SHORT READINGS AT FAMILY OR PRIVATE PRAYER, &c. I.-On the due observance of Saints' Days. HEB. xiii. 7, 8.-" Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the Word of GOD: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation, JESUS CHRIST the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." "REMEMBER those who have been your rulers, or your spiritual guides, who have spoken unto you the Word of God." Who are meant by these rulers? It is to be remarked that those persons whom S. Paul here designates by a title, which we translate rulers, are described by the very title by which the Bishops or rulers of the Church were known very early in the Church's history. And that S. Paul is not speaking of those then living, or bearing rule at the time of the writing of this Epistle is evident not only from the construction of the words themselves, but also from the expression that follows "considering the end of their conversation," that, is their departure out of this life. Those who were alive he commands to obey, in the 17th verse: "obey them that have the rule over you," but those who were dead, he exhorts them to remember, or commemorate, and that in reference to the manner of their death, so that they might testify their love and gratitude, and learn to "follow" their "faith." These words of encouragement were addressed, according to S. Chrysostom, to the Jews of Jerusalem and Palestine, constituting the more immediate diocese (as we should now call it) of S. James, first Bishop of Jerusalem, who had suffered martyrdom probably in the year preceding the writing of this Epistle. To him, and to the circumstances of his glorious death, and possibly to that of S. Stephen, it is generally believed allusion is here made by S. Paul. Nevertheless the injunction was plainly binding upon them, as it is upon us, to keep in memory, or commemorate in a religious manner, those who at any time should seal their testimony with their blood, or confess the faith, who should in any way suffer or die in and for CHRIST and His Gospel. Founded on this rule, the holy Church throughout the world has ever had the custom to laud and magnify GOD's Holy Name for all His saints departed out of this life in the faith and fear of GOD; therefore she has appointed certain days when the faithful may hold communion with the saints, and openly proclaim their fellowship in the One Body, and their love and affection for them, and their earnest desire to attain to that place whither they have already attained, and to join with them in that which we believe is now the continual service of their disembodied spirits, praising and blessing GOD Who is glorified in them. II.-On the rule of the Church as regards the S. MATT. xviii. 17.—“ Hear the Church.” MOST true it is, and a cause of shame and penitence, that for many years the rule of the Church, and indeed, Scripture, with regard to the observance of Saints' Days has been neglected. Possibly this has arisen from ignorance, and possibly from unfaithfulness, and in a great measure from sloth. Still we should always bear in mind that the fault is in us, and not in the Church. The Church's mind must be judged by the language of her formularies, and the rules she lays down, not by the corrupt practice of any of her members, whether priests or laymen. It is sufficient for us to turn even to the Calendar of the Prayer Book, and at once we see days set apart in honour of different Apostles, Martyrs, Saints, the Holy Angels, and above all, of the Blessed Virgin. The Church enjoins notice to be given after the Nicene Creed |