rt of the church. This fund continued in after times. But it was
principally for the relief of poor and distressed saints, in which the
ministers of the Gospel, if in that situation, might also share.
Tertullian, in speaking of such funds, gives the following account:
"Whatsoever we have, says he, in the treasury of our churches, is not
raised by taxation, as though we put men to ransom their religion, but
every man once a month, or when it pleaseth him, bestoweth what he
thinks proper, but not except he be willing. For no man is compelled,
but left free to his own discretion. And that, which is thus given, is
not bestowed in vanity, but in relieving the poor, and upon children
destitute of parents, and in the maintenance of aged and feeble persons,
and of men wrecked by sea, and of such as have been condemned to
metallic mines, or have been banished to islands, or have been cast into
prison, professing the Christian faith."

In process of time, towards the close of the third century, some lands
began to be given to the church. The revenue from these was thrown into
the general treasury or fund, and was distributed, as other offerings
were, by the deacons and elders, but neither bishops nor ministers of
the Gospel were allowed to have any concern with it. It appears from
Origen, Cyprian, Urban, Prosper, and others, that if in those times such
ministers were able to support themselves, they were to have nothing
from this fund. The fund was not for the benefit of any particular
person. But if such ministers stood in need of sustenance, they might
receive from it; but they were to be satisfied with simple diet, and
necessary apparel. And so sacred was this fund held to the purposes of
its institution, that the first Christian emperors, who did as the
bishops advised them, had no recourse to it, but supplied the wants of
ministers of the Gospel from their own revenues, as Eusebius, Theodoret,
and Sozomen relate.

The council of Antioch, in the year 340, finding fault with the deacons
relative to the management of the funds of the churches, ordained that
the bishops might distribute them, but that they should take no part of
them to themselves, or for the use of the priests and brethren who lived
with them, unless necessity required it, using the words of the Apostle,
"Having food and raiment, be therewith content."

In looking at other instances, cited by the Quakers, I shall mention
one, which throws light for a few year