in Eastertide, except also on the Ember seasons which happen without the week of Pentecost. (The clerks or boys begin) Alleluya, (which the Choir then repeats, and continues with pneuma).14 Then the clerks sing the Verse, which varies throughout the year; and the Verse ended, Alleluya is repeated without pneuma if the Sequence is to follow, but with pneuma if otherwise. The Sequence is not sung on Sundays, when the service is of Sunday, except only on the Sundays in Advent, and Eastertide, and within the octave of Christmas. But in all festivals of the Saints, when the Choir has rulers, throughout the year, except from Septuagesima to Easter, and except in the feast of many Confessors, and of S. Michael in the Mount Tomb (Oct. 16) the Sequence is sung. Here follows the Sequence.15 And at the end of the Sequence, whatever it be, Amen is not sung, as is done at the end of other hymns. But, from Septuagesima to Maundy Thursday, both on Sundays, and feasts of nine lessons, instead of the Alleluya and Sequence, the Gradual having been sung with its Verse, then follows the Tract, which is sung by four clerics of the superior grade, in red silken copes, at the step of the Choir.16 14 The “pneuma" was a musical phrase, either sung by the choir to the last syllable of the antiphon, response, &c., as in the case noted above, or played by the organ, after the choir had ceased. Instances of "pneumas will be found in the Hymnal Noted, Hymn 28, "Victimæ Paschali," and Hymn 84, "Veni, Sancte Spiritus." 15 The sequence was a hymn, begun by the rulers of the choir, and carried on by the choir. It varied with each festival. The sequences for Easter and Pentecost, "To the Paschal Victim, Christians, bring," and "Come, Thou Holy Paraclete," are given in the Hymnal Noted, which see. 16 The "Tract" (which was also sung on some vigils and fasts) differed At the end of the Alleluya, Sequence, or Tract, the Deacon before he goes to the lectern to read the Gospel, incenses the Altar, in the midst only; for he shall never incense the lectern, either at Mass or Matins, before he reads the Gospel. Then he receives the Text, that is the book of the Gospels, and bowing humbly before the Priest who stands before the Altar, with his face towards the south, says without note,17 Sir, be pleased to bless. The Priest replies, The LORD be in thy heart and on thy lips that thou mayest worthily announce the Holy Gospel of God. In the Name, &c.18 Meanwhile the Sub-Deacon receives bread, and wine and water with the chalice, and prepares it for the administration of the Eucharist; first seeking a blessing of the water from the Priest thus; Bless. The Priest replies, The LORD. May it be blessed by Him, out of Whose side there came blood and water. In the Name, &c. Then the Deacon passes through the midst of the Choir, solemnly holding the Text in his left hand, the Taper-bearers and Thurifer going before; and if it be a double feast, the Cross also goes before, which will be held opposite to the Deacon, the face of the Crucifix turned towards him. Whenever the Epistle is read at the lectern, the Gospel is to be read in the same place. from the verse attached to the Alleluya, in being of some considerable length. Thus the Tract for the First Sunday in Lent consisted of thirteen verses of the 91st Psalm; that for the Saturday in the Ember Week in Advent a large portion of the Song of the Three Children; that for Palm Sunday thirteen verses of the 22nd Psalm; sometimes, however, the Tract consisted of only two or three verses. 17 I.e., without musical inflexion. 18 At Low Mass when the priest celebrated by himself, he said privately, Jube, Domine, benedicere, which might also be translated, Be pleased, O Lord, to bestow a blessing, and then added, The Lord be in my heart, &c. When the Deacon is come to the place of reading, the Sub-Deacon receives the Text, and standing opposite to the Deacon to his left holds the book open while the Gospel is read, the Taper-bearers assisting the Deacon, one on his right, the other on his left turned towards him; but the thurifer stands behind the Deacon, also turned towards him: and the Gospel is always read towards the north. And if the Bishop celebrates, all the ministers come down into the Choir to sing the Sequence, if there be one; except the principal Deacon, and the principal Sub-Deacon. When the Deacon begins the Gospel, after The LORD be with you, he makes the sign of the Cross first on the book, then on his forehead, and lastly on his breast with his thumb. The LORD be with you. And with thy spirit. The Continuation of the Gospel according to [Matthew]. The Choir respond, Glory be to Thee, O LORD; and turning towards the Altar sign themselves with the sign of the Cross.19 The Gospel ended, let the book be kissed; and then let the Sub-Deacon hand the Text to the Deacon, who carries it before his breast. The Priest returning to the midst of the Altar, sings aloud, I believe in One GOD, and the Nicene Creed is sung by the whole Choir. These are the feasts in which this Creed is sung, according to Sarum Use: all Sundays throughout the year at the Chief Mass; whether the service be of the Sunday or not.20 It is also said through the Octaves of Christmas, Easter and Pentecost, and in all double feasts throughout the year; also in all feasts of Apostles and Evangelists; in both feasts of the Holy Cross ; in the feast of S. Mary Magdalene; in both feasts of S. Michael; and in 19 The Gospel was sung with musical inflexions throughout. I a Mass for bride and bridegroom. It is also said at the commemoration of S. Mary throughout the year, and in the feast of any saint in whose honour the Church or Altar is dedicated, at the Altar of such saint only. Otherwise it is omitted. BELIEVE in One GoD: the FATHER ALMIGHTY, Maker of heaven and earth, And of all things visible and invisible. And in One LORD JESUS CHRIST, the Only-begotten Son of GOD, Begotten of His FATHER before all worlds, GoD of GOD, Light of Light, Very GoD of very GOD, Begotten, not made, Being of one substance with the FATHER; By Whom all things were made: Who for us men, and for our salvation came down from heaven. (Here the Choir inclines towards the Altar, saying,)21 And was incarnate by the HOLY GHOST of the Virgin Mary. (Here the Choir inclines again, saying), And was made man. (The Choir inclines a third time, saying,) And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures, And ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the Right Hand of the FATHER. And He shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead: Whose kingdom shall have no end. 21 These, and all inclinations of the choir were made turned towards the altar. E And I believe in the HOLY GHOST, the Lord and Giver of life, Who proceedeth from the FATHER and the SON, Who with the FATHER and the SON together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe One Holy Catholick and Apostolick Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead, (the Choir again inclines, saying,) And the life of the world to come. Amen. After the beginning of the Nicene Creed, the ministers having returned from the lectern to the Altar, the Deacon gives the book of the Gospels to the Priest to be kissed by him. Then the Priest turned towards the people says, The LORD be with you. The Choir reply, And with thy spirit. Then turning to the Altar he says, Let us pray. Then is said the Offertory.22 After the Offertory the Deacon carries to the Priest the chalice with the paten and sacrifice,23 and kisses his hand each time. And he, receiving the 22 The Offertory is a short antiphon generally taken from the Psalms. That for the First Sunday in Advent is given as a sample: Offertory.-To Thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul: my God, I have hoped in Thee, and shall not be confounded: neither shall mine enemies laugh me to scorn: for all they that hope in Thee shall not be confounded. In the ferial service in Lent and Advent a verse was added; otherwise not. 23 During the Offertory, the alms of the faithful were collected as in the present English rite. After this came the oblation of the elements. The "Sacrifice" was the technical term (answering to "Host ") for the large |