plicant for admission. The most important portion of the code, the constitutions, consists of ten chapters, to each of which are added explanations {Declarationes), which, accoriling to the intentions ol the founder, are to be equally valid as the constitutions. Next follow the decrees and canons of the general congregations; the plan of studies {Ratio Studiorum), which, however, in 1832 was considerably changed by the general John Eoothahn; the decrees of the generals (Ordinationes Generalium), as they were revised by the eighth Gen- eral Congregation in 1615 ; and, in conclusion, by three ascetic writings — the Jndustrice ad curandos animce morhos of general Claudius Aquaviva, the Spiritual Ex- ercises of Ignatius, and the Directorium, an official in- struction for the right use of these exercises. At the head of the order is a general (Prrepositus Generalis'), who is elected for life, must reside at Rome, and is only subject to the pope. His power is iralimited, as the Council of Assistants has only a deliberative vote. He is, hov.-ever, bomid to the constitutions, which he can neither change nor set aside. The constitution provides for the deposition of a general in particular cases by the General Congregation, but the case has not yet occurred. For the administration of the provinces into which the order is divided the general appoints provincials for the term of three years. Several provinces are united into an assistentia, which is represented in the council of the general by an assistant. There were in 1871 five assistants for Italy, France, Spain, England, and Ger- many. The assistants are appointed by the General Congregation, but in case of the death or a long absence of an assistant the general can substitute another, with the consent of the majority of the provincials. Subor- dinate to the provincial are the pra;positi, who govern the houses of the professed, and the rectors, who govern the colleges and the novitiates. They are likewise ap- pointed by tJie general. At the head of the minor es- tablishments (residenticr) are "superiors." Each of these officers has by his side a consultor to advise, and a monitor to watch and admonish him. As in every religious order, the members are divided into priests and lay brothers {Coudjutores temporales). The latter take the simple vows after a two-years' novitiate, and the solemn vov.'s after having been in the order for at least ten years. Those candidates who, on entering the or- der, leave their future employment entirely to the dis- position of their superiors, are called Indi^'erentes ; but, according to a decree of the General Congregation, their final destination must be assigned to them at least with- in two years. The candidates for the priesthood are, during the first two years, Novitii scholastici; then, after binding themselves to the order by taking simple vows, they become Scholastici approbati, devote them- selves for several years to classical and philosophical studies, and are for some time employed as teachers or educators in the colleges, before they begin the study of theology, which lasts for four years. After the com- pletion of the theological course they are ordained priests, and now enter into a third novitiate, the sole object of which is to increase their zeal. At the end of this novitiate the candidate is admitted to tlie solemn professidu of tlie vows, and enrolled cither in the class of tlie professed or that of the spiritual coadjutors. Only the former class, the professed, who take the fourth vow of an imconditional obedience to the Jiope, possess the full rights of members of the society. Tlie professed of a province every third year meet in a provincial con- gregation, and out of their midst choose a proturatoi; who has to make a report on the affairs and condition of the province to the general. On the death of a gen- eral the Provincial Congregation elects two deputies, who, together with the provincials, constitute the Gen- eral Congregation, which elects tlie new general. In this General Congregation the supreme legislative power is vested; it can be called together on extraordinary' occasions by the general, and, in case the latter neglects his duty, by the assistants. Thus the order bears the
aspect of military aristocracy, and never, during tlie whole history of the Church of Rome, have the popes had in their service a body of men so thoroughly dis- ciplined. " Before any ono could become a member, he was severely and approiiriately tested in the novitiate. Of the actual members, only a few choice spirits reached the perfect dignity of the professed, from whom alone were chosen the principal officers, the superiors and the provincials, constituting a well-organized train of au- thorities up to the general. Every individual was pow- erful in his appropriate sphere, but in every act he was closely watched and guarded lest he should transcend his proper limits. So perfect was the obedience incul- cated by a long course of discipline, and strengthened by every spiritual means, that a single arbitrarj- but in- flexible will controlled every movement of the order in all parts of the world. Although everj' individual pos- sessed no more will of his ov.ii than the particular mem- bers of the human body, he expected to be placed in precisely that position in which his talents would be best developed for the common benefit : in exercises of monastic devotion, in literary and scientific pursuits, in the secular life of courts, or in strange adventures and eminent offices among savage nations" (Hase, Chuixh Hisforj/, § 383).