Ethiopic Didascalia

Ethiopic Didascalia — Platt English translation page 98

men of the place, clothed in a goodly robe, full of grace and dignity, do thou, O Bishop, proclaim unto him the word of the Lord. And while thou hearest them singing and reading the Scriptures, neglect not thy ministry and the work of thine hands. It is right that the brethren should receive strangers, and magnify and honour them. And if there be any haughty man, who honoureth not the stranger, let the Deacon, when he cometh, rebuke him, and place him behind the rest of the people, that others, seeing him, may fear. And if there come unto you a poor man, whether old or young, let the Deacon receive such with a joyful heart, and put each one in his own place, as it is fitting : let there be no respect of persons, but let your service be that which is pleasing unto the Lord. And let the Deaconess also do likewise with the women, vvdth the rich and the poor. Exhort thy people, O Bishop, and command them to come to the church day and night, and never to be away from it, and that the people in it be not dimi- nished in number, for they are the members of Christ. And it is not concerning the Priests alone that we say this, but concerning all the people, that each one of them may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith. He that is not with me is mine adversary ; and he that gathereth not with me, scattereth. Be not slothful, therefore, for ye are the members of Christ : separate not your- selves from His body, neither prefer the cares of this world before the command- 98