By the Rev. Canon J. E. Jackson, F.S.A. 



255 



of good character, competently learned, under no kind of bondage 

 of debt or service, unmarried, and suffering from no incurable malady. 

 When they desire admittance, and it has been granted, they are to 

 be introduced into the Chapter, and on being asked what their object 

 is ( ff quid petant ? ") , they are to prostrate themselves on the ground 

 and reply " The mercy of God and truth." The Rector is then to 

 say, u Rise," and he is to explain to them the rigorous observances 

 required of Religious men. On answering that they are ready to 

 keep these, they are further to be asked, whether any of the im- 

 pediments before-mentioned exk'. ? If there is none, a year of 

 probation is to be assigned. They are to assume the dress : when 

 dressed to be taken into the choir, " Veni Creator " to be chanted, 

 they being prostrate before the altar. Then " Kyrie Eleison," 

 " Salvos fac servos," " Dominus vobiscum," &c. When the year of 

 probation is over, they are to be asked whether they will live ac- 

 cording* to the rule of St. Augustine and the institutions of the 

 house? If so, their profession to be made in this manner : — I, A.B., 

 vow and make profession, and promise obedience to God, the B. V. 

 Mary, and to thee, CD., Rector of Edyndon, according to the rule 

 of Augustine and the institutions of the Boni Homines of this place : 

 and I will be obedient to thee and thy successors, even to death/' 

 Whilst saying these words, the candidate is to hold his hands between 

 the Rector's. Then the dress, at least the tunic and scapular, to be 

 consecrated after the following form : " O God, who didst vouchsafe 

 to take upon Thee the garb of our mortal nature, grant we beseech 

 thee that these garments appointed for our use by our Holy Fathers 

 in token of holiness and innocence, may by our hands be so blessed, 

 that he who wears them may be meet to behold Thee, through Jesus 

 Christ our Lord. Amen." Twice a year the Rector to produce his ac- 

 counts before the four senior brethren. In theChurch during chanting, 

 in the dormitory during sleeping, and in the refectory during eating, 

 silence to be observed. The brethren to avoid disputation. At all 

 times, especially in conversing with the scholars, 1 to use the language 



J No account has been met with of the "Scholars," but it would seem from the 

 phrase that young people of the parish, or perhaps boarders from a distance, did 

 come to the Monastery for instruction. 



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