In 1523, the great Reformer, 1, in his "_Method of conducting Christian Mass_," addressed to Rev.Nicolas Hausman, after having rejected such portions of the Romish mass, as he thought wrong, he approved others, as explained by himself, such as the, Introitus, the Kyrie eleison, the Collecta or prayer epistles, the Singing of the Gradual, a short sequens, the Gospel, the Nicene Creed, and a number of other matters, including the elevation of the host, but not for worship, [Note 9] he proceeds to the next part of the Treatise which is headed "How to _administer the most holy sacrament to the people," [Note 10] and his first sentence is the following: "Let this much suffice to be said of the _Mass_, and service of the minister; we will now proceed to treat of the manner in which the holy _sacrament_ shall be administered to the people, for whose benefit especially the Supper of our Lord was instituted." Here we clearly see the distinction between the performances of the priest _before_ the communion which constitute the _Mass_, and the distribution of the elements to the people, which he terms holy _sacrament_.

Then, after having discussed the subject of the communion, that it should be received in both kinds, &c., he adds, "Let this suffice for the present on the subject of the mass _and_ communion." [Note 11] 2.

In his _letter to Lazarus Spengler_, in 1528, Luther observes this same distinction.

"In the first place," he remarks, "it is unreasonable that any one should be forced to receive the sacrament or to abstain from it." And he adds: "All masses, at which there are _no communicants_" (that is, at which the sacrament is not administered,) "should absolutely be omitted." [Note 12] Here the administration of the supper to the laity is termed _sacrament_, and that service performed by the minister, which was sometimes succeeded by the sacrament or communion, and at others not, is called _mass_.
3.

_The Counsel of Luther and Pomeranius_, in 1528, to Duke George: "First, as you inquire concerning _parish_ masses, &c.