let him be placed with those who participate in prayer only. By all means, however, let the bishop impart the offering to every one, on examination, who desires, at the point of death, to partake of the eucharist.

CANON XV.-Of the inexpediency of removing from one city to another.

On account of the frequent tumults and seditions which arise, it is decreed, that the custom which exists in some parts, contrary to the canon, be entirely taken away; so that no bishop, priest or deacon, be permitted to migrate from one city to another. If any one after this determination of the holy synod, shall attempt any such thing, or shall engage in a business of this nature, such a proceeding shall be rendered altogether void, and he shall be restored to the church of which he has been ordained bishop, priest or deacon.

CANON XVI. Of those who do not remain in the churches to which they have been appointed.

Whoever, not having the fear of God before their eyes, and disregarding the ecclesiastical canon, shall rashly withdraw from the church, whether they be priests or deacons, or in any other ecclesiastical order, such persons ought by no means to be received by any other church, but should be compelled to return to their own parishes; and those who are obstinate, should be deprived of the communion. If any clergyman should presume to invade what belongs to another, and be ordained in his church, without the consent of the bishop from whom he had withdrawn, such ordination shall be null and void.

CANON XVIII. Of presbyters receiving the eucharist from deacons.

It having come to the knowledge of the great and holy council, that in certain places and cities, the eucharist is administered by deacons to presbyters, and neither law nor custom permitting that those who have no authority to offer the body of Christ should deliver it to those who have; and it being also understood, that some deacons receive the eucharist before even the bishops, let therefore all these irregularities be removed, and let the deacons remain within their own limits, knowing that they are ministers of the bishops, and inferior to the presbyters. Let them receive the eucharist in their proper place, after the presbyters, whether it be administered by a bishop or presbyter. Nor is it permitted to deacons to sit among the presbyters, as that is against rule and order. If any one will not obey, even after these regulations, let him desist from his ministry.*

*The order of deacons was instituted to serve tables, and chiefly the table of the Lord. It is mentioned by Justin Martyr, towards the close of his second apology for the Christians, that they were employed to carry the bread and wine to such communicants as were absent. They had the administration of the offerings, and of all the temporal concerns of the churches. The poor received from their hands the alms of the faithful, and the clergy, their stipends and remuneration. All this was adapted to increase their consequence, and gave them, says Fleury, a kind of authority over the priests. The council of Arles had already begun to check the aspiring views of the deacons, by prohibiting that order, in their eighteenth canon, "ut diaconus nihil sine presbytero suo agat," from taking upon themselves any functions belonging to the priests.

دم

ERRATA.

At page 7, line 9, for Thebias,' in a few copies, read Thebais. Page 8, line 1, for having built a palace in that city a short time before the reign of Diocletian,' read where Diocletian had built a palace a short time before.' Page 19, note, for heræseos,' read 'hæreseos.

Page

23, reference, at the foot, for Phil. I. 2.' read Phil. II. 2.' Page 27, line 18, for is directed to the churches in general,' read 'is particularly addressed to the church of Alexandria,' and in line 21, reverse the expression. Page 35, note, for 'prefered,' read 'preferred.' Page 36, line 24, for Camelion-like,' read 'Chameleon-like.'