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That system of church organization which vests all ecclesiastical power in the assembled brotherhood of each local church.

One who belongs to a Congregational church or society; one who holds to Congregationalism.

tween things; fitness; harmony; correspondence; consistency. With what congruity doth the church of Rome deny that her enemies do at all appertain to the church of Christ Hooker. A whole sentence may fail of its congruity by wanting one particle. Sir P. Sidney.

to set apart, dedicate, or devote, to the service or worship of God; as, to consecrate a church; to give (one's self) unreservedly, as to the service of God. One day in the week is . . . consecrated to a holy rest. Sharp.

Agreeing in mind; accordant. The consentient judgment of the church. Bp. Pearson.

oughtful or sympathetic regard or notice. Consideration for the poor is a doctrine of the church. Newman.

That which stands together as a united whole; a combination. The church of God, as meaning whole consistence of orders and members. Milton.

al court of a diocesan bishop held before his chancellor or commissioner in his cathedral church or elsewhere. Hook.

A voluntary and permanent council or union of neighboring Congregational churches, for mutual advice and co

ity; harmony; accord; consistency; suitableness. The perfect consonancy of our persecuted church to the doctrines of Scripture and antiquity. Hammond. The optic nerve responds to the waves with which it is in consonance. Tyndall.

ine or disipline; as, the constitutions of Justinian. The positive constutions of our own churches. Hooker. A constitution of Valentinian addressed to Olybrius, then prefect of Rome, for the regulation of the conduct of advocates. George Long. Apostolic constitutions. See under Apostolic.

To profess or belive the doctrine of consubstantion. The consubstantiating church and priest. Dryden.

Of or pertaining to a convent; monastic. "A conventual garb." Macaulay. Conventual church, a church attached or belonging to a convent or monastery. Wordsworth.

An alms basket; a vessel to receive gifts of charity; a treasury of the church, where offerings are deposited.

A crown or circlet suspended from the roof or vaulting of churches, to hold tapers lighted on solemn occasions. It is sometimes formed of double or triple circlets, arranged pyramidically. Called also corona lucis. Fairholt.

interment. (b) A luminous appearance, resembling the flame of a candle, sometimes seen in churchyards and other damp places, superstitiously regarded as portending death. -- Corpse gate, the gate of a burial place through which the dead are carried, often having a covered porch; -- called also lich gate.…

An offering made to the church at the interment of a dead body. Blackstone.

l council (Eccl.), an assembly of prelates or divines convened from the whole body of the church to regulate matters of doctrine or discipline. -- Executive council, a body of men elected as advisers of the chief magistrate, whether of a State or the nation. [U.S.] -- Legislative council, the upper house of a legislat…

, levees, and drawing-rooms. -- The court of the Lord, the temple at Jerusalem; hence, a church, or Christian house of worship. -- General Court, the legislature of a State; -- so called from having had, in the colonial days, judical power; as, the General Court of Massachusetts. [U.S.] -- To pay one's court, to seek…

A solemn compact between members of a church to maintain its faith, discipline, etc.