In Part 2 of my “Dictionary of Episcopal Baptismal Terms (1901)” I continue with terms which have been gleaned from William James Miller’s The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia (1901) which is available for download online. For a full introduction to the topic and its importance in your genealogical research, please consult Part 1 of this blog.

Dictionary of Episcopal Baptismal Terms

Lay Baptism: Baptism administered by a layman. The church has always held that Baptism by any man in case of necessity is valid. But only great necessity, such as sudden danger or sickness and the inability to secure the services of a clergyman, should be just cause for baptism by a layman, and then great care should be taken that the proper from and words are used. It is well to note that when Holy Baptism is administered by one who is not a Clergyman without such necessity as mentioned above, the person baptizing is guilty of a great sin, even though his act may bring a blessing to the person baptized. His act cannot be undone, but it ought not to have been done.

Name, The Christian: The name received in Holy Baptism. In former days people in general had only one name, as John, Henry, Mary, etc., and were further known by their occupation or some other distinctive word. But the names of trades, place, etc., thus added on to the Christian name (iei., supra or sur nomen) gradually became permanent surnames, so that now every person after infancy and Baptism has two names, viz., a Christian name and a surname. The Christian name we receive at our Christening, that is, Christianing or Baptism or New Birth. It is given, not inherited. It is a new name given to us in our Baptism because we then become something new. It is given in Baptism to indicate a new relationship to God by thus being brought into covenant with Him. We find many examples in the Bible of new names given in connection with a change of spiritual conditions. Thus Abrahm’s name was changed to Abraham when God made His covenant with him, and Jacob’s name was changed to Israel when that covenant was renewed with him, which had been made with ‘Abraham. In the same way and for the same reason Christian names have great significance. They are the sign that those who bear them have been brought into covenant with God, that they have been made in their Baptism, “members of Christ, the children of God, and inheritors of the kingdom of heaven.”

Neophyte: A term applied in the primitive /church to the newly baptized – “newly grafted” (which the word means) into Christianity. It was customary for them to wear white garments at their Baptism and for eight days after. The word is still frequently used.

New Birth: The name which the New Testament Scriptures, and the Church for nearly two thousand years have given to Holy Baptism, which is the Laver of Regeneration, the new and spiritual Birth.

Parish Register: A book in which all births, Baptisms, Confirmations, deaths, and marriages that occur in the Parish are recorded, together with the list of Families and Communicants. The importance of the Parish Register and the care with which it should be kept will appear when it is considered that it is a legal document.

Regeneration: The inward and spiritual gift in Holy Baptism is regeneration, that is being born anew. It is well to note that Regeneration, or the “New Birth” is often confounded with “Conversion,” or they are regarded as synonymous terms. This is a mistake and contrary to the teaching of Holy Scripture. Regeneration is a New Birth unto God whereby we become partakers of the nature of Christ. As the natural birth, so the new and spiritual Birth can take place only once, and that in Holy baptism. A baptized Christian my repeatedly fall from Grace, and by repentance, by amendment of life and by forgiveness he may be again restored, (this is Conversion), but he cannot be said to be again regenerate without a grievous misapprehension of the language of the Bible and a total departure from the Doctrine of the Primitive Church. By Regeneration, therefore, is meant that gracious act of God whereby for Christ’s sake. He brings us into a new relationship with Himself, adopts us as His own children, translates us into the kingdom of His Son, incorporates us into His Church, and so brings us under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Regeneration is the name originated for Baptism by our Lord Himself in His discourse with Nicodemus, as recorded in the third chapter of St. John’s Gospel, and it is for this reason that this passage is appointed to be read in the service for the Baptism of Adults.

Sacrament: The word “Sacrament” is derived from the Latin Sacramentum, meaning the military oath required of the soldiers of ancient Rome. Its outward sign was the uplifted hand whereby the soldier pledged himself to loyalty, which may be regarded as the thing signified by that outward gesture. The word came to be used for those ordinances of the Christian Church possessing an “outward sign” and conveying an “inward grace.” Thus the Church Catechism treating of the two Sacraments “generally necessary to salvation, that is to say, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord,” defines a sacrament as being an outward and visible sign ordained by Christ, of an inward and spiritual grace given by Him as its accompaniment. This definition has reference to the Sacramental system of the Church and means that Christ appointed only two Sacraments that are generally or universally necessary to salvation. It does not imply that there are not other Sacramental agencies in the Church – but only that these two are absolutely necessary to salvation. For example, if a man would be saved he must receive Holy Baptism and Holy Communion where these Sacraments are to be had; but for his salvation it is not necessary that he should be married, or ordained to the Sacred Ministry, and yet Marriage and Ordination are thoroughly sacramental in character in that they are grace conferring, and therefore, in her book of Homilies the church calls them Sacraments, The great English divines generally take this position in regard to the Sacraments and the Sacramental System of the Church. Thus Archbishop Bramhall declares: “the proper and certain Sacraments of the Christian Church, common to all, or (in the words of our Church) generally necessary to Salvation, are but two, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord… the rest we retain, though not under the notion of such proper and general Sacraments, – as Confirmation, Ordination, Matrimony, Penitence and lastly, the Visitation of the Sick.” So also, Bishop Jeremy Taylor says, “it is none of the doctrine of the Church of England, that there are two Sacraments only, but that ‘two only are generally necessary to salvation.’”

Sponsors: It would be difficult to say with any degree of certainty at what period the office of Sponsors was established, but it appeared in the very earliest ages of the Christian Church. It is supposed that persecution and the presence of heresy led to its institution. During the time of those early persecutions it stands to reason that the heads of the Church must have been aware of the probability of some at least of those who had been baptized of receding from their vows and thus sinning away their Baptismal grace. It was but natural that they should adopt every precaution to ascertain the character of those whom, by Baptism, they admitted to the Christian covenant. They required, therefore, that some of their own body answer for the real conversion of the presumed neophyte, and should also be Sureties for the fulfillment of the promises then made. Then there were the probabilities during persecution that the parents might not outlive the violence of the times and be enabled to watch over the moral and religious education of their baptized children. The Church was anxious not to lose these lambs of the Flock, and so it was a wise and godly provision that there should be someone who, in default of their parents, surviving or in case of their apostasy, might see to it that their godchildren were “brought up to lead a godly and a Christian life.” The advantages arising from this ancient institution of Sponsors were so great that it has been continued throughout all ages of the Church. And even in this present time, if all Sponsors would fulfill their duties, many a child now lost to the Church, might have been saved to it and brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. In the case of Baptism of Infants, the significance of Sponsors is very great, in that Baptism is a covenant, in which God on the one hand is represented by His Minister, and the child is represented by his Sponsors, who answer for him and agree to see to it that this child shall be virtuously brought up and so trained that it shall lead the rest of his life according to this beginning. The Sponsors are called Godfathers and Godmothers because of the spiritual affinity created in Baptism, their responsibility for the training of the child being almost parental.

State of Salvation: By Holy Baptism we are admitted into Christ’s Church, His Kingdom of grace, which in the Church Catechism is declared to be a “State of Salvation,” i.e., a Christian condition in which it is quite certain the salvation of God is within our reach and in which as we are responsive to all its overtures of grace we may grow into the likeness of God’s dear Son. Our final salvation is dependent on our continuance in this state of Salvation by God’s grace unto our life’s end.

Trine Immersion: The name given to the practice in the Primitive Church, of dipping a person, who was being baptized, three times beneath the surface of the water, i.e., at each name of the three Persons in the Blessed Trinity. When Baptism was by affusion or pouring, as is usual at the present time, the affusion was also trine. The Apostolic canons insisted so strongly on this mode of Baptism that they enjoined that the Bishop or Priest who did not thus administer it should be deposed. This threefold method of Baptism still prevails in the Church and is the only proper method of administering this sacrament.

Water: In the Church Catechism it is declared that the outward visible sign or form in Baptism is, “Water; wherein the person is baptized. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” By the rubric in the Office for Holy Baptism it is directed that the Font is to be filled with “pure water.” It is thus the Church fulfills our Lord’s command, following literally His words, “baptizing them with water.” Water, therefore, is the essential element of Holy Baptism, just as the bread and wine are the elements in the Holy Communion. Water as used in Holy Baptism signifies “cleansing.” The amount of water to be used the Church has always regarded as matter of indifference.

Click Here if you would like to learn more about your Episcopal ancestors.

In church registers we often come across terms and concepts which are unfamiliar. It’s important to remember theology creates records. In this case, finding terminology in an older alphabetical listing can be frustrating if there is no cross reference. I want to present key baptismal terms in the Anglican Communion as the concepts behind the terms affects our understanding of the records themselves.

The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia

This dictionary is based upon William James Miller’s The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia (1901) which is available for download online. Although this work is a product of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, as expected, there is a heavy historical United Kingdom emphasis. This makes this dictionary useful for not only your American immigrant research, but also for other places where the Irish settled or simply for your Church of Ireland research.

One feature which makes this dictionary so fascinating is that if you read carefully what the author is saying, you become aware of an Episcopal identity or perhaps identity crisis in 1901. This was a church in a very pluralist society being only one of many without the British identity preserved as it was in the United Kingdom and in the Commonwealth.

Dictionary of Episcopal Baptismal Terms

In the case of baptism, not only was the Episcopal Church confronted with the revivalism of evangelicalism, but with a theology of salvation by faith alone. Also, in Mid-West and South, the Episcopal Church was confronted with the Stone-Campbell Restoration theology where the only form of baptism was by immersion for the remission of sins. This is no better examined than by studying how the author treated “Adult Baptism” and “Joining the Church.”

Wherever possible, I have kept intact the italics, flowery language, run on sentences and tediously long paragraphs. This will provide you with some extra insight as to what your ancestor was hearing and reading.

Adult Baptism: The rule of the Church is Infant Baptism. She brings children even in their tenderest years within her Fold and there trains them up “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” But when in England the Puritans and Anabaptists arose and prevailed, then there grew up a generation that reached maturity without having been baptized, and then it was that there arose the necessity for “The Ministration of Baptism to such as are of Riper Years and able to answer for themselves.” To meet such cased the present service in the Prayer Book for the Baptism of Adults was prepared and set forth in A.D. 1661. That the Church of England had no form for the Baptism of Adults previous to the year 1661 is not only an interesting fact, but it is also one of those historic side-lights which brings into bold relief what was the custom of the Church from time immemorial.

Affusion: The pouring (which the word means) of water on the recipient of Baptism, when the Baptism is not by immersion. Questions have arisen from the very earliest ages as to the matter and form with which this Sacrament is to be administered. The original mode was undoubtedly by the descent of the person to be baptized into a stream or pool of water. The practice of immersion was not, however, regarded as an essential feature of Baptism. There can be little doubt that affusion was practiced instead of immersion, at the discretion of the Priest, in ancient as well as in modern times. The Prayer Book provides for either mode. The method is a matter of indifference, the essential point being that the candidate for Baptism come into actual contact with water while the word, “I baptize thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,” are spoken.

Baptism, Holy: One of the two great Sacraments ordained by Christ as generally (universally) necessary to salvation. Holy Baptism is the initiatory rite by which we are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s Religion, admitted into His Church. Baptism is a covenant made between God and man; of this covenant the Christian name, which was then given us, is the reminder; reminding us of our new relationship with God. The grace conferred in Holy Baptism is threefold, (1) Regeneration, or the New Birth; (2) Admission into the Spiritual Kingdom, or the Holy Catholic Church, and (3) The forgiveness of all our sins, for in the Nicene Creed we confess, “I acknowledge one Baptism for the Remission of sins.” The vows of Holy Baptism are three in number, (1) To Renounce, (2) to Believe and (3) to Obey. These cover “the Whole Duty of Man,” and it is by the use of the Means of Grace with diligent Prayer that he is enabled to keep them and to grow into the likeness of Christ, whose member he is because incorporated into Him by Holy Baptism. The outward, visible sign or form in Baptism is water, with the unfailing use of the words, “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” This effects a valid Baptism.

Baptism, Conditional: As Holy Baptism can take place only once in any individual life, the Church has always been most careful that it should not be repeated. But it sometimes happens that grave doubts arise as to the validity of one’s Baptism, or the fact of Baptism is only a matter of conjecture. In such cases the Church has provided for conditional, or hypothetical Baptism. The form is, “If thou are not already baptized, (name) I baptize thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen.” In such a case if the Baptism has already taken place and was valid, the hypothetical Baptism passes for naught, but if it were no valid or had not taken place, the hypothetical Baptism is effective.

Baptism, Private: The proper place for the administration of Holy Baptism is in the church, and the Church warns her people “that without great and reasonable cause and necessity, they procure not their children to be baptized at home in their houses.” But when need shall compel them so to do, she provides for the emergency by the service entitled, “The Ministration of Private Baptism of Children in Houses,” as set forth in the Prayer Book. In this office no provision is made for Sponsors. The child is to be brought afterwards into the Church to the intent that the congregation may be certified of the true Form of Baptism privately before used. Then it is publicly received and the Sponsors answer for the child and become responsible for its Christian training, publicly before the congregation.

Baptismal Shell: A scallop shell, either real or made of precious metal, used by the Priest for pouring the water on the head of the candidate in Holy Baptism.

Baptistry: A portion of a church set apart for the administration of Holy Baptism. Sometimes the Baptistry was erected as a separate building or attached to a church or cathedral, specially adapted for Baptism by immersion.

Candidate: The name commonly given to one who is preparing for Holy Baptism or Confirmation. The name is also applied to one who seeks admission to the Sacred Ministry, and is therefore enrolled as a “Candidate for Holy Orders.”

Elements: The bread and the wine in the Holy Communion, and the water in Holy Baptism are so-called.

Generally Necessary: In the definition given in the Church Catechism of Holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, these Sacraments are declared to be “generally necessary to salvation.” From the way many persons postpone their own Baptism, neglect the Baptism of their children and ignore the Holy Communion, it would seem that they think the word “generally” in the above clause, means “usually,” but not essential to religious life. This is a mistake. The word “generally” as used when the Catechism was set forth is simply the Anglicized form of the Latin word geeraliter, meaning universally, always, absolutely necessary for everyone who would be saved, and therefore, imperative where the Sacraments may be held.

Immersion: The dipping into the water of recipients of Holy Baptism.

Infant Baptism: If the Church were simply a voluntary society founded on the Bible, as is commonly supposed, there would be no special reason why Infants should be baptized, except as a matter of sentiment. If, on the other hand, the Church is a Divine Institution, founded on Christ and His Apostles, and is declared in Holy Scripture to be the Mystical Body of Christ, in which we are united to Him, admitted into covenant with God and so brought into a new relationship with God, then Infant Baptism is not only one of the most reasonable, but one of the most urgent doctrines of the Christian Religion, because it is in Holy Baptism that all these blessings are vouchsafed to us. By this Sacrament the youngest infant is lifted up, so to speak, out of the world of nature and transplanted into Christ’s spiritual kingdom. It becomes thus a child of grace. Its little life is made right with God. The old evil of our race has been rectified. It is henceforth not only a child of Adam, but also a child, or member of the second Adam, Jesus our Lord. By its new Birth in Holy Baptism, the child becomes as fully incorporated into the new and spiritual race of which Christ is the Head, as ever it was incorporated into the race of mankind by its natural birth. It may not be conscious of this, any more than it was conscious of its natural birth, but it has, nevertheless, made a right beginning through the thoughtful care of others. It has, by this ministration, been grafted into the Body of Christ. It has been put in the way of true spiritual growth and training. Henceforth it may be brought up as “the child of God” and not as an alien. To this end the church gives it spiritual caretakers, whose duty it is to see that this child is virtuously brought up to lead a Godly and a Christian life according to this beginning. This is the meaning of Infant Baptism; and the Church has always regarded such Baptism as a reasonable and benevolent work, as is exemplified by her universal practice from the beginning. The “Mercy to Babes” in the Old Dispensation has not been lost out of the New, the Dispensation of the Spirit of love, which brings to all, even to the infant, as well as to its parents, God’s mercy which “He promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed forever.”

Joining the Church: This is a phrase that has been brought over from the usage and phraseology of the various denominations. Its use among Church people has been productive of the greatest harm. In the first place, it is hardly a correct phrase for a Churchman to use. We may “join” an Odd Fellows’ lodge or a debating society, but we do not join a family or household which God’s Church is. We are born or adopted into a family, and so we are adopted into God’s family; incorporated, grafted into the Body of Christ, His Church, and not simply “join” it as we would a debating society or a political club.

In the next place, harm has been done by the use of this phrase by Church people, because as popularly understood it is in direct contradiction to the belief and practice of the Church. According to this phraseology Holy Baptism counts for nothing, and yet the Bible teaches that it is in Holy Baptism that we are made members of the church, and that all future blessings are dependent on this spiritual fact. When then, Church people take up this mode of speech and use it in reference to Confirmation as is so often done, they practically ignore the significance of Holy Baptism and the Church’s method and appointed order.

The effect of this becomes apparent in the lives of many of the church’s baptized children. Because, in whatever religious teaching they receive, their Baptism is never referred to, and they are never reminded that they are now God’s children by adoption and grace because baptized, it comes to pass that, when these same children are asked to be confirmed, they think and act as if they were invited to “join the Church.” And as they are more influenced by the speech and methods of the various religious bodies which prevail in their community than they are by the Church’s teaching, they imagine that something extraordinary is required; they feel as if they must somehow “have got” religion; or they do not feel prepared to “experience religion”; or else they don’t know whether they will or will not “join the Episcopal Church.” In all this we see the result of the application and use of “other systems” rather than that of the Church. Thus many an earnest and loving young heart has been lost to the Church, notwithstanding it was given to God in its tenderest years to be trained up for Him. Confirmation is not “joining the Church.” If we are baptized, we have been “received into Christ’s Holy Church and made a living member of the same.” And because this is true, the church has a further Blessing in store for her children. This she would bestow by the ministration of her chief Pastors in the Laying on of Hands by the Bishop; and to this our young people might go naturally and easily and at the same time soberly and reverently, if they were properly instructed and lovingly led. There is no reason why any young baptized person might not thus go to his or her Confirmation, claiming this Blessing as their right and privilege as children of God and citizens of His Kingdom.

If you would like to understand more about your Episcopal ancestors Click Here.

In church registers we often come across terms and concepts which are unfamiliar. It’s important to remember theology creates records. In this case, finding terminology in an older alphabetical listing can be frustrating if there is no cross reference. I want to present key marriage terms in the Anglican Communion extracted from one such older work.

The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia

This dictionary is based upon William James Miller’s The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia (1901) which is available for download online. Although this work is a product of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, as expected, there is a heavy historical United Kingdom emphasis. This makes the dictionary useful for not only your American immigrant research, but also for other places where the Irish settled or simply for your Church of Ireland research.

Dictionary of Episcopal Marriage Terms

The terms below are culturally important because they provide insight into how the Episcopal Church was interacting with popular American culture in 1901. The underlying tone reflects a church in conflict with the wider pluralistic society. These terms, are often long and tedious. However, they do reflect the Episcopal thinking by defining proper procedure and theology in such a culture.

They also answer many important genealogical questions such as how the church viewed a civil marriage as opposed to a church marriage blessed by a priest. I have kept italics where found in the original dictionary as well as preserved the often long sentences, paragraphs and flowery language. This provides extra insight into what your ancestor was hearing and reading.

Banns of Marriage: The word “Bann” is derived from the Saxon word bannen, meaning, to proclaim. The term “Banns of Marriage,” means, therefore, the publication of intended marriages, and are published for three Sundays before the event, in the Church where the ceremony is to take place. The publishing of the Banns in the Church of England is required by law. In the American Prayer Book, provision is made for the publishing of the Banns of Marriage, but as it is not required by law the custom has fallen into disuse.

Bethrothal: That portion of the Marriage Service in which the man and the woman join hands and give their troth (i.e., truth or promise of fidelity) each to the other. This is the Marriage Vow and is usually said at the foot of the chancel steps, the marriage proper (with the ring) taking place at the Altar Rail.

Espousal: That portion of the Marriage Service in which the contracting parties answer “I will” to the questions, “[name] wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife” and “[ name] wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband.” This seems to be the remains of the old form of espousals, which was different and distinct from the Office of Marriage, and which was often performed some weeks or months or perhaps years before. Something similar to what is now called “engagement,” only that it had the blessing of Mother Church upon it. In the Greek Church at the present time there are still two different offices, viz.: the one of espousals and the other of marriage, which are now performed on the same day, although formerly on different days.

Marriage: The sad prevalence of divorce in the United States might not have come to pass if people had clear ideas of what Marriage really is. Marriage is a great deal more than simply a civil contract. It is a divine institution, “an honorable estate, instituted by God in the time of man’s innocency.” It is a religious ceremony and is sacramental in character. It ought, therefore, to be clearly understood that marriage simply by a “squire” or other legal officer, detracts from the sacredness and dignity of “this holy estate,” and belittles the binding character of the “marriage tie.” Even a secular paper could declare, “We do not believe there should be any civil marriages of any kind. Every ceremony should be solemnized by the Church and lifted above the level of a real estate transaction.” In this custom of civil or legal marriages may be found at least one cause, perhaps the principle cause of divorce, for it encourages such a low view of the sacredness of the Marriage Rite.

Taught by our Lord and His Apostles, the Church emphasizes the religious and sacramental character of Holy Matrimony and has always enjoined its solemnization with ecclesiastical ceremonies and by ecclesiastical persons. This is clearly set forth by the earliest Christian writers. Thus St. Ignatius in one of his Epistles says: “It is fitting for those who purpose matrimony to accomplish their union with the sanction of the Bishop, that their marriage may be in the Lord.” Tertullian speaks of marriages being “ratified before God,” and adds, “How can we find words to describe the happiness of that Marriage in which the Church joins together, which the Oblation confirms, the Benediction seals, the Angels proclaim when sealed, and the Father ratifies.” St. Ambrose calls Marriage a Sacrament, and says, “Marriage must be sanctified by the Priest’s sanction and blessing.”

These utterances unfold the mind of the Church in the times nearest the days of our Lord and His Apostles, and in all ages ever since the Church has never abandoned this position in her practice and formularies. A careful study of the Marriage Service in the Prayer Book will show it to be a very clear setting forth of the nature of Marriage. It will also be seen how fully this Service has retained the belief concerning Marriage which the Church has always held since the time of our Lord and His Apostles.

Parish Register: A book in which all births, Baptisms, Confirmations, deaths, and marriages that occur in the Parish are recorded, together with the list of Families and Communicants. The importance of the Parish Register and the care with which it should be kept will appear when it is considered that it is a legal document.

Ring: The custom of the Wedding Ring was probably adopted by the early Church from the marriage customs of the Jews and also of the heathen, as its use has been almost universal. From its shape, having neither beginning nor ending, it is regarded as an emblem of eternity, constancy, and integrity. It is placed on the fourth finger of the woman’s left hand, and the ancient ceremony of doing so was to place it first on the thumb at the Name of the first person of the Trinity; on the next finger, at the Name of the Son; on the third at the Name of the Holy Ghost, and then on the fourth finger, and leaving it there at the word “Amen.” The ring is, also, frequently given at the consecration of a Bishop, to symbolize his espousal with the Church in his Diocese. Thus bestowed, it is a symbol of authority and is called the episcopal Ring.

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