Page:Suggestions on the Arrangement and Characteristics of Parish Churches.djvu/28

Rh Rubrics require, for the full solemnity of the rite—not, of course, for the due administration of the sacrament—that the ceremonies shall begin at the entrance to the Church. The positions of the priest and sponsors are duly regulated. There the beautiful prayers, by which the administration of the sacrament is commenced, are recited, and the ceremonies, so full of meaning, performed. The priest breathes on the person to be baptized, signs him or her with the sign of redemption, administers the consecrated salt, and performs the exorcisms. Then, and not till then, is the neophyte introduced by the priest to the material Church (symbolical of the entrance into the spiritual Church), where the profession of faith is made, the anointings and baptism by water administered. It is obvious, then, that the most appropriate position for the font is near the place where the rite commences; and ancient example confirms this. Of course, in our climate, some external protection is required for the neophyte and sponsors during the celebration of the introductory part of the rite. Where the bell-tower is situated at the west end of the nave, and the lower part used as a porch, the requirement is complied with.

In cases where there is no tower, or where the tower is placed in such a position that its ground floor cannot be conveniently used for this purpose, a lateral porch, either north or south, will serve; and for this arrangement we have abundant precedent. The position of the font at the very threshold is as significant as it is convenient. It is a perpetual memorial of our admission by holy baptismn to Christ's spiritual body, and should serve to remind us of the obligations we entered into on our