Page:An Historical Essay on the Livery Companies of London.djvu/18

 of the Hermitage of St. James-in-the-Wall, and others.

Some of the larger Halls were used for other than trade purposes. By the Parliamentary commanders they were converted into barracks; by the Puritanical clergy into meeting houses; and by succeeding Lord Mayors they were occasionally used as temporary Mansion Houses.

The records of the various Companies shew that it was usual with the fraternity to pay very particular attention to religious observances on the occasions of elections, funerals, and obits of deceased members. The obit was the anniversary of the death of an individual, and to observe such a day with prayer, almsgiving, or other commemoration, was "keeping an obit." After the Reformation the Liturgy and sermons took the place of Mass, but these occasions of divine service were not so numerous as under the old system. On public days the Chaplain's duty was to pray for the prosperity of the fraternity. In some Companies a very solemn custom prevailed of calling over the names of the members one by one, and praying for each individually and by name. The Merchant Tailors' books in 1645 record that "The names of the Livery being called over according to ancient custom, after which, in reverent manner, prayer was made by the Chaplain, then some of the ordinances of the Hall being openly read, preparation was made for dinner."

Besides these occasions of public worship prayers were said in the Common Hall. Herbert gives an extract of the prayer used as follows:—"Good Lord, keep this noble City of London, and defend it from greivousgrevious [sic] plagues and contagious sickness, that we may often in brotherly and true love assemble and meet together to Thy glory and our mutual comfort; bless this society and brotherhood, and be present