"Yes, so it is; but you must not try to separate things which are inseparable. Every altar is a table, though every table is not an altar. Both terms are correct, but the one must not be supposed to exclude the other; and it would be strange indeed if, having a _priest_ and an _oblation_[154], the church should be without an _altar_. The top slab of the altar is the table[155], whether it is made of wood or stone. Where this slab is of stone, it has from early times been considered to represent the stone rolled to the mouth of the sepulchre of our Lord. In the Greek Church the _seal_ that was set on the stone[156] is represented by the consecrated wafer; in the Roman Church this seal is represented by the small square stone let into the centre of the altar table[157]. In the primitive Church there was but one altar in each church, but afterwards it became a custom to erect many others, dedicated to as many saints and martyrs. This was the custom in our own Church--just as it is still in the Roman Church--before Queen Elizabeth ordered all altars to be removed in every church, except the _high altar_, which is the only one we now retain; and, for my part, I certainly wish for no other. But at the same time _all stone altars_ were ordered to be removed, and then altars of wood were once more placed in almost every church. I am sorry to say the old stone altars were broken up and desecrated. Some few, however, of them escaped[158], and many more have since that time been erected. There are probably hundreds of stone altars to be found in our cathedrals, college chapels, and parish churches, and I don't suppose (though some seem to do so) that people attach more superstitious meaning to them than to the most modern oaken Communion table. But, as I said before, to my mind it is indifferent whether the altar be of wood or stone." "I should like your opinion about the proper furniture for the altar." "First, with regard to its _covering_: the canon directs that the altar shall be covered with 'a carpet of silk, or other decent stuff' on ordinary occasions, and with 'a fair linen cloth' at the time of the celebration of Holy Communion. This order allows considerable liberty as to colour and pattern; but it appears to imply that it should be as rich as the circumstances of each case will allow[159]. Where cloths of more than one colour are used, these five--in accordance with very ancient practice--are commonly employed as specially adapted to the different seasons of the Christian year: _white_, at Christmas and certain other festivals, as emblematical of purity; _red_, as representing the blood of martyrs, and at Pentecost, as emblematic of the fiery tongues; _green_, for general use, as the prevailing colour of nature, and a sort of middle colour between the rest in use; _violet_ and _black_ as colours of mourning." "But, surely, this variety is _unnecessary_?"