laity

A quotation from the Bible came to my lips, but I held my tongue, for I know that clergymen think it a little blasphemous when thelaitypoach upon their preserves.

"I do not drink" -- Bazin pushed away with dignity the officer's hand -- "'tis good only for thelaity."

``Mine honest friend,'' said he, ``if the jangling of thy bells bad not dizzied thine understanding, thou mightst know Clericus clericum non decimat; that is to say, we churchmen do not exhaust each other's hospitality, but rather require that of thelaity,giving them thus an opportunity to serve God in honouring and relieving his appointed servants.''

Collins listened to her with the determined air of following his own inclination, and, when she ceased speaking, replied thus:-- "My dear Miss Elizabeth, I have the highest opinion in the world in your excellent judgement in all matters within the scope of your understanding; but permit me to say, that there must be a wide difference between the established forms of ceremony amongst thelaity,and those which regulate the clergy; for, give me leave to observe that I consider the clerical office as equal in point of dignity with the highest rank in the kingdom-- provided that a proper humility of behaviour is at the same time maintained.

Tulkinghorn, one of its trustiest representatives--may scatter, on occasion, in the eyes of thelaity.

The medieval Church, at first merely from the brutal necessities of a period of anarchy, had for the most part frowned on the joy and beauty of life, permitting pleasure, indeed, to thelaity,but as a thing half dangerous, and declaring that there was perfect safety only within the walls of the nominally ascetic Church itself.

'Say "taken," Tope--to the Dean,' the younger rook interposes in a low tone with this touch of correction, as who should say: 'You may offer bad grammar to thelaity,or the humbler clergy, not to the Dean.'

"A brilliant idea, and most true!" cried Lebedeff, "for he never even touched thelaity.Sixty monks, and not a single layman!

But Lydgate had not been experienced enough to foresee that his new course would be even more offensive to thelaity;and to Mr.

Discussion of the relationship between clergy and thelaity,which is defined in a delicate balance between authority and charism, taking many forms of coresponsibility and reciprocity, is refreshingly realistic.

Instinctively, the church began to feel that the long-overlookedlaitywere the key to the situation.

There were two issues of importance: how to persuade those with ecclesial authority to respond positively to lay empowerment, and how to educatelaityabout its mission.