A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

695of enduring abstinence should know that they will have their ownreward. But the prior shall judge if either the needs of the place,or labor, or heat of the summer require more; considering, inall things, lest satiety or drunkenness creep in. Indeed, we readthat wine is not suitable for monks at all. But, because in ourtimes it is not possible to persuade monks of this, let us agree atleast as to the fact that we should not drink until we are sated,but sparingly. For wine can make even the wise to go astray.Where, moreover, the limitations of the place are such that theamount written above cannot be found, but much less or nothingat all, those who live there shall bless God and shall not murmur.And we admonish them as to this, above all, that they be withoutmurmuring.41. At what hours the brethren ought to take their refection.42. That after Compline no one shall speak. 43. Concerningthose who come late to Divine Service or to table. 44. Concerningthose who are excommunicated and how they shall rendersatisfaction. 45. Concerning those who make mistakes in theoratory. 46. Concerning those who err in other matters. 47.Concerning the announcement of the hour of Divine Service. [636]48. Concerning the daily manual labor. Idleness is the enemyof the soul. Therefore at fixed times the brethren ought to beoccupied in manual labor; and again at fixed times in sacredreading. Therefore we believe that according to this dispositionboth seasons ought to be so arranged that, from Easter untilthe first of October, going out early from the first until aboutthe fourth hour, they shall labor at what might be necessary.Moreover, from the fourth until about the sixth hour, they shallgive themselves to reading. After the sixth hour, moreover,rising from table, they shall rest in their beds with all silence; orperchance he that wishes to read may so read to himself that heshall not disturb another. And nones shall be said rather early,about the middle of the eighth hour; and again they shall work atwhat is necessary until vespers. But if the exigency or the poverty