Page:The Eternal Priesthood (4th ed).djvu/253

Rh him be found especially punctual in the confessional, or at least in the church, on the appointed days and hours, lest, from want of order and method, there arise scandal and injury to souls. Keep order, and order will keep you."

Want of punctuality, especially on weekdays, is a common fault, and a constant complaint from the faithful, above all from men in professions or in commerce, who are either deprived thereby of Mass, or involved in serious damage. The loss of souls through irregular attendance in the confessional, or refusing to hear a confession out of hours, or at dinner-time, or recreation, or supper-time, will never be known in this world. We ought to be afraid of failing to hear a confession when asked, unless we know by previous and certain knowledge that there is no need. But who can be sure of this?

3. "Let no women reside in the priest's house without leave of the Ordinary. Schoolmistresses and their pupil-teachers, as being more refined in intelligence and character, and therefore more exposed to the tongues of calumniators, are altogether forbidden ever to reside in the presbytery with the clergy, unless for some reason known to the Bishop, and approved by him in writing. 'Let the servants who attend on the priests be of