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A Key to the Calendar: Trinity

Trinity Sunday. On this day the Church commemorates the mystery of the Holy

Trinity. It will be noticed that while the life and death of Christ form the subject of many commemorations, of the Holy Spirit there is but one, and of the Father none. All the remaining Sundays of the ecclesiastical year are in the English Church named after the Holy Trinity, while in the Church of

Rome they are named after Pentecost. 5. St. Boniface, the apostle of Germany, was born in Devonshire about the year

680. He had a strong desire to spread abroad a knowledge of the Gospel, and having obtained the sanction of Pope Gregory II., he proceeded on a mission to Germany, and was made first Archbishop of Mayence in 745. He appears to have labored in Bavaria and on and about the Rhine; and in the year 755, having previously resigned his bishopric in order that he might carry on his missionary work without impediment. He suffered martyrdom at Utrecht with 52 of his companions. 8. Corpus Christi is not in the Anglican calendar, but is a high day in that of Rome. It was instituted in honor of the doctrine of transubstantiation by

Pope Urban IV., about the year 1263, and confirmed by the Council of Vienna in 1311. 11. St. Barnabas. One of the most active of the disciples was Joseph, surnamed

Barnabas, the Son of Consolation. He is said to have been one of those who having possessions sold them, and laid down the price at the apostles' feet.

He for some time labored with St. Paul; but after a while disputes arose, and he pursued his own course, choosing Cyprus for the field of his labors.

He was stoned to death at Salamis, and was buried with a copy of St. Matthew's

Gospel on his breast. 17. St. Alban, the first English martyr, suffered in 303. He was converted to

Christianity by Amphibalus, a priest of Caerleon, who, flying from persecution, was hospitably entertained by St. Alban at Verulam. Being closely pursued, he made his escape in his host's clothes. This, being discovered, exposed St.

Alban to the fury of the pagans; and, on his refusing to sacrifice to their gods, he was first miserably tortured, and then put to death on the spot where the town of St. Albans now stands. 24. St. John the Baptist. Unlike most other saints in the calendar; whose deaths alone are commemorated, the Church celebrates the birthday of St. John, for the reason, says an old writer, that even before his birth he was canonized.

He was son of Zacharias, a priest, and Elizabeth, the cousin of Mary. Like his prototype, Elijah, he was a recluse, and also a preacher of righteousness. 29 St. Peter, brother of St. Andrew, and son of Jonas, was a fisherman, who left all to follow Christ. He appears to have been one of the most zealous and attached of all the disciples, and although frequently rebuked, was one of those most honored by the friendship of his Master. He was married, and is said to have had a daughter, Petronilla. St. Paul, having founded a church at Rome, of which Linus was the first bishop, went there again accompanied by St. Peter, and as a Roman citizen suffered death by decapitation, A. D. 65. St. Peter, regarded as a Jewish slave, was crucified, but, at his own request, with his head downward, not conceiving himself worthy of suffering in the same manner as his Master.

JULY.