Ordination

Ordination, the conferring of holy orders. The first thing necessary on application for only orders is the possession of a title--that is, a sort of assurance from a rector to the bishop that, provided the latter finds the person fit to be ordained, the former will take him for his curate, with a stated salary. The candidate is then examined by the bishop or his chaplain respecting both his faith and his erudition; and various certificates are necessary, particularly one signed by the clergyman of the parish in which he has resided during a given time. the candidate has to comply with the requirements of the Clerical Subscription Act, 1865 (28 & 29 Vict. c. 122) (see CLERICAL SUBSCRIPTION); and a clerk must have attained his twenty-third year before he can be ordained a deacon; and his twenty-fourth to receive priest'' orders.---4 Geo. 3, c. 43; Canon 34.

In the Presbyterian and Congregational churches ordination means the act of establishing a licensed preacher over a congregation with pastoral charge and authority, or the act of conferring on a man the powers of a settled minister of the gospel, without the charge of a particular church, but with general powers whenever he may be called upon to officiate.