Matins.--The Order for Morning Prayer was called by the ancient popular name of _Matins_ (abbreviated from Matutinae) in the original English Prayer Book of 1549. This name is still retained in the Tables of Lessons set forth in the English Prayer Book. It is often used now as a brief and convenient substitute for the longer title in the Prayer Book, "The Order for Daily Morning Prayer." One of the CANONICAL HOURS (which see). Matrimony, Holy.--(See MARRIAGE.) Maundy Thursday.--The name given to Thursday in Holy Week, "Maundy" being a corruption of _Dies Mandati_, meaning the Day of the Command; mandati, derived from _Mandatum_, meaning a command. The name is given from the command our Lord gave on this day, when He instituted the Holy Communion, viz.: "Do this in remembrance of Me;" and also His commandment concerning love. "That ye love one another as I have loved you." Thursday in Holy Week is sometimes incorrectly called "Holy Thursday," a name which from time immemorial has been given to Ascension Day. Maundy Thursday is always observed with great solemnity. The celebration of the Holy Eucharist on this day has great significance, and is never omitted where it is possible to be had. The ecclesiastical color for the celebration is white, but for other services of the day, violet. {186} Meditation.--An act of the devout life by which the soul seeks closer intercourse with God. It has been well said that "Meditation is the correlative of Prayer. In Prayer we speak to God. In _Meditation_ God speaks to us. We bow our heads to listen; therefore Meditation should be on our knees. It is the attitude of a humble and teachable frame of mind, and our acknowledgment of the Divine Presence." Membership, Church.--(See BAPTISM, HOLY; JOINING THE CHURCH, and also NAME, THE CHRISTIAN.) Mensa.--A slab of stone used as the surface of the Altar is so called. _Mensa_ is a Latin word, meaning a table. Michael (St.) and All Angels.--A Holy Day of the Church observed on September 29th. A Festival in honor of St. Michael and All Angels, to commemorate the community of service between angels and men, has been observed since the Fifth Century. Formerly two days were dedicated to St. Michael, viz., May 8th and September 29th, and in medieval times a third, on October 16th, but the day most generally observed was that which we now keep. In the Eastern Church, St. Michael's Day is November 8th, while March 26th and July 13th are observed in honor of the Archangel Gabriel. These two, Michael and Gabriel, are the only angels or archangels whose names are mentioned in the Bible. St. Michael and All Angels' Day is observed with great solemnity. Proper Psalms are appointed being the 91st and 103d for Morning Prayer, and the 34th and 148th for Evening Prayer. There are also Proper Lessons, and {187} Collect, Epistle and Gospel. The Church color is white. (See HOLY ANGELS.) Mid Lent Sunday.--(See FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT.)