It may be interesting to note that the first Bishop consecrated on American soil was the Rt. Rev. Thomas John Claggett, the first Bishop of Maryland, in whose consecration all four of the American Bishops united. This took place in Trinity Church, New York, September 17th, 1792. From that time to the present, the American Episcopate has increased greatly by reason of the growing needs of the Church in this rapidly developing country. More than two hundred Bishops have been consecrated for the work of the Church in the United States and for its missions in the foreign field. The growth of the Church itself, likewise, has been remarkable when we consider the disadvantages under which it labored in those early days and the bitter prejudice against it which even yet is not wholly done away. To-day there is not a State or a Territory which is not under the pastoral care of a Bishop, many of the states having several Dioceses each with its Bishop at its head. The quiet, persistent loyalty to the Truth "as this Church hath received the same," the reasonable terms of admission to her fold, the missionary zeal and enterprise, the practical work enlisting so largely the labors and cooperation of the laity, the far-reaching influence on the religious thought of the day, the proposal of the terms for Christian Unity, the multiplying of services and the more {18} frequent communions, all manifest her inner and outward growth and demonstrate the reality and high purpose of her Mission to this land and nation. (See GROWTH OF THE CHURCH.) Amice.--One of the Eucharistic Vestments. (See VESTMENTS). Anaphora.--The Greek name for the Offering or, Oblation in the Holy Eucharist and is usually applied to that portion of the Office beginning with "Lift up your hearts" and including the Prayer of Consecration. All that precedes this is called the PROANAPHORA (which see).