Laying on of Hands.--The ceremony by which one is ordained to the Sacred Ministry by the Bishop, and by which he administers the Rite of Confirmation, (See IMPOSITION OF HANDS.) {166} Lectern.--The desk or stand from which the Scriptural Lessons in Church are read, and is so called from this fact. The term "lectern" is derived from the Latin word _lecturni_, meaning a pulpit or from the Greek _lektron_, a couch or rest for a book. Lecterns as used in our churches are sometimes constructed of wood or stone, but frequently of polished brass, in the form of an eagle with outstretched wings, (on which the Bible rests) to symbolize the flight of the Gospel message throughout the world. Lectionary.--The Tables to be found in the Prayer Book setting forth the portions of Scripture to be read daily in Public Worship throughout the year, also the Proper Lessons for Sundays and the Holy Days of the Church. The word is derived from the Latin _lectus_, from _lego_, to gather, to read. From this origin we have the word _lection_, meaning a reading or lesson read; he who reads was called _lector_, a name given to one of the minor orders in the ancient Church. _The Lectionary_ as found in the Prayer Book contains most ample provision for the reading of God's Holy Word. By this appointment the Old Testament is read once during the year, and some portions of it more frequently. The New Testament is read three times, while the Book of Psalms is read twelve times or once a month. No other religious body makes so large provision for the public reading of the Scriptures, and the Episcopal Church has been appropriately called a "Bible Reading Church." The Lectionary as it now stands was set forth by the General Convention of 1883, being a revision of the old Lectionary which had been in use since 1789, the time of the first {167} setting forth of the American Prayer Book. (See LESSONS; also SCRIPTURES IN PRAYER BOOK.)