The ratification of the Book of Common Prayer by the Council of the Evangelical Episcopal Church, this 28th day of April, in the year of our Lord 1821:

Fac-simile of the title page of the Prayer Book of the Evangelical Episcopal Church. Printed by Richard J. Matchett, at Baltimore, in 1821. Exact size.

This Council, having in their present session, set forth a Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, do hereby establish the said book; and recommend that it be received by all the members of the Church.

The next two pages contain Tables of Lessons of Holy Scripture. Then follows The Order of Daily Prayer. The rubrics in many cases are omitted and in others altered and abbreviated. The declaration of Absolution is retained and occurs twice in the Holy Communion office. The Psalter is wholly omitted, and twenty-one selections of Psalms substituted. The Te Deum remains, but the Benedicite is omitted. In the Apostles' Creed the sentence, "He descended into hell," is stricken out, and the book does not contain the Nicene Creed. In the prayer for the President of the United States and all in Civil Authority, the word "influence" takes the place of "replenish," and the line, "grant them in health and prosperity long to live," has been cancelled. The Order for Daily Prayer is designed for either morning or evening service, as there is no separate form.

The next office is The Litany or General Supplication, "to be used at the discretion of the Minister." The fourth petition is changed so as to read: "O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity,