The main object of the rubric is that there should be a good congregation; and in preferring 'Sundays and other Holydays' to other days, because 'the most number of people' then 'come together,' the rubric implies that some come together on all days, viz., to daily Morning and Evening Prayer. 145. And note, that there shall be for every Male-child to be baptized two Godfathers and one Godmother; and for every Female, one Godfather and two Godmothers. The twenty-ninth canon of 1603 forbade parents, that is fathers, to be godfathers for their own children; but this prohibition was abolished by the Convocation of Canterbury in 1865, though the amended canon has not yet received the sanction of the Crown. So that the law on the subject has been for sixteen years in a state of transition, and a custom of admitting fathers to be godfathers for their children is growing up. 146. When there are Children to be baptized, the Parents shall give knowledge thereof over night, or in the morning before the beginning of Morning Prayer, to the Curate. And then the Godfathers and Godmothers, and the people with the Children, must be ready at the Font, either immediately after the last Lesson at Morning Prayer, or else immediately after the last Lesson at Evening Prayer, as the Curate by his discretion shall appoint. And the Priest coming to the Font, (which is then to be filled with pure Water,) and standing there, shall say, Hath this child, &c. The use of the word 'Priest' here should not be taken to exclude the ministration of a Deacon in the absence of the Priest, inasmuch as the Ordination Service empowers a Deacon to baptize. But it seems to exclude the ministration of a Deacon in the presence of the Priest. The font should be filled immediately before the Baptism, so that the water may be pure and fresh. The official dress for the Priest is a surplice and a stole. It is the custom of some Churches to use a shell for pouring water on the child; and it ensures the application of sufficient water. It is convenient, besides adding to the dignity of the Sacrament, that when it is ministered according to the rubric at Morning or Evening Prayer, the Priest should be attended to the font by two or more of the choir, who will hand him the shell, or napkin, or hold the book when required. 147. If they answer, _No_: Then shall the Priest proceed as followeth. Dearly beloved, &c. 148. Then shall the Priest say, _Let us pray_. At the words 'Let us pray,' the general congregation, as well as those immediately concerned in the Baptism, should kneel, the Priest continuing to stand. The Collects, 'Almighty and Everlasting God,' and 'Almighty and Immortal God,' should be said by the Priest only, the people saying 'Amen.' 149. Then shall the people stand up, and the Priest shall say, Hear the words, &c. 150. After the Gospel is read, the Minister shall make this brief Exhortation upon the words of the Gospel. Beloved, ye hear, &c.