negatives the supposition, and indirectly reaffirms the ornaments rubric. These Canons are clearly intended, while leaving the Prayer Book prescription untouched, to lay down a practical minimum observance of the public recitation in church of the appointed offices. So, too, I believe the 24th Canon leaves the ornaments rubric unrepealed, while it prescribes the minimum use of vestments, namely in cathedrals and collegiate churches. If the 24th Canon is read attentively in connection with the 25th, it will be seen that it does not order that "copes" and the dresses "agreeably" worn by Epistler and Gospeller shall only be the costume at the principal feasts, but that on those feasts the Bishop, Dean, or some Canon or Prebendary (and not a minor Canon), shall always be the celebrant, and shall therefore be so attired. In the Injunction of the 7th of Elizabeth referred to in the Canon, the "principal minister" is ordered to wear the prescribed dress "at the Ministration of the Holy Communion," without any reference to principal feasts. The ruling provision of the 25th Canon "in time of Divine Service and Prayers in all cathedral and collegiate churches, where there is no Communion, it shall be sufficient to wear surplices," would be unintelligible if the preceding Canon did not order that when there was Communion the cope should be worn.
The question of lights upon the Holy Table cannot be reduced to so definite an issue. The direct
