The Rule of Saint Benedict

Ler the abbot appoint brethren, of whose life and moral conduct he is sure, to keep the iron tools, the clothes, or other property of the monastery. To these he shall allot the various things to be kept and collected, as he shall deem expedient. ‘The abbot shall hold a list of these things that, as the brethren succeed each other in their appointed work, he may know what he gives and what he receives back. If any one shall treat the property of the monastery in a slovenly or careless way let him be corrected ; if he does not amend let him be subjected to regular

discipline.