The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia
John Stuart Mill · en
Ablutions.--A term used to designate the ceremonial washing of the
sacred vessels after Holy Communion, with wine and water which are
reverently consumed by the Priest. These ablutions are in conformity
with the Rubric which directs, "And if any of the consecrated Bread
and Wine remain after the Communion, it shall not be carried out
of the Church; but the Minister and other communicants shall,
immediately after the Blessing, reverently eat and drink the same."
Absolution.--The forgiveness of sins on earth by the Son of Man
through His agents, the Bishops and Priests of the Church. Their
commission is embodied in the words of the Ordination Office,
"Receive the Holy Ghost for the Office and Work of a Priest in
the Church of God, now committed unto thee by the Imposition of
our hands. Whose sins thou dost forgive, they are forgiven; and
whose sins thou dost retain, they are retained." This commission
contains our {6} Lord's own words to be found in St. John 20:22 and 23,
and they are His commission to His Ministers. Attempts have been
made to explain away these words; but it is unquestionably the
office of the Holy Ghost to invest those ordained with the power
of dispensing God's Word and Sacraments, and of performing what
is necessary "for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of
the ministry, and for the edifying of the Body of Christ."
(See KEYS, POWER OF).
Absolution, The.--The name given to the form of words by which a
penitent person is absolved. There are two forms in the Prayer
Book; the longer form being used at Morning and Evening Prayer,
the shorter one being usually confined to use in the Communion
Office.
Absolve.--To loose, to set free from the bondage of sin. (See
ABSOLUTION, also KEYS, POWER OF).
Abstinence.--The Church makes a distinction between _abstinence_ and
_fasting_. Abstinence is the reduction of food for the sake of
self-discipline, while fasting is going without food of any kind
as a more severe act of discipline. Abstinence is to be exercised
on "Other Days of Fasting" _i.e._, other than Ash Wednesday and
Good Friday which are absolute Fasts. (See FASTS, TABLE OF; also
FASTING).
Acolyte.--A word derived from the Greek, and used to designate one
who serves the Priest in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
His chief duties are to arrange the elements on the Credence, to
light the candles, receive the offerings and present them, and
also the Bread, Wine and water, to the Priest at the proper time
in the Celebration. {7}