Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 03.djvu/628

* BROTHERS. 553 BROTHERS OF THE FREE SPIRIT. was not very successful, runniug for eight nights and c'k^iring only £400. It was written during the author's early life, and for a long time sujj- pressed as inimical to his profession of clergy- man. (3) A jilay by Richard Cumberland, brought out at Covent Garden in ITliy. It was the first real comedy of the author, and gained for him the friendship of Garrick, by the flattery of the |irologue. BROTHERS, Richard (1757-1824). A re- ligious fanatic. He was born at Plaeentia, New- foundland, December 25, 1757. and was at one time a lieutenant in the British Navy, which he quitted on half pay in 1783, believing that a military life was inconsistent with a Christian profession. Having scruples against taking the oath requisite to enable him to receive his half pay, he was reduced to great distress, and ulti- mately placed in the workhouse for a brief period. He regained his liberty in 1792. Dating his first call from 17!>0. he announced himself, in 1703. the apostle of a new religion, "the nephew of the Almighty, and Prince of the Hebrews, ap- pointed to lead them to the land of Canaan." In 1794 he published a book, entitled A Revealed Knowledge of the Prophecies and Times, etc.; and, in 1795, an exposition of the Trinity. He was the author of several other publications marked by a strange mixture of reason and in- sanity, which made a temporary sensation. In consequence of prophesying the death of the King and the destruction of the monarchy, he was committed to Newgate, but soon liberated. Some of his political predictions, especially in reference to the state of the Continent, were either altogether or partially fulfilled: and many persons were induced to sell their goods, and prepare to accompany him to his New Jerusalem, which was to be built on both sides of the river .Jordan. Even men of ability and education were deluded into believing in him, two of the most eminent being Halhed, the Orientalist, and Wil- liam Sharp, the celebrated engraver. .s a dan- gerous lunatic, he was at length committed to a private asylum, but released in 180C, and died in Lonilciii, .Tanuary 25, 1824. BROTHER SAM. A play adapted by Soth- ern and liuckstone in 1874, from John Oxenford's comedy of the same name. It is a continuation of Our American Cousin, the title character being the brother of Lord Dundreary, the hero of that pliiy. BROTHERS and SISTERS OF CHARITY. Under these names, there exist in the Ivcjman Catholic (hurcli two widely ramified beneficent societies for the nursing of the poor and sick in hospitals, without distinction of faith, rank, or nation. The Order of the Brothers of Charity, or Compassionate Brothers, was established in 1.540 at Seville, in Spain, by the Portuguese Jo.ao de Dio (died 15.50), who had served in .frica under Charles V. The funds for the purpose were obtained by begging. The primitive object of the society was the care of the sick and tbe reformation of women of immoral ciiaracter; it was composed of lay members, imder no rule. In the year 1572 the order received the Papal recognition, and was subjected to the rule of Saint Augustine. All the privileges of the men- dicant Orders were conceded to it in the year 1624, and it was then divided into a Spanish congregation, with a niajorgeneral in (iranada, and an Italian or extra-Spanish congregation, with a major-general in Rome. The political dis- turbances of the Nineteenth Century abolished the Spanish as a separate province; the whole Order is now governed by a general who resides in Koine. 11 has at the present time over a thou- sand members, who bind themselves, besides the usual three vows, by a fourth which recjuires them to devote their whole lives to the care of the sick and infirm. Their services to dis- tressed humanity continue to be held in high estimation. There are, in the Roman Catho- lic Church, several Orders of female celibates devoted to the care of sick and of children, who are called 'Sisters of Charity,' or, from their dress, "Gray Sisters.' The best known are the 'Sisters of Saint Vincent de Paul.' They were first called into existence in France in 1631, by Saint Vincent do Paul (born 157(5), greatly assisted by the noble-hearted and self-devoted widow, Madame Louise (de Marillac) Le Gras. The Archbishop of Paris raised the .society into an order 'The Daughters of Divine Love,' and its rule was confirmed by Pojie Clement IX. in 1668. In 1765 it already numbered 224 con- vents. The French Revolution sorely interrupted the abundant and benevolent labors of the Sisters of Charity by the supjiression and ]U'oscription of their convents in France; but Napoleon restored the Order in 1807 by the convocation of a general chapter of the scattered sisters, under the presi- denc}' of the Kmpress mothei', and by the grant of the necessary funds; and there exist at present more than 300 assocuitioiis in France, where, until lately, elementar}' education was in great part conducted by them. They attend the sick in all the great hospitals. The novitiate covers five years and the vows are renewed each 25th of March. These Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul were introduced into the United States by Elizal)eth . n Set on. at F.mmitsburg, Md., in 1809. .t first the American Sisters' rule was a frank adaptation of the French, but they were independent; hut since 1S50 they have been united to the French body and come imder the authority of the Mother (Jencral in Paris, who is herself subject to the Superior-General of the Priests of the Congregation of the Mission. They had in this country, in 1901, 3600 mem- bers". See Sisterhoods. BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF T^E FREE SPIRIT. . sect whidi s])rang up along the Rliine toward the beginning of the Thirteenth Century, and afterwards spread into France and Italy. It based its peculiar tenets on the scrip- tural doctrine that "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." Misconceiving the true na- ture of spiritual freedom, the members of this sect conceived themselves released not only from ecclesiastical disci|)line. but also froir, the com- monest obligations of morality. The.v set aside the marriage tie. and indulged in licentiousness. A few even maintained the old Manichaan doc- trine that the deeds of the body could not pos- sibly afl'ect the soul. Intellectually, they arc said to iiavc been inclined to Pantheism under the teachings of Amalric of B^ne (q.v.). The synods of Cologne in 1306 and of Treves in 1310 decreed their suppression, and in the persecutions which followed they seem to have been (ompletcly dis- persed, although a few traces of their iulluence could be found as late as the Sixteenth Century,