Brethren of Social Life

( Eccl. Hist.) This a ociation, which profe ed to imitate the social condition of the primitive Christians, was founded about 1376 by Geert Groote and Florentius Radewin. They had their goods in common, and were protected against the opposition of the religious orders by several popes and councils. The last fraternity was founded at Cambray in 1505. At the Reformation many members of these societies joined the reformed congregations, while others were united with the Jesuits. They were also called Brethren of the Common Lot, Brethren of Good Will, Hieronymites, and Greg or i ans. Brethren of the Christian Schools. ( Eccl . Hist.) An order of the Roman Church, established at Rheims by the Abbé de La Salle in 1725, sanctioned by Benedict XIII. in 1725, and now established in almost all the Catholic towns of Europe. In France principally, they number upwards of 500 schools. The object of the order is to provide instruction for the poorest cla es of the population. The members of the order take upon themselves the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. Their costume is a coarse black ca ock, and a small collar or band around the neck, for the house, and a hooded cloak and a wide hat for out-door purposes. Their diet is of the simplest kind. Their teaching is mainly rudimentary, although in some of their schools Latin and the higher mathematics form part of the course. Priests may be admitted to the order, but no member may become a priest. They are very numerous in Ireland. They have established schools in several towns of the U. States, where they count about 10,000 pupils. Brethren, (White.) See WHITE BRETHREN. Bretigny, (bre-tern'ye,) a village of France, dep. Eureet-Loir, 6 m. from Chart res, celebrated as the place where, in 1360, Edward III. concluded a peace with France, by which John II. of France was released from his captivity in England, on agreeing to pay 3 million Stour. Bret'tice, Brattice, n . ( Mines .) One of the wooden plankings used in coal mines to prevent the falling in of the strata.