The critic., 1891-01-31
BROTHERHOOD OF ST. pAUL's.
The New Order of Monks Established
within the Church of England.


II is now announced that the Bishop of
London has sanctioned the formation of a
lay brotherhood of st, Paul's," to work
within the metropolitan diocese, and to be
controlled by a warden, who will be under
the Jurisdiction of the Bishop himself.
There is to be sub-warden and n chap
lain, while the rest Of the community are
to be divided into brothers, probationers
and Serving brothers,"
The duty of the "brothers" will be TO
lead "a disciplined, devotional common
life, separated from secular pursuits, and
wholly dedicated to the service of the
Church, in connection with the parochal
clergy. The warden will be appointed by
the Bishop, to whom alone he will be re
sronsible "in all things lawful" He will
preside at all meals and meetings of the
community, and he will take care that
the discipline and order of the community
are strictly observed. He will "encour-
age, advise and, il necessary, admonish
the brothers." His decision will be final,
unless majority, of the brothers bring
the matter before the Bishop. Otherwise
they must individually and as body fol-
low. strictly "thc rules regulating their
studies, dcvotioDs, meals, habits and con-
versation within the house." They are
bound to SAY the daily prayer for the
brotherhood on rising and retiring to
rest" They will be admitted as proba-
TONERS for six months, and then, as
brothers, promising TO remain for one
year.
At the expiration of that year they may
renew for another, and Mt the end
Of the second year they may either
bind themselves for five years or
indefinitely adopt the plan OF annual
renewal. The brothers will contribute
to the expenses of the community in pro.
IN hRt In av,,n tt,Nt .,E
contribution TO be arranged by the war
den, and not in any case to be made
known TO any of the other mem
bers Of the community; thus rich mem
bers and their poorer brethren will live
in every respect on terms Of equality. In
the summer they will rise at @, have
morning prayer at z, breakfast at 8 and
study and meditation from 10 to nearly
II. AT noon there will be n service, and
dinner will be served at o'clock. Out
side work will be discharged from to 5.
"Evensong" will take place at $50 and
supper at @, after which comes three
hours of indoor work. Every Wednesday
there will be three hours and a-half 'recre-
alton" and one evening of the week will
be allotted for receiving visits or going to
see outside friends.
II is curious that nothing is said in the
rules of the new community as TO any pc
culiar dress. That will be matter for,
we suppose, the discretion of the warden,
who will probably not insist on a tonsured
head, a robe with hood and girdle, and
bare feet with sandals. These "proper-
ties" are too medieval and Romanist to
suit modern English ideas. The likli-
hood Is, however, that these lay monks
will wear something marking them out
from the common role of secular Eng
lishmen. The obligation they make on
entering the brotherhood is clear enough
as regards separation from the ordinary
| affairs of the world.
Each man on entering will repeat and
| sign the following pledge: ~, =, in
the faith and love of God, the Father, the
| Son and the Holy Ghost, desirous of ded-
icatlpg and devoting my life to the service
| Of the Church of Christ, without let or
| hin6erance, do hereby solcmnly promise
that for the space of one year | will ADOPT
as the rule of my daily life the rule of the
Brotherhood of st. Paul, and do hereby
| pledge myself to abstain from all worldly
occupations, in accordance with the said
rule, and to yield obedience to the warden
of the Brotherhood in all things lawful
ohelp me God"