and of their priesthood, that they also may one day, as elders and superiors, train and teach the young priests who shall be intrusted to them.
(5) That, though the rector has the cure of souls in chief, they also are responsible, but in dependence on the rector, for all the work, for all the failures, and for all the omissions of work in the mission.
7. "The mensa or common table in a presbytery is the token and pledge of brotherly charity, which is lessened by absence. If absence happens often, it altogether undoes charity. Therefore let them seldom go abroad to the tables of others, much less let them frequent them; having food and wherewith to be covered, with these we are content."[1]
In the measure in which we have brotherly charity we shall understand the meaning and the power of the mensa communis. In the measure in which we disregard the admonitions of the common table we may suspect, or rather we may be sure, that our brotherly love is low in fervour and dim of sight. The wholesome equality of Christian brotherhood is recognised and sustained by the contentment and abnegation of self, by which they who have money, or rich relations, or many friends, deny themselves for the sake of those who have not. It is a danger
- ↑ 1 S. Tim. vi. 8.
