176 HOE.^ PAULINA. 



But in this article, the material thing to be noticed if 

 the mode of expression, "Let not a widow be taken mto the 

 number." No previous account or explanation is given, to 

 which these words, "into the number," can refer; but the 

 direction comes concisely and unpreparedly, "Let not a 

 widow be taken into the number." Now, this is the w^ay 

 in which a man writes who is conscious that he is writing 

 to persons already acquainted with the subject of his letter, 

 and who he knows will readily apprehend and apply what 

 he says by virtue of their being so acquainted ; but it is not 

 the way in which a man writes upon any other occasion, 

 and least of all, in which a man w^ould draw up a feigned 

 letter, or introduce a supposititious fact.* 



^ It is not altogether unconnected with our general purpose t'.. 

 remark, in the passage befoie us, the selection and reserve which St. 

 Paul recommends to the governors of the church of Ephesus in the 

 bestowing relief upon the poor, because it refutes a calumny which 

 has been insinuated, that the liberality of the first Christians was an 

 artifice to catch converts, or one of the temptations, however, by 

 which the idle and mendicant were drawai into this societv: "Let not 

 a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old. having 

 been the wife of one man, well reported of for good works ; if she have 

 brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed 

 %e saints' feet, if she have relieved the afEicted, if she have dil; gently 

 dlowed every good work. But the younger widows refuse." Ch. .1 : 9, 

 10, 11. And in another place, "If any man or woman that believ .tb 

 have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; 

 that it may relieve them that are widows indeed." And to the same 

 effect, or rather more to our present purpose, the apostle writes in the 

 second epistle to the Thessalonians, "Even when we were with you, 

 this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should 

 he eat," that is, at the public expense. "For we hear that there are 

 6ome which walk among you disorderly, working not at all^ but are 

 busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by 

 our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat theii 

 own bread." Could a designing or dissolute poor take advantage ol 

 bounty regulated with so much caution; or could the mind which dic- 

 tated those sober and prudent directions be influenced, in his recom- 

 mendations of public charity, by any other than properest mot'vea o< 

 beneficence ? 



