"How can I cease to pray for thee? Somewhere In God's great universe thou art to-day. Can He not reach thee with His tender care? Can He not hear me when for thee I pray?" Precentor.--The name given to the choirmaster; one who is director of the music in a choir. Pre-Lenten Season.--The name commonly given to the weeks preceding Lent covered by the three Sundays entitled, _Septuagesima_, _Sexagesima_ and _Quinquagesima_. The Season is so called because the services on these Sundays are intended to prepare us for the due observance of Lent. (See SEPTUAGESIMA.) Presbyter.--The original word for "Elder" in the New Testament is _Presbuteros_, shortened in English to _Presbyter_; further shortened to _Prester_, and finally to PRIEST (which see, also ELDER). Presentation of Christ.--A Festival of the Church observed on February 2. It is a double Festival as we learn from its title which reads, "The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, commonly called the Purification of Saint Mary the Virgin." "This connection," says Blunt, "of the two events is, doubtless, to show the close relation which the acts of the Blessed Virgin bore to the Incarnation of our Lord; and that she is most honored by associating her with her divine Son." The Festival is popularly called CANDLEMAS (which see). It is the fortieth day after Christmas, that being the period at which the rites of Purification and Presentation were enjoined by the Law. {218} Presiding Bishop.--The name given to the Senior Bishop by consecration of the American Church, who presides in the House of Bishops and in the General Convention when both Houses meet as one body. When the Convention is not in session he acts as Primate of the American Church. Following is the list of those Bishops who have acted as Presiding Bishops: 1--Bishop Seabury from Nov. 14, 1784, to Feb. 25, 1796. 2--Bishop White from Feb. 25, 1796 to July 17, 1836. 3--Bishop Griswold from July 17, 1836, to Feb. 16, 1842. 4--Bishop Chase from Feb. 16, 1842, to Sept. 20, 1852. 5--Bishop Brownell from Sept. 20, 1852, to Jan. 13, 1865. 6--Bishop Hopkins from Jan. 13, 1865, to Jan. 9, 1868. 7--Bishop Smith from Jan. 9, 1868, to May 31, 1884. 8--Bishop Lee from May 31, 1884 to April 12, 1887. 9--Bishop Williams from April 12, 1887 to Feb. 7, 1899. 10--Bishop Clark from Feb. 7, 1899. Priest.--The shortened form for Presbyter. The title of the second Order of the Ministry. His chief duties are to offer the Holy Sacrifice in the Eucharist, to administer Baptism, to give absolution, to give the Priestly Blessing at Marriages, Churchings, and at other services of the Church: in fact, to exercise every sacred function which is not properly or exclusively Episcopal, that is, belonging to the Bishop. (See PRESBYTER, also ELDER.) Primate.--The name given to a Metropolitan or Archbishop who is the presiding Bishop of a National Church. Prime.--One of the seven CANONICAL HOURS (which see). {219}