BROTHER is also a customary term for priests of the same persuasion to address one another by; but it is more particularly used to denote the relation between monks of the same convent, as father Zachary: In English, we more usually say, Friar Zachary, from the French word frere, brother. Preachers also call their hearers, my brethren, or my dear brethren; and sometimes they use the singular number, and say, my brother.
This appellation is borrowed from the primitive Christians, who all called each other brothers: but it is now principally used for such of the religious as are not priests; those in orders are generally honoured with the title of father, whereas the rest are only simply brothers.