The Gloria in Excelsis, as it originally stood at the beginning of the office, in the Prayer-Book of 1549, being an opening Act of Praise, was sung by the Priest and Clerks while the people were standing. In its altered position, it may be regarded rather as a prayer. It seems reasonable that when it is sung in a choral celebration, the people should stand, as for an Act of Praise; and that when it is said without music, and in a plain celebration, the people may treat it chiefly as a prayer, and so kneel. 132. Then the Priest (or Bishop if he be present) shall let them depart with this Blessing. For the meaning of the expression 'or bishop if he be present,' see the note on rubric No. 110, p. 35. The words 'let them depart' imply that the congregation are not to dismiss themselves previously. Archbishop Grindal, in his injunctions to the Province of York in 1571, forbad the Minister to pause or stay between the Morning Prayer, Litany, and Communion, and directed him "to continue and say them, &c., without any intermission, to the intent that the people may continue together in prayer and hearing the word of God, and not depart out of the Church during all the time of the whole Divine Service." The whole of the Blessing, including 'The peace of God,' &c., should be pronounced turning to the people. The custom of reading St. John i. 1-13 aloud at the altar after the service is ended, adopted from the Roman Missal, has lately been introduced in some churches. Such public use of this Scripture has no authority, and is in direct opposition to the ancient English custom of the Priest reciting it privately, on his way to the sacristy. 133. Collects to be said after the Offertory, when there is no Communion, every such day one or more; and the same may be said also, as often as occasion shall serve, after the Collects either of Morning or Evening Prayer, Communion, or Litany, by the discretion of the Minister. 134. Upon the Sundays and other Holy-days (if there be no Communion) shall be said all that is appointed at the Communion, until the end of the general Prayer [_For the whole state of Christ's Church militant here in earth_] together with one or more of these Collects last before rehearsed, concluding with the Blessing. 135. And there shall be no celebration of the Lord's Supper, except there be a convenient number to communicate with the Priest, according to his discretion. 136. And if there be not above twenty persons in the Parish of discretion to receive the Communion; yet there shall be no Communion, except four (or three at the least) communicate with the Priest.