NOTES OX AN ANCIENT CENSER. 73 



of a globular shape ; but about that time they began to assume a 

 pyramidal form, usually of architectural design. The Langvvith 

 censer is of fifteenth century date, probably about 1450. 



Incense has been used in the pure worship of God from the 

 earliest time, chiefly as an emblem of the ascent of prayer. The 

 Psalmist says : — " Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as the 

 incense." It formed an important part of the ritual of the temple ; 

 and the Apocalypse speaks of it as used before the Throne of 

 God. 



It is a popular mistake to suppose that incense became illegal at 

 the time of the Reformation. It has never been condemned or 

 abolished by the Church of England. Censers and ships {i.e. 

 vessels of a boat shape), for incense, occur in inventories of 

 Elizabeth's reign. Bishop Andrewes, Archbishop Laud, and 

 George Herbert used incense, which was a common article of 

 purchase in Churchwardens' accounts of the period. Bishop 

 Cosen also used it when Master of Peterhouse. Less than one 

 hundred years ago, incense was burnt before the altar at Ely 

 Cathedral. Its use in the Church of England is now generally 

 spreading. 



This censer is now in the possession of the Rev. A. T. Blythe, 

 rector of Langwith, who obligingly lent it for illustration in this 

 journal. 



