68 admit or to expel as many as are suited or unfit for the varying designs of the Institute, whether they be novices or professed, coadjutors or scholars. He appoints rectors to overlook the administration of the temporal interests of the colleges, and he removes them at his pleasure." They are obliged to account to him, or to his deputed provincial, for the fulfilment of the duties of their office." He has authority to contract in purchase and in sale for the benefit of the houses and colleges of the society; only he can never alienate or dissolve them when they are already established, without the consent of a general congregation." He may dispose of indefinite bequests at his pleasure. If a testator should fail to name a particular college to which he would wish to annex his estates or to bequeath his property, the General may apply them at his discretion." He may either sell, or retain, or apportion them at will. And this power he may impart by measure to provincials, local superiors, and rectors: or he may combine with the last of them to change the purpose of a testator's will, provided it can be managed without offending the executors who are charged with the payment of the bequest.72 67 Const. P. IX. c. 3. § 1. 69 Ibid. § 4. C. 71 Ibid. § 6, 7. 68 Ibid. § 3. 70 Ibid. §5, 18. 72"Possunt omnes nostri Præpositi ac Rectores commu It is the duty of the General to enforce, and his privilege to dispense with, the observance of the Constitutions of the society. He may either exercise this power personally, or, in urgent cases, by commission; but regard must universally be had to person, and time, and place, and other circumstances. In using this licence, his prudence, the direct communication of the eternal" light, must guide him in all his steps. This dispensing faculty extends not only to the abridgment or unlimited prolongation of the time and exercises of probation, but also to the unrestricted interpretation of the intentions74 of those by whom the Constitutions were originally framed. And hence arises the mutability of the Insti tute. The power of the General in every mission, whether the subjects of the Jesuitical monarchy tare, ex uno usu ad alium necessarium legata, quæ relinquuntur nostris Collegiis vel Domibus, dummodo id fiat sine scandalo eorum, ad quos solutio talium legatorum pertinet (Sixtus IV.)... quam concessionem ampliavit Leo X. in rebus donatis per viventes, si tamen, ut dictum est, non sequatur scandalum prædictorum."-Compend. Privileg. verbo Commutatio, § 4. 73"Quam lux æterna communicaverit." c. 3. § 8. -Const. P. IX. 74 66 Idque, tam de experimentis eorum qui in Probationibus versantur, quàm de aliis rebus in quibus eam fuisse mentem eorum qui Constitutiones condiderunt, ad gloriam Dei ac Domini nostri judicabitur, dictum sit.”—Ibid. § 8. D. & E. are sent forth by himself, or whether their services are required by the papal mandate, has already been briefly described. When once the nature of the work is named, the submissive and obedient Jesuit is compelled to receive his mission with cheerfulness of mind, as from the hand of the Lord; and he must depart to execute it without a murmur.75 76 It is always for the General to determine whether any business which remains for transaction, is of sufficient importance to require a general or provincial congregation of the society. The convention of the qualified council rests entirely with himself-excepting, of course, when an election to the supreme authority is the object of the solemn assembly. Besides appointing rectors to the colleges and universities, the General selects a number of his more able men, to place them as local superiors over the different houses of the society. He makes provincials too, and appoints them to the superintendance of particular districts. Their office is commonly triennial. Yet if they should greatly please their sovereign ruler, he may permit them to continue in it unmolested for a longer time: but if not, if they should appear but little qualified for their 75"Semper autem erit subditi, missionem suam, ut de manu Domini, hilari animo suscipere.”—Const. P. VII. c. 2. C. 76 Const. P. VIII. c. 2. C. and P. IX. c. 3. § 12. extensive duties, they may quietly withdraw themselves without remark; or else, for a sufficient cause, he may remove them before the expiration of their term." They are obliged to render to him an account of all their transactions, over which he still remains omnipotent; for when he has imparted his authority by measure to provincials, superiors, or rectors, he can rescind or ratify all that he has commissioned them to execute.78 There are other offices essential to the government, of which the General retains the patronage. He appoints a proctor-general to reside at Rome; he names a secretary to transact for him the common business of the society. In conferring these preferments, he may ask the advice of men of judgment, without the necessity of taking it; for still the decision is absolutely vested in himself." He must by all means become acquainted with the consciences of those who have sworn to obey him, especially of provincials and others, who have been made partakers of the more important communications of his power. Whether they be superiors, visitors, or commissaries, who exert themselves under his authority for the public good, he may cancel or confirm their benevolent determinations: for it is always provided 77 Const. P. IX. c. 3. § 14. I. 79 Ibid. § 16. K. 78 Ibid. § 4, 15. that implicit reverence and obedience shall be shewn to him, as unto the pope of the society "qui Christi vices gerit." The society retains a small measure of provisional restraint over the vast authority of this powerful ruler. ruler. The provincials, who are appointed by the General himself, are constituted overseers in all things which appertain unto him, for the protection of the public good.82 Four assistants are chosen by the society, to be near his person, discreet and zealous men, taken (if it conveniently may be) from among the select professed.83 They are elected at the same congregation with the General himself; and it is their duty to advise and act for him principally in the former three of the six following provisions:84 1. In reference to a proper supply of food and raiment and personal expenditure, which may be increased or diminished at the injunction of the society. With such a decision the General must comply.85 2. That his personal exertions be restrained within reasonable bounds, lest he occupy himself in toils above measure. In this also he must defer to the judgment of the society.86 3. The third has reference to the guidance of 81 Const. P. IX. c. 3. § 20. 82 Ibid. c. 5. § 1. 84 Ibid. § 2, 3. 86 Ibid. c. 4. § 3. |