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THE CORONATION 191
direction of the blessed Mary. But as the number of
the faithful increased it became necessary to appoint also
some widows of a mature age, to help along in the same
work of providing for the wants of the faithful, espe
cially of the women and the sick ;
these widows were to
distribute, whatever they received from the six almoners.
They were of Hebrew birth, and as the Greek Jews saw,
that none of theirs were admitted to this office they com
plained to the Apostles of this want of confidence in
their own widows.
190. In order to compose this difference, the Apostles
called together the faithful and spoke to them: "It is
not meet, that we should leave the word of God and
serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among
you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy
Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint
over this
business. But we ourselves will give
all our time to
prayer and to the ministry of the word, while these men
may solve your doubts and difficulties in regard to the
support of the faithful" (Acts 6, 2). All approved of
this expedient, and without regard to nationality they
elected the seven men mentioned by saint Luke. The
first and principal one was saint Stephen, whose faith and
wisdom was universally known. These seven were su
perintendents over the six first ones and over the widows
without excluding the Greeks for ; they looked to virtue
rather than nationality. It was saint Stephen who by his
admirable wisdom and holiness extinguished the resent
ment of the Greeks and smoothed over their differences
with the Hebrews, so that at least during the months in
which he lived, all again united like children of Christ in
sincere charity without partiality or distinction of per
sons.
191. But saint Stephen did not on that account neg-
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