OpenLLM-France/wikimedia huggingface dataset:
# Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume XIV/Additional Canons 1/The Council of Neocaesarea/Canons/Canon IX

Canon IX.
A presbyter who has been promoted after having committed carnal sin, and who shall confess that he had sinned before his ordination, shall not make the oblation, though he may remain in his other functions on account of his zeal in other respects; for the majority have affirmed that ordination blots out other kinds of sins. But if he do not confess and cannot be openly convicted, the decision shall depend upon himself.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon IX.
If a presbyter confess that he has sinned, let him abstain from the oblation, and from it only. For certain sins orders remit. If he neither confess nor is convicted, let him have power over himself.
Van Espen.
Therefore if he who before his ordination had committed a sin of the flesh with a woman, confess it after ordination, when he is already a priest, he cannot perform the priestly office, he can neither offer nor consecrate the oblations, even though after his ordination he has preserved uprightness of living and been careful to exercise virtue; as the words “zeal in other respects” (“studious of good”) Zonaras rightly interprets.
And since here the consideration is of a sin committed before ordination, and also concerning a presbyter who after his ordination was of spotless life, and careful to exercise virtue, the Fathers rightly wished that he should not, against his will, be deposed from the priestly office.
It is certainly curious that this canon speaks of ordination as in the opinion of most persons taking away all sins except consummated carnal offences. And it will be noted that the ἀφιέναι must mean more than that they are forgiven by ordination, for they had been forgiven long ago by God upon true contrition, but that they were made to be non-existent, as if they had never been, so that they were no hinderance to the exercise of the spiritual office. I offer no explanation of the difficulty and only venture to doubt the satisfactory character of any of the explanations given by the commentators. Moreover it is hard to grasp the logical connexion of the clauses, and what this “blotting out” of τὰ λοιπὰ has to do with the matter I entirely fail to see. The καὶ after πολλοὶ may possibly suggest that something has dropped out.
This canon and the following are together in the Corpus Juris Canonici, Gratian’s Decretum, Pars II., Causa xv., Quæst. viii., c. i.

## Footnotes

* ↑ Aristenus understands this of fornication.
# Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume XIV/Additional Canons 1/The Council of Neocaesarea/Canons/Canon VII

Canon VII.
A presbyter shall not be a guest at the nuptials of persons contracting a second marriage; for, since the digamist is worthy of penance, what kind of a presbyter shall he be, who, by being present at the feast, sanctioned the marriage?
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon VII.
A presbyter ought not to be present at the marriage of digamists. For when that one implores favour, who will deem him worthy of favour.
Hefele.
The meaning of the canon is as follows: “If the digamist, after contracting his second marriage, comes to the priest to be told the punishment he has to undergo, how stands the priest himself who for the sake of the feast has become his accomplice in the offence?”
Van Espen.
The present canon again shews that although the Church never disapproved of, nor reputed second or still later marriages illicit, nevertheless the Fathers enjoined a penance upon digamists and those repeating marriage, because by this iteration they shewed their incontinence. As he that contracted a second marriage did not sin properly speaking, and committed no fault worthy of punishment, therefore whatever was amiss was believed to be paid off by a lighter penance, and Zonaras supposes that the canons inflicted a mulct upon digamists, for saith he, “Digamists are not allowed for one year to receive the Holy Gifts.”
Zonaras seems to indicate that the discipline of the canon was not in force in his time, for he says, “Although this is found in our writings, yet we ourselves have seen the Patriarch and many Metropolitans present at the feast for the second nuptials of the Emperor.”

## Footnotes

* ↑ Bp. Beveridge for “that one” translates “the digamist.” The meaning is very obscure at best.
# Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume XIV/Additional Canons 1/The Council of Neocaesarea/Canons/Canon X

Canon X.
Likewise, if a deacon have fallen into the same sin, let him have the rank of a minister.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon X.
A deacon found in the same crime shall remain a minister (ὑπηρέτης).
Hefele.
By ministers (ὑπήρεται) are meant inferior officers of the Church—the so-called minor orders, often including the subdeacons.
This canon is in the Corpus Juris Canonici, Gratian’s Decretum, Pars II., Causa xv., Quæst. viii., united with canon ix., and in the following curious form: “Similiter et diaconus, si in eodem culpæ genere fuerit involutus, sese a ministerio cohibebit.”
# Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume XIV/Additional Canons 1/The Council of Neocaesarea/Canons/Canon IV

Canon IV.
If any man lusting after a woman purposes to lie with her, and his design does not come to effect, it is evident that he has been saved by grace.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon IV.
Whoso lusteth but doth not accomplish his pleasure is preserved of God.
Hefele.
Instead of ἑπιθυμῆσαι we must read, with Beveridge and Routh, who rely upon several mss., ἐπιθυμήσας.  They also replace μετ᾽ αὐτῆς by αὐτῇ.
The meaning of the canon appears to me to be very obscure. Hefele refers to Van Espen and adopts his view, and Van Espen in turn has adopted Fleury’s view and given him credit for it, referring to his Histoire Ecclesiastique, Lib. X., xvij. Zonaras’ and Balsamon’s notes are almost identical, I translate that of the latter in full.
Balsamon.
In sins, the Fathers say, there are four stages, the first-motion, the struggle, the consent, and the act: the first two of these are not subject to punishment, but in the two others the case is different. For neither is the first impression nor the struggle against it to be condemned, provided that when the reason receives the impression it struggles with it and rejects the thought. But the consent thereto is subject to condemnation and accusation, and the action to punishment. If therefore anyone is assailed by the lust for a woman, and is overcome so that he would perform the act with her, he has given consent, indeed, but to the work he has not come, that is, he has not performed the act, and it is manifest that the grace of God has preserved him; but he shall not go off with impunity. For the consent alone is worthy of punishment. And this is plain from canon lxx. of St. Basil, which says; “A deacon polluted in lips (ἐν χείλεσι)” or who has approached to the kiss of a woman “and confesses that he has so sinned, is to be interdicted his ministry,” that is to say is to be prohibited its exercise for a time. “But he shall not be deemed unworthy to communicate in sacris with the deacons.  The same is also the case with a presbyter. But if anyone shall go any further in sin than this, no matter what his grade, he shall be deposed.” Some, however, interpret the pollution of the lips in another way; of this I shall speak in commenting on Canon lxx. of St. Basil.

## Footnotes

* ↑ Balsamon’s note is most curious reading, but beside being irrelevant to the present canon of Neocæsarea, would hardly bear translation into the vernacular.
# Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume XIV/Additional Canons 1/The Council of Neocaesarea/Canons/Canon XI

Canon XI.
Let not a presbyter be ordained before he is thirty years of age, even though he be in all respects a worthy man, but let him be made to wait. For our Lord Jesus Christ was baptized and began to teach in his thirtieth year.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon XI.
Unless he be xxx. years of age none shall be presbyter, even should he be worthy, following the example of the baptism of our Saviour.
This canon is found in the Corpus Juris Canonici, Gratian’s Decretum, Pars I., Dist. lxxviii., c. iv.
Gratian.
(Ut supra, Nota.)
This is the law, and we do not read that Christ, or John the Baptist, or Ezechiel, or some other of the Prophets prophesied or preached before that age. But Jeremiah and Daniel we read received the spirit of prophecy before they had arrived even at youth, and David and Solomon are found to have been anointed in their youth, also John the Evangelist, while still a youth, was chosen by the Lord for an Apostle, and we find that with the rest he was sent forth to preach: Paul also, as we know, while still a young man was called by the Lord, and was sent out to preach. The Church in like manner, when necessity compels, is wont to ordain some under thirty years of age.
For this reason Pope Zacharias in his Letter to Boniface the Bishop, number vi., which begins “Benedictus Deus” says,
C. v. In case of necessity presbyters may be ordained at xxv. years of age.
If men thirty years old cannot be found, and necessity so demand, Levites and priests may be ordained from twenty-five years of age upwards.
Van Espen.
The power of dispensing was committed to the bishop, and at length it was so frequently exercised that in the space of one century [i.e. by the end of the xiith century] the law became abrogated, which was brought about by necessity, so that it passed into law that a presbyter could be ordained at twenty-five. And from this it may appear how true it is that there is no surer way of destroying discipline and abrogating law than the allowing of dispensations and relaxations. Vide Thomassinus, De Disc. Eccles., Pars. IV., Lib. I., cap. 46.
# Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume XIII/Gregory the Great/Book X/Letter 2

Epistle XV.
To Clementina, Patrician.
Gregory to Clementina, &c.
It has reached us by the report of a certain Abbot that your Glory has been told by certain evil-speakers that we have a pique against you. If this is so, whosoever have made up this story have been double towards you under a shew of sincerity, so as to shew themselves off as faithful, and wickedly cause you to doubt us.  But I, glorious daughter, knowing thy good qualities of old, and especially the chastity which has been thy companion from youth, have ever regarded thee with great respect and affection. But, lest even now your Glory should suspect that my heart is changed, I declare that there is not in me a scruple of ill-feeling or anger towards you; but be assured that I evince paternal affection for you. One thing, however, that has been told me I ought not to pass over in silence, lest there should begin to be a diminution of charity, if what needs to be said for amendment were suppressed.
For indeed it has been reported to me that, when any one has offended you, you retain soreness unremittingly. Now, if this is true, since the more I love you the more grieved I am, I beg that you would nobly rid yourself of this fault, and not suffer the seed of the enemy to grow to the detriment of your crop of well-doing.  Let the words of the Lord’s Prayer be brought back to your memory, and let not blame prevail with you over pardon. Let the goodness of your Glory get the better of transgressions, and by salubriously pardoning make the offender devoted to you more than persistent asperity can make him undevoted. Let there be left to him what may make him ashamed, and not kept up what may grieve him. For usually discreet remission has more effect for correction than strictness in executing vengeance; so much so that sometimes the one makes a man more faithful and subdued, while the other makes him obstinate and spiteful. And indeed we do not say this to you in order that you should abate your zeal for righteousness, but lest you should be in the least things such as you ought to be in the greatest. For, if ever the quality of a transgression requires severity, it should be so dealt with that both vengeance may correct the fault and grace not be denied afterwards to those that have been corrected. Seeing, then, that we warn you under the dictates of paternal affection for your soul’s good, receive our words with the charity wherewith they are spoken, and take them to yourself for the advantage of your Glory, so that your good qualities may become clearer before men and very pure before Almighty God. But count on us, dearest daughter, confidently in all things, as indeed you may; and, since we always desire to hear of your prosperity, refresh us often by your letters.

## Footnotes

* ↑ Clementina was one of the ladies of rank whose acquaintance Gregory had made at Constantinople, and with whom he continued to keep up affectionate fatherly intercourse. Cf. I. 11, and the epistle which follows this.
# Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume XIII/Gregory the Great/Book X/Letter 13

Epistle LXII.
To the Neapolitans.
Gregory to the clergy and noble citizens of Naples.
It is not a new thing, nor is it reprehensible, that in the election of a bishop the votes of the people should be divided between two parties: but it is a serious matter when in cases of this kind the election goes not by judgment, but by favour only.  For before your letter reached us we had learnt from the report of certain persons that the deacon John, who has been elected by the other party, has a little daughter. Hence, if they had had a mind to attend to reason, neither would others have elected him nor would he have consented. For what presumption must his be who dares to approach the episcopate while convicted by the evidence of the little girl, of not having had long control over his own body! Moreover, Peter the deacon, who you say has been elected by you, is, according to what is said, quite without astuteness. And you know that at the present time the person to be constituted in the highest place of government, should be one who knows how to be careful, not only for the salvation of souls, but also with regard to the external advantage and safeguard of his subjects. But know ye further that it has come to our ears concerning him, that he has given money on usury; which thing you ought to enquire into thoroughly, and, if it is so, elect another, and without delay hold yourselves aloof from a person of this kind. For we will on no account lay hands on lovers of usury. If, however, after accurate enquiry made, this should prove to be false (since his person is unknown to us, and we know not whether what has been reported to us of his simplicity be true), he must needs come to us with your decree in his favour, that, having made careful enquiry into his life and manners, we may at the same time become acquainted with his intelligence; and thus, in case of his satisfying this enquiry, we may in him, with the Lord’s help, fulfil your desires. Further, let it be your care to look out also for another person who may be suitable, so that, if this one should by any chance appear unfit for appointment to this order, there may be some one else to whom you may transfer your choice. For it will be a serious disgrace to your clergy, in case of this man by any chance not being approved, if they should say that they have no one else fit to be elected.
# Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume XIII/Gregory the Great/Book X/Letter 1

Book X.
Epistle X.
To Romanus, Guardian (Defensorem).
Gregory to Romanus, our guardian in Sicily.
It has been reported to us that our most reverend brother the bishop Basilius is occupied in legal suits as though he were one of the last of the people, and unprofitably attends the courts. Now, since this thing both renders the man himself vile and does away with the reverence due to priests, let thy Experience, immediately on receiving this order, so compel him by strict execution of it to return to his duty that, through thy insistency, a delay of five days be not under any excuse allowed him; lest, if thou shouldest in any way permit him to make such delay, thou with him shouldest come to be gravely culpable before us. Given in the month of December, Indiction 3.
# Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume XIII/Gregory the Great/Book X
## Contents

* Letter 1
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* Letter 3
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* Letter 8
* Letter 9
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* Letter 11
* Letter 12
* Letter 13
* Letter 14
# Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume XIII/Gregory the Great/Book IX/Letter 8

Epistle VIII.
To the Bishops of Sardinia.
Gregory to Vincentius, Innocentius, Marinianus, Libertinus, Agatho, and Victor, Bishops of Sardinia.
We have learnt that it is the custom of your island after the paschal festival, for you to go, or to send your representatives to your Metropolitan, and for him, whether you know the time or not, to give you directions by a written announcement concerning the following Easter. And, as report goes, some of you, neglecting to do this according to custom, pervert the hearts of others also to disobedience. It is added also that some of you, when seeking parts beyond sea in cases that arise touching their churches, venture to travel without the knowledge of their aforesaid metropolitan, or letters from him, such as canonical order prescribes. We therefore exhort your Fraternity that, conforming to the custom of your churches, as well with respect to the announcement of Easter, as also if need should compel any of you to travel anywhere for business of your own, you should ask leave of your said metropolitan according to the rule imposed upon you; except that, if (as we hope will not be the case) you should happen to have a case against your said Metropolitan, then those who are in haste on this account to seek the judgment of the Apostolic See have licence to do so, as you know is allowed in the canons by the institution even of the ancient Fathers.
# Notable South Australians/Alexander Donaldson

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Alexander Donaldson,
THE senior partner of the firm of Donaldson, Andrews, and Sharland, warehousemen, died at Surrey, England, March 18, 1883, in his 50th year. He came to this colony about forty years ago, and first began business with Messrs. Peter Cumming & Sons, of Adelaide. In 1853, he entered the service of Messrs. G. & R. Wills & Co., and remained in their employ until 1865. He was one of the first commercial travellers in South Australia, and was considered one of the most successful men in that capacity. In connection with Messrs. Andrews & Sharland, he founded the firm in 1866. He went to England shortly afterwards, and has since spent most of his time in that country. He was noted for his genial good humour, for his energy and straightforwardness in business, his gentlemanly manners, and other good social qualities.
# Notable South Australians/A. J. Edmunds, S.M.

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A. J. Edmunds, S.M.,
BORN in London, England, July 25, 1833, and arrived with his parents in South Australia by the ship "Surrey," in 1838. His father came out as a tenant farmer under the South Australian Company, and settled on land now forming part of Burnside, where Mr. Edmunds resided with them until 1851, when he visited the Victorian gold diggings, and spent two years there. He returned to this colony, and in 1855 was articled to Mr. J. E. Moulden, solicitor, of Adelaide, with whom he served portions of a term which was concluded with Mr. Wren (also solicitor, of this city). In 1860, having passed the necessary examinations, Mr. Edmunds was admitted to the bar as a practitioner of the Supreme Court, and commenced the practice of his profession at Port Adelaide. In the same year he was appointed Town Clerk of that important town, and occupied it for about eight years, during which period he was mainly instrumental in getting the present Town Hall built. In 1854 Mr. Edmunds joined the Port Adelaide Artillery Volunteer Force, and continued in it until its disbandment in 1873; serving as Sergeant, 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant, and Captain. In 1876, having then been in practice as a solicitor for sixteen years, he received the appointment of Stipendiary Magistrate, and after acting as locum tenens for Mr. J. B. Shepherdson, of Wallaroo, during his leave of absence, he was further appointed to preside over the Port ​Pirie Local Court Circuit, comprising eight Local Courts, and also over the Gladstone Insolvency Court. He was subsequently appointed Returning Officer for the Northern Electoral District for the Legislative Council, and the District of Gladstone for the House of Assembly, all of which important positions he still holds, and for which his practical legal knowledge eminently qualifies him. In 1860 Mr. Edmunds married a daughter of the late Mr. Nicholas James, assayer, and has now a family of five sons and five daughters.
# Notable South Australians/Adam George Burt

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Adam George Burt
ARRIVED in South Australia by the ship "Rajahstan," Nov. 16, 1838, and was in the Government service under Mr. Ormsby, the Deputy Surveyor General, in laying out Gumeracha, Cudlee Creek, and Mount Gould country. In 1843 he purchased a farm at Strathalbyn (now owned by Mr. L. Stirling) and in 1845 travelled overland to Port Phillip, returning with a herd of cattle for the Adelaide ​market In 1848 he rode overland to Sydney, bringing down a mob of horses. In 1870 he was second in command of the central construction party of the Overland Telegraph, and in 1871, according to instructions, travelled with one white man and a native to meet the northern party. He reached the Catherine, and brought the first message through from R. C. Patterson, Esq., then chief in command. On returning to Adelaide Mr. Burt was appointed by Sir Thomas Elder on express service with camels, and afterwards as second in command with Colonel Warburton to proceed to Western Australia, but the latter arrangement was cancelled. At the present time he has been appointed by the Queensland Government to take up camels for their service in the back country. Mr. Burt is regarded as an authority on all matters connected with the colonization of this province, and his association with it from the earliest times, and practical experience, have eminently qualified him for the position he now fills. Of affable and genial manners, ever ready to advance the interests of others, even at the expense of his own, there are few pioneer settlers who have done more real good for society at large than the subject of this notice.
# Notable South Australians/Alfred Watts

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Alfred Watts,
WELL known in commercial and social circles, died on November 29, 1884. Arrived in the colony in 1838, as accountant to the South Australian Company. Married the second daughter of Mr. William Giles, Manager of the Company. In 1857 Mr. Watts joined the well-known firm of P. Levi & Co., and after remaining there for a number of years joined the firm of Watts & Wells. The latter gentleman (Mr. Percy Wells) will be remembered as the agent for some prominent English engineers connected with the construction of several South Australian lighthouses and jetties. In 1855 Mr. Watts was elected a member of the mixed Legislative Council, as the representative of Flinders, one-third of the members being nominees, and the remainder elected. He took part in the framing of our present Constitution, and was a member for Flinders in the third and fourth Parliaments under the new régime. On account of his financial knowledge he was appointed a member of the Royal ​Commission formed to enquire into the state of the public accounts, and gave material assistance in drawing up a valuable report on the subject. For many years he was a local Director of the Bank of Australasia. He was a man of quiet demeanour and gentlemanly deportment. In Parliament he spoke seldom, and never took up time in referring to subjects which he did not thoroughly understand. Owing, it is believed to business troubles, Mr. Watts's intellect became weakened, and for some time prior to his death he disappeared from the commercial world, to the sorrow of a large circle of friends and well wishers.