TRACTS FOR THE TIMES.
HOLY DAYS OBSERVED IN THE ENGLISH CHURCH.
The Holy days observed by the Church of England are of two kinds:—Festivals, or days of joy; and Fasts, or days of sorrow.
The Festivals are:—
The Nativity of our Lord, commonly called Christmas-day; on which we celebrate that great event, the birth, as man, of the everlasting and Almighty Son of God. (Dec. 25.)
The Circumcision of Christ. On this day we are taught to remember with joy the transaction which may be called the first act of our Lord's obedience to the law for our sakes: the beginning of that unspotted career of purity and duty, which He mercifully submitted to accomplish for the redemption of sinful man. (Jan. 1.)
The Epiphany, the manifestation, or making known of the new-born Saviour to the Gentiles. The first individuals, from the nations who till then had walked in darkness, who bent the knee before Him, were the Wise Men of the East; when, led by a miraculous star, they brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh, as their offerings to Bethlehem. And this event we, in an island which has since, by God's mercy, also seen the "great light" of Christian truth, cannot too joyfully or too thankfully commemorate. (Jan. 6.)
The Presentation of Christ in the temple, commonly called, the Purification of St. Mary the Virgin. The event commemorated on this day is the fulfilment of prophecy (Malachi iii. 1.) by our Lord's appearance in the Temple, whither He was brought that His mother might comply with the rite of purification, en-
