CHAPTER XVI What sort of man he must be who has to encounter so many storms
CHAPTER XVI
What sort of man he must be who has to encounter so many storms
291. Consider then, what he should be who has to encounter such a storm, that he may deal rightly with so many hindrances to the common welfare.
292. For he must be grave and without haughtiness, reverend and benign, commanding and communicable, impartial and courteous, humble and not servile, energetic and gentle, in order that he may be able to contend easily against all these things, and to introduce the proper man with much authority, even though all should oppose him; and with the same authority, not to bring in him that is unfit, even though all should consent, but to look to one thing alone,—the edification of the Church, and to do nothing through enmity or favour.
293. Do you not think I have done right in refusing the business of this ministry? and I have not yet gone through all to you, for I have other things to say. But be not weary of bearing with a man who is your genuine friend, and wishes to persuade you in reference to what you charge him with. For these things are not only advantageous to my defence before you, but will perhaps confer no small benefit towards the conduct of the office.
294. It is necessary that he who is about to enter upon this course of life, should before all things well examine everything, and so embrace the ministry. For what reason? If for no other, at least for this: that it is the good fortune of one who wisely understands all such things, not to be taken by surprise when they occur.
295. Do you wish then, that I should first treat of the oversight of widows, the care of virgins, or the difficulty of the judicial department? There is in each of these a different kind of solicitude, and a fear even greater than the solicitude.
296. And first, to make a beginning with what appears easier than the others—the oversight of widows; it seems indeed only to cause those who look after the funds, concern respecting their expenditure. But this is not the case; it also requires minute examination, when it is needful to enrol them.
297. Because, to enter their names rashly and as it happens, works innumerable mischiefs. For they (widows) have ruined houses, and dissolved marriages, and been often caught in thefts and frauds, and misbehaving themselves in other like manner.
298. Now that such should be supported by the funds of the Church, brings vengeance from God, and utter condemnation from men, and renders those who are willing to do good more slow to do it. Who could ever choose, that the money which Christ commanded to be given, should be squandered upon those who vilify the name of Christ?
299. Therefore the examination which is made must be extensive and severe, so that both such as have been mentioned, and such as are able to provide for themselves, should not defile the table of those who are helpless.
300. And after this examination, another no small care succeeds;—that the supply of provision may flow in upon them freely, as if from fountains, and never fail. For somehow involuntary poverty is an insatiable evil, and complaining, and ungrateful; and there is need of much prudence, and of much diligence, to stop their mouths and to take away all pretext for finding fault.
301. Many, when they see one who is superior to avarice, forthwith fancy him to be fitted for this ministration; but I think this largeness of heart is not alone sufficient, though it is needed before other virtues (for without this a man would rather be a destroyer than a manager, a wolf instead of a shepherd), and that with it we should ask whether he happens to possess another: I refer to patience, the cause of all good things to men; which brings and conveys the soul as it were into some peaceful haven.
302. The class of widows, on account of poverty, age, and sex, employ immeasurable freedom of speech (for so it is better to call it), and they cry out unseasonably, and find fault without cause, and murmur over what they ought to be thankful for, and complain about what ought to be approved of. Yet he that has the oversight must bear all generously, and be provoked neither by their unseasonable annoyances, nor by their unreasonable repinings.
303. It is right that the class should be pitied, and not reproached for their misfortunes; so that to insult over their calamities, and to add to the pain caused by poverty, that arising from contempt, would be the extreme of cruelty.
304. Therefore, one of the wisest men, contemplating the avarice and disdainfulness of the human race, and observing the nature of poverty that it is fearful, and prostrates the most generous soul, and often causes it to be without shame in regard to such things; (that he who is entreated by them might not be offended, nor he who ought to aid them, become their enemy when provoked by the constancy of their supplications,) advises us to be gentle and accessible to the needy, saying, “Incline thine ear to the poor without grief, and answer him peaceably in meekness.” And putting aside him that annoys (for what can one say to the fallen?) he converses with him that can bear another’s infirmity, urging him to lift him up, by kindness of looks, and by gentleness of speech, before the gift is bestowed.
305. Now even if one should not take from what is theirs, but yet should cover them with reproaches, and insult them and be angry with them, not only would he fail to relieve the sadness of poverty by giving, but he would make the evil greater by his chiding.
306. For although they are driven by bodily necessity to be very unabashed, they are nevertheless grieved by this violence. Since then, they are forced to beg through fear of want, and become insolent through begging, and through being insolent again are despised, what I may call a multiform power of sadness, which brings great gloom, overshadows their soul.
307. He who has the care of them ought to be so long-suffering as not only not to increase their sorrow by his own indignation, but to mitigate the more by his consolation that which they experience. For as when one in great abundance is reproached, he does not realise the benefit of his wealth because he is wounded by the reproach; so he who hears a kind word, and receives a gift, and comfort as well, rejoices and is glad, and so his gift is doubled.
308. I say not this of myself, but after him who before exhorted us; for he says, “My son, in doing good administer no rebuke, nor grievous speech with any gift. Will not the dew assuage heat? So a word is better than a gift. For behold, a word is better than a gift, and both are with a gracious man.”
309. He who superintends these things, must not only be gentle and long-suffering, but none the less able to manage; for if this be lacking, the goods of the poor are involved in just as much mischief.
310. Some time ago, one who had been entrusted with this service, collected a large amount of money which he did not swallow up himself; neither did he expend it on the needy, with the exception of a few; but he dug a hole to keep most of it in, until a time of danger arose, and then he betrayed it into the hands of enemies.
311. There must therefore be great precaution, that the property of the Church may neither be superfluous nor fail; but all that has been contributed is to be quickly dispersed among the poor, and the treasures of the Church are to be accumulated in the predilections of its subordinate members.
312. In the entertaining of strangers, and helping the sick, how much expenditure of money, think you, is required! What accuracy and wisdom in those who have the superintendence! for this (casual) expenditure is by no means less than the one before named, but often is necessarily greater; and he who superintends must be one who is able to give with respect and prudence; that he may induce those who are in possession of wealth to bestow it zealously and joyously, and that he way not wound the feelings of contributors while providing for the refreshment of the sick.
313. Much greater patience and diligence ought to be manifested here; for somehow the sick are hard to please, and dull, and unless exactness and care be applied every way, any small matter overlooked suffices to cause great mischief to a sick man.