succeeding one another. As far as possible it ought to be alike in all rooms. Equality is a part of brotherly charity. S. Paul warns the Corinthians, who had "houses to eat and drink in," not to "put to shame those who had none."[1] If one priest has money and another has none, it is a part of charity in the richer to be as the poorer in all such accidents as furniture and the like. Contrasts are wounding, and a temptation to those who have money.
The exclusion of foolish and unseemly pictures needs no comment. The presence everywhere of the crucifix and sacred pictures is most wholesome as a mental discipline for ourselves, and as a silent witness to the world. A priest's house cannot be like the house of a layman without our seeming at least to be ashamed of our Master.
The Council of Carthage says: "Let the Bishop have furniture, table, and food cheap and poor, and let him seek the authority of his dignity in the merit of his faith and life."[2] If this be so for Bishops, then also for priests.
2. "Let regularity be observed in all things. Let the priest say Mass at the hour fixed. And though he ought to be always ready to hear confessions, let
- ↑ 1 Cor. xi. 22.
- ↑ Conc. Carthag. See Conc. Trid. sess. xxv. c. i. De Ref.
