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THE CORONATION 121
into the abyss of wickedness and eternal damnation.
This tremendous danger we must avoid, so that no one
may hold in possession or handle money and that all
may
imitate and follow the strictest poverty of our Captain
and Master. I know that all of you desire this, well
us from this con
understanding that in order to preserve
tagion the Lord has placed this risk and chastisement be
fore our eyes. Therefore that we all may be free from the
hindrances connected with the gifts and alms brought us
by the faithful, it is necessary to arrange some form of
administration. It is
proper that you now determine
upon
the manner and order to be maintained in the re
ception and the distribution of the moneys and gifts of
the faithful."
105. The whole gathering of the Apostles and disci
ples were somewhat at a loss to find the proper course to
be pursued; and several opinions were proposed. Some
of them suggested that a chief Stewart be chosen, who
should receive all the money and gifts, and who should
distribute it
according to the necessities of all. But this
suggestion was not favored by this gathering of the poor
and of the disciples of the Master of poverty, on ac
count of the example of Judas so recently before their
of all
eyes. To others it seemed good to make a deposit
the goods into the hands of a reliable person not belong
ing to the apostolic college, who should be master of it
and apply the profits or rents according to the needs of
but also this seemed inappropriate, just as
the faithful;
other measures also proposed. The great Mistress of
humility, the blessed Mary, listened to all without say
ing a word; as well because She wished to show this
reverence to the Apostles, as because no one would have
advanced his own opinion, if She had first made known
her view. Although She was the Teacher of all, She
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