"Funera plango, fulgura frango, sabbata pango, Excito lentos, dissipo ventos, paco cruentos." In the Roman Church they are "baptized," with a certain ceremony; in the English Church they are merely consecrated, that is, set apart for a sacred purpose. The "passing bell" is the tolling of a bell while anybody is dying, or _passing_ out of this life, in order that the faithful may offer prayers on his behalf. It is ordered by Canon 67. BENEDICITE. The apocryphal ending of Daniel iii. It is a paraphrastical exposition of Ps. 148; it was commonly sung in the Christian Church in the 4th century. In 1549 it was ordered to be sung during Lent instead of the _Te Deum_. It is now generally used when the lessons speak of the Creation. The "three children" are Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, who are better known by their Chaldean names of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. BENEDICTION. A solemn act of blessing performed by Bishops and Priests of the Church. A certain form was given by God Himself for the use of the Jewish Priests, Num. vi.22-27. In our Church several forms are used agreeing with the Office of which they form a part. The ordinary benediction at the end of the Communion Service is from Phil, iv.7, and Num. vi.23. BENEDICTUS. The song of Zacharias, the father of the Baptist, Luke 1.68-79. The alternate Psalm, called the _Jubilate Deo_, was inserted in 1552 to be used when the _Benedictus_ happened to be read in the second lesson. The song of Zacharias has always been a hymn of the Church. BENEFICE or LIVING. A church endowed with a revenue for the performance of Divine Service; the holder of which is called a Rector, or Vicar, or Incumbent, or Perpetual Curate (see under each head). Heresy, Simony, and other grave offences, disqualify a man from holding a benefice. A clergyman can only be deprived of his benefice for want of capacity, Heresy, Contempt of Court, or crime. BIBLE, THE HOLY. So called from a Greek word, meaning "the books," just as the word _Scriptures_ means "the writings." The Bible is divided into two parts--the Old and the New Testaments, or Covenants. The Old Testament, or the Covenant of God with the Hebrew nation, is written partly in Hebrew, and partly--the latter part--in Aramaic. It is most important to remember that it was written by many different persons, and at widely different times, spreading over the course of 2,000 years. The New Testament, or the New Covenant of God with His people, whether Jews or Gentiles, although also written by many various authors, was produced between the years A.D. 50, and A.D. 100.