CROSS. The instrument of death to our Blessed Lord, and as such it has been considered in all ages by the Church as the most appropriate emblem, or symbol, of our Christian profession. The sign of the cross was formerly used in nearly every part of the Church Service, but owing to the superstitious use of it by Roman Catholics it is retained in our Church in the baptismal office only. CRUCIFIX. A cross upon which is a representation of our Lord's body. It is used by the Romanists, and the Lutheran Protestants, as an aid to devotion. In the Church of England we sometimes find it in reredoses and stained glass. CRYPT. The subterranean vault under any portion of a Church. Possibly used as an additional place of worship; and, also, sometimes of burial, and of concealment. CUP, _see_ Altar Vessels. CURATE. Properly the person who has the _cure_, or care, of souls in a parish. In this way the word, is used in the Prayer Book. But the word, in common parlance, is used to denote the _assistant_ clergyman in a parish. He is licensed by the Bishop of the diocese, and can be removed only by consent of the Bishop after six months' notice. He can, however, resign, after giving the Incumbent three months' notice. For particulars with regard to ordination see _Orders_. CURE. The spiritual charge of a parish, or, in another sense, the parish itself. DAILY PRAYERS. Every Priest and Deacon is bound to say publicly in Church, if a congregation of two or three can be obtained; or privately, unless hindered by some good cause, the Office for Morning and Evening Prayer. This is directed in the preface of the Book of Common Prayer. DALMATIC, _see_ Vestments. DAMNATORY CLAUSES, _see_ Creed. DEACON, _see_ Orders. DEAD, _see_ Burial Service. DEADLY SIN, _see_ Sin. DEAN. An ecclesiastic next in degree to a Bishop. He is the head of a corporate body called a Chapter, attached to a Cathedral, and has the direction of the Cathedral services. Deans of Peculiars have no Chapters. The _Dean_ of a College at Oxford or Cambridge is the officer appointed to maintain discipline.* The _Dean_ of _Faculty_ presides over meetings of the particular faculty of which he is Dean. It is an office in most ancient, and some modern universities. * _The Dean of Christ Church, Oxford, is the Head both of the Cathedral, and the College_. DEAN, RURAL, _see_ Rural Dean. DEAN AND CHAPTER. The governing body of a Cathedral. DECALOGUE, _see_ Commandments. DECORATION of CHURCHES. It is right and fitting that churches should be made as beautiful as possible for the worship of Almighty God, for so God Himself directed the Tabernacle to be made. The custom of especially decorating them with evergreens, flowers, &c., at the chief festivals of the Church is a very ancient one.