by St. Augustine, [1] and by St. Jerome. [2] According to these venerable personages the Tonsure was first introduced by the prince of the Apostles, in honour of the crown of thorns which was pressed upon the head of the Redeemer; that the instrument devised by the impiety of the Jews for the ignominy and torture of Christ may be worn by his Apostles as their ornament and glory. It was also intended to signify that the ministers of religion are, in all things, so to comport themselves, as to carry about them the figure and the likeness of Christ. Some, however, assert that tonsure is an emblem of the royal dignity, which belongs peculiarly to those who are specially called to the inheritance of God: for to the ministers of the Church be longs, in a peculiar manner, what the Apostle Peter says of all Christians: " You are a chosen generation, a royal priest hood, a holy nation." [3] Others are of opinion that tonsure, which is cut in form of a circle, the most perfect of all figures, is emblematic of the superior perfection of the ecclesiastical state; or that, as it consists of cutting off hair, which is a sort of superfluity, it implies a contempt of worldly things, and a detachment from all earthly cares and concerns.
The order of Porter follows Tonsure: its duty consists in Porter, taking care of the keys and door of the Church, and in suffering none to enter to whom entrance is prohibited. The Porter also assisted at the Holy Sacrifice, and took care that no one should approach too near the altar or interrupt the celebrant. To the order of Porter also belonged other functions, as is clear from the forms used at his consecration: taking the keys from the altar and handing them to him, the bishop says: " CONDUCT YOURSELF AS HAVING TO RENDER AN ACCOUNT TO GOD FOR THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE KEPT UNDER THESE KEYS." That in the ancient Church this office was one of considerable dignity may be inferred from still existing ecclesiastical observances; for to the Porter belonged the office of treasurer of the Church, to which was also attached that of guardian of the sacristy; stations the duties of which are still numbered amongst the most honourable functions of the ecclesiastic. [4]
The second amongst the Minor Orders is that of Reader: to Reader him it belongs to read to the people, in a clear and distinct voice, the sacred Scriptures, particularly the Nocturnal Psalmody; and on him also devolves the task of instructing the faithful in the rudiments of the faith. Hence the bishop, in presence of the people, handing him a book which contains what belongs to the exercise of this function, says: " RECEIVE (THIS BOOK,) AND BE YOU A REHEARSER OF THE WORD OF GOD, DESTINED, IF YOU APPROVE YOURSELF FAITHFUL AND USEFUL IN THE DISCHARGE
- ↑ Aug. serm. 17. ad Fratres in Eremo.
- ↑ Hier. in cap. 44. Ezek. vid. Rliaban. Maur. lib. de institut cleric. Bed. lib. hist. 5. Angl. c. 22.
- ↑ 1 Pet. ii. 9.
- ↑ De Ostiario vid. Trid. sess. 23. de reform, c. 17. Cone. Tolet. c. 6. et citatur. disL 25. Ostiar. Isid. lib. de Eccl. c. 14. et dist 25. c. perlectis, et apud Baron. AnnaL Eccl. an. 34. num. 287. et an. 44, num. 78. et num. 80
