Section 99
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 67 sons of a different character is not only unprofitable but inju rious." There were at this time, in all probability, persons who, under the influence of an inspired and ardent faith, instituted this mode of life in imitation of the ancient prophets. Wherefore, as it is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, a book well authenti cated, that all the associates of the apostles, after selling their possessions and substance distributed to all according to the ne cessity of each one, so that there was none in want among them. " For as many as had lands and houses, as this account says, sell ing them, brought the value of the property sold, and laid it at the apostles' feet, so as to distribute to each one according to his necessity." Philo giving his testimony to facts very much like these, in the same description superadds the following statement. " This kind of men is every where scattered over the world, for both Greeks and barbarians should share in so permanent a be nefit. They abound, however, in Egypt, in each of its districts, and particularly about Alexandria. " But the principal men among them from every quarter emi grate to a place situated on a moderate elevation of land beyond the lake Maria, very advantageously located both for safety and temperature of the air, as if it were the native country of the Therapeutae." After thus describing what kind of habitations they have, he speaks thus of the churches in the place. " In every house there is a sacred apartment which they call the Semnaeum, or Monasterium, where, retired from men, they per form the mysteries of a pious life. Hither they bring nothing with them, neither drink nor food, nor anything else requisite to the necessities of the body ; they only bring the law and the in spired declarations of the prophets, and hymns, and such things by which knowledge and piety may be augmented and perfect ed." After other matters, he adds : " The whole time between the morning and evening, is a constant exercise ; for as they are engaged with the sacred Scriptures, they reason and comment upon them, explaining the philosophy of their country in an al legorical manner. For they consider the verbal interpretation as signs indicative of a secret sense communicated in obscure inti mations. They have also commentaries of ancient men, who, as