Page:The Classical Heritage of the Middle Ages.djvu/193

 vn] WESTERN MONASTICISM 176 detailed regulations have likewise the purpose of per- fecting the monk in these virtues, that they may work their perfect work.^ The rule provides for the choice of an abbot, and points out what qualities he should possess and how he should rule.^ That the choice might fall on one of the younger monks, and that they also might speak in the counsel of the brothers,* was likely to make for progress. On the other hand, the principle of sub- ordination, for the most part of younger to older monks, was recognized in orders of precedence estab- lished among them.* Moreover, the abbot is to be obeyed as the representative of the Lord; and be- tween him and the monks were ranged the praepositus and the deacons, to aid his administration of the monastery. The mode of receiving candidates, and their dis- cipline until the time of taking the threefold vow of stabilitaSy conversio morunij and oboedientia, is carefully regulated.* And the regula has definite and detailed provision for all matters which make up the substance of monastic life. For example, it regulates the psalms and prayers and readings for the hours of the day and night, and for the different times and seasons; also the punishments for lighter and more serious faults in monks, extending to expulsion from the order; the care of the sick, the cooking, and other necessary work for the monastery ; the meals and the measure and character of the monks' food and drink, their hours of daily labor, their garments, their manner of 1 Cf. Chap. 73. « Chaps. 2 and 64. « Chap. 3.
 * Chap. 03. » Chap. 58.