the act of conferring holy orders, or of initiating a person into the priesthood by prayer and the laying on of hands.

Ordination has always been esteemed the principal prerogative of bishops, and they still retain the function as a mark of spiritual sovereignty in their diocese. Without ordination, no person can receive any benefice, parsonage, vicarage, &c. A clerk must be 23 years of age before he can have any share in the ministry; and 24 before he can be ordained, and by that means be permitted to administer the sacrament. A bishop, on the ordination of clergymen, is to examine them in the presence of the ministers who assist him at the imposition of hands; and in case any crime, as drunkenness, perjury, forgery, &c. be alleged against any one that is to be ordained, either priest or deacon, the bishop ought to desist from ordaining him. The person to be ordained is to bring a testimonial of his life and doctrine to the bishop, and give account of his faith in Latin, and both priests and deacons are obliged to subscribe the 39 articles.

The ordination-days in the church of England, are the four Sundays immediately following the Ember-weeks, viz. the first Sunday in Lent, Trinity-Sunday, and the Sundays following the first Wednesday after September 14, and December 13.

In Scotland, where there are no bishops, the power of ordination is lodged in the presbytery. See Presbytery.