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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Brother Francis, by Eileen Douglas
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Brother Francis
+       Less than the least
+
+Author: Eileen Douglas
+
+Release Date: October 2, 2010 [EBook #33950]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BROTHER FRANCIS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Louise Davies, Rose Mawhorter, Steven Turner
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+  Transcription Notes:
+
+  All obvious punctuation errors have been corrected.
+
+  Both alms-giving and almsgiving appeared in the text. Almsgiving has
+  been retained.
+
+  Both grey-green and grey green appeared in the text. Grey-green has
+  been retained.
+
+  Both countryside and country-side appeared in the text. Country-side
+  has been retained.
+
+  Both lawsuits and law-suits appeared in the text. Lawsuits has been
+  retained.
+
+  Both unheard of and unheard-of both appeared in text. Unheard of has
+  been retained.
+
+  Both any one and anyone both appeared in text. Anyone has been
+  retained.
+
+  Both swineherd and swine-herd appeared in the text. Swine-herd has
+  been retained.
+
+  Both lay workers and lay-workers appeared in the text. Lay-workers
+  has been retained.
+
+  Both Bernard di Quintavelle and Bernard di Quintavalle appeared in
+  the text. The variation has been retained.
+
+  p 1. Appenines has been corrected to Apennines.
+
+  p 16. delapidated was corrected to dilapidated
+
+  p 66. Appenines has been corrected to Apennines.
+
+  p 116. amplication has been corrected to application.
+
+  p 116. nomed was corrected to named
+
+
+         *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+  THE RED-HOT LIBRARY.
+
+  EDITED BY BRAMWELL BOOTH.
+
+
+
+  No. I.
+
+  BROTHER FRANCIS
+
+  OR,
+
+  LESS THAN THE LEAST.
+
+  BY
+
+  BRIGADIER EILEEN DOUGLAS.
+
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+
+  THE SALVATION ARMY BOOK DEPARTMENT
+    LONDON: 79 & 81 Fortess Road, N.W.
+    MELBOURNE: 69 Bourke Street
+    NEW YORK: 120 West Fourteenth Street
+    TORONTO: Albert Street
+    CAPE TOWN: Loop Street
+  SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, HAMILTON, KENT & CO., LTD.
+    4 STATIONERS' HALL COURT, LONDON, E.C.
+
+
+  1911
+
+  _Second Edition._
+
+
+
+
+  _Uniform with this Volume._
+
+
+    II. ON THE BANKS OF THE RIVER. A Brief History of the Last Days of
+         MRS. GENERAL BOOTH.
+
+   III. GEORGE FOX, THE RED-HOT QUAKER.
+
+    IV. HELPS TO HOLINESS.
+
+     V. DAVID STONER; OR, THE SHY PREACHER.
+
+    VI. RED FLOWERS OF MARTYRDOM.
+
+   VII. HEART TALKS ON HOLINESS.
+
+  VIII. COMMISSIONER DOWDLE, THE SAVED RAILWAY GUARD.
+
+    IX. PETER CARTWRIGHT: GOD'S ROUGH-RIDER.
+
+     X. THE LIFE OF LIEUT.-COLONEL JUNKER.
+
+    XI. THE SOUL-WINNER'S SECRET.
+
+   XII. GIDEON OUSELEY: AN OLD-TIME IRISH SALVATIONIST.
+
+  XIII. FLETCHER OF MADELEY.
+
+   XIV. THE CROSS OUR COMFORT.
+
+    XV. SIGHS FROM HELL.
+
+   XVI. WHAT HINDERS YOU?
+
+  XVII. THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT, AND THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD.
+
+
+
+
+  CONTENTS
+
+
+  CHAPTER.                                             PAGE.
+
+      I.--ASSISI AND FRANCIS                              1
+
+     II.--A CHANGE                                        5
+
+    III.--A LONELY STRUGGLE                              10
+
+     IV.--VICTORY WITHOUT AND WITHIN                     15
+
+      V.--FRANCIS' CALL                                  21
+
+     VI.--FRANCIS' EARLY DISCIPLES                       28
+
+    VII.--FRANCIS CALLED TO BE A SAINT                   36
+
+   VIII.--FRANCIS AS A LEADER OF MEN                     44
+
+     IX.--ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ORDER                     50
+
+      X.--THE STORY OF CLARA                             57
+
+     XI.--THE FIRST CHAPTER                              62
+
+    XII.--SOME OF FRANCIS' CONVERTS                      70
+
+   XIII.--THE STORY OF THE MARTYRS                       80
+
+    XIV.--FIRST FOREIGN MISSIONS                         87
+
+     XV.--FRANCIS' VISIT TO THE SULTAN: DISCOURAGEMENTS  95
+
+    XVI.--BRETHREN OF THE MILITIA OF JESUS CHRIST       103
+
+   XVII.--CLOUDS                                        111
+
+  XVIII.--LAST DAYS                                     119
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+The following pages have been written by my request with a view to
+making the Soldiers of The Salvation Army somewhat familiar with the
+life-story of one of the most remarkable men this world has ever seen.
+
+While many and varied will be the opinions respecting the methods
+employed by Francis of Assisi, and while some will doubtless strongly
+dissent from these methods, yet I think no serious follower of Jesus
+Christ can do otherwise than admire the sincerity, devotion and
+sacrifice of the man; and further, there can be, I think, no two
+opinions as to his having taught and manifested to the world what it
+means to be possessed entirely by the Saviour's spirit.
+
+And what did that spirit produce? Surely it was the same entire
+devotion of our all to the service of God and humanity which we
+Salvationists daily teach. The difference between our spirit and that
+of the subject of this Memoir is, I trust, very slight, although the
+manifestations of it are widely diverse. We are quite as extreme in
+our demands as to poverty and solitude as he was, only that we do not
+value these things for their own sake as he did. We daily induce
+persons to leave earthly possessions and prospects in order to go and
+seek the salvation of the poor, amongst whom their future life is to
+be spent; and we require our Officers to consecrate all they have to
+the service of the Kingdom of God right through their career, and to
+live always in a state of readiness to be sent away from all they have
+known and loved--not, indeed, to live in any cloister or hermitage,
+but in the solitude amidst the crowd which must ever be more or less
+the lot of the highest leaders of men.
+
+The system established by Francis was not adaptable to family life,
+whereas it is our joy to show how as complete a devotion to the good
+of others can be manifested by the father or mother, who spend most of
+their hours in toil for the support of those dependent upon them, as
+by the monks and nuns of old, even when they walked in entire harmony
+with the rules of their various orders.
+
+We have demonstrated that most people by the very fact of their being
+engaged in business, and having to fulfil the duties of family life,
+acquire extra power to capture for God those who are still in the
+ranks of worldliness and selfishness.
+
+Nevertheless, we must always expect God to require from time to time
+witnesses who might step out of the ordinary path altogether in order
+to revolutionise the world for Him. It were better far to aspire to so
+high and holy a calling than to excuse in ourselves any less
+self-denial, any easier life than this man's boundless love to Christ
+constrained him to adopt.
+
+It is most melancholy to reflect that Francis died almost
+broken-hearted over what he felt to be the unfaithfulness of his
+brethren. We believe that God has guided us to plans which, being
+consistent with the possibilities of modern human life, are capable of
+being carried out fully and always. But the vital question is the
+maintenance of that intense spirit of personal devotion to the good
+Shepherd and His lost sheep, which can alone render any such scheme of
+life possible. To that great end may this book minister, and God grant
+us grace and wisdom to raise up generation after generation of
+soldiers, who will not only drink in, but fully carry out that spirit.
+
+                                                      WILLIAM BOOTH.
+
+         _International Headquarters,
+                    London._
+
+
+
+
+BROTHER FRANCIS.
+
+OR,
+
+LESS THAN THE LEAST.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+ASSISI AND FRANCIS.
+
+    "Hands love clasped through charmed hours,
+    Feet that press the bruised flowers,
+    Is there naught for you to dare,
+    That ye may his signet wear?"
+
+
+You will not be likely to find Assisi marked on any ordinary map of
+Italy. It is far too unimportant a place for that. That is to say,
+geographically unimportant. Assisi lies half-way up the Apennines. The
+houses, which are built of a curious kind of rosy-tinted stone, press
+so closely together one above the other on the rocks, so that each
+house seems trying to look over its neighbours' head. The result of
+this is that from every window you have one of the grandest views in
+Europe. Above, the mountains tower into the sky, and yet they are not
+so close as to suggest crowding. Beneath lies stretched out the
+Umbrian plain, the centre and heart of Italy. With its rich harvests,
+plentiful streams and luxuriant vegetation, it might well be called
+the Eden of Italy.
+
+The atmosphere is clear and transparent, and the nights, with their
+dark blue cloudless skies, studded with myriads of shining, sparkling
+stars, are better imagined than described!
+
+[Sidenote: _Like a Prince._]
+
+It was midway up one of the narrow steep little streets, in one of
+those rosy-tinted houses, that Francis Bernardone was born, about six
+hundred years ago. Only he wasn't Francis just then. He was John. As
+a matter of fact there was no such name as Francis known in Assisi,
+and some think it was invented there and then for the first time by
+Pietro Bernardone.
+
+When his baby was born, Pietro was far away, travelling in France. He
+was a merchant, and his business often took him away from home. As
+there were no letters or telegrams to tell him the news, it was not
+till he got back that he found he had a baby son, who had been duly
+christened John at the parish church. But Pietro had no idea of
+letting a little matter of this kind stand in his way, and he told his
+wife, Pica, that the baby was not to be John, but Francis or
+Francesca. And Francis he was.
+
+The neighbours didn't like it at all. Why should Pietro set himself up
+to be so much better than other folks that he must needs invent a name
+for his baby? In what was his baby better than any of theirs? And so
+forth. Oh, Assisi was a very natural little town! From his babyhood
+these neighbours sat in judgment on little Francis. There was nothing
+much about him that pleased them. They disapproved of his dress, which
+was rich and fine, and always according to the latest fashion; of his
+idle, free, careless ways, of his handsome face, of his superabundance
+of pocket-money.
+
+"Your son lives like a prince," a neighbour said once to Pica.
+
+"What is that to you!" retorted Pica, "our son does indeed live like a
+prince. Have patience, the day may come when he will live like the Son
+of God."
+
+But in truth that day seemed long in coming, and the neighbours might
+well be forgiven when they said among themselves that young Francis
+Bernardone was being utterly spoiled. It was quite true. Frank, gay,
+good-tempered, easily led, fond of all kinds of beauty and soft
+living, the life of indulgence and ease and pleasure that he was
+brought up in was not the one that would best fit him for the battle
+of life. Pietro was rich, and he was also exceeding proud of his
+handsome gay son. It delighted him more than anything else to hear
+people say that he looked like a prince of royal blood, and he denied
+him nothing that money could procure.
+
+[Sidenote: _Young Manhood._]
+
+As he grew up into young manhood, Francis nominally assisted his
+father in his business as cloth merchant. His duties, however, were
+very light, and he was known more as a leader among the gay youth of
+Assisi than as a rising business man. He was always chosen as the
+leader of the sumptuous feasts that the young men of that era wiled
+away the evening hours with. After the feast was over, Francis used to
+lead his band out into the streets, and there under those glorious
+starry skies they finished the night singing the then popular love
+songs of France and Italy. As Francis was intensely musical, and
+possessed a very fine voice, he was indispensable at these revelries.
+
+He was almost twenty-five before he had his first serious thought. Up
+to then life had been an enchanted dream. Francis, with his handsome
+face, beautiful courteous manners, and full pockets the centre of it.
+He had seen life outside Assisi, for he had fought for his country and
+suffered imprisonment. He had travelled a little, was fairly well
+educated, and what was rare in those days spoke and sang in the French
+language. Of God he seems to have had no knowledge whatever. His
+kindly, polite nature led him to much almsgiving, but that was merely
+the outcome of a disposition which hated to see suffering.
+
+Francis' lack of religion is not much to be wondered at when we look
+at the state of the church in his time. Christianity had become old,
+its first freshness had worn off, and its primitive teaching had
+fallen into decay. A Christian's life was an easy one, and the service
+rendered was more of church-going and almsgiving, than purity of heart
+and life. In many instances those who filled the office of teacher and
+preacher were corrupt, and lived only for themselves, and the whole
+tendency of the times was to the most extreme laxity.
+
+When almost twenty-five years old, Francis had a very severe illness.
+For weeks he lay at death's door, and for weeks after all danger was
+passed, he was confined to the house too weak to move. As his weary
+convalescence dragged itself along, one absorbing desire filled his
+mind. If only he could get out of doors, and stand once again in the
+sunshine, and feast his eyes on the landscape below him! Francis, like
+all Italians, was a passionate lover of his native country, and at
+last, one day, he wearily and painfully crawled out.
+
+[Sidenote: _Things that Perish._]
+
+But what was the matter? The sunshine was there. It flooded the
+country. The breeze that was to bring him new life and vigor played
+among his chestnut curls. The mountains towered in their noble
+grandeur. The wide Umbrian plain lay stretched out at his feet. The
+skies were as blue, and the flowers as gay and sweet, as ever his
+fancy painted them. But the young man turned away with a sickening
+sense of disappointment and failure.
+
+"Things that perish," he said mournfully to himself, and thought
+bitterly of his past life with its gaiety and frivolity. It, too, was
+among the "things that perish." Life was a dreary emptiness.
+
+It was the old, old story. "Thou hast made us for Thyself, oh God, and
+the heart is restless till it finds its rest in Thee." That tide which
+flows at least once in the life of every human being was surging round
+Francis. Happy they who, leaving all else, cast themselves into the
+infinite ocean of the Divine will and design.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+A CHANGE.
+
+    "In this easy, painless life,
+    Free from struggle, care, and strife,
+    Ever on my doubting breast,
+    Lies the shadow of unrest;
+    This no path that Jesus trod--
+    Can the smooth way lead to God?"
+
+
+As health returned, Francis determined that he would no longer waste
+his life. He had spent a quarter of a century in ease, and pleasure,
+and amusement. Now, some way or other, there should be a change.
+Religion to Francis meant acting up to all the duties of his church.
+This he had already done, and not for a moment did he dream that there
+was in what he called "religion" any balm for a sore and wounded
+spirit. It never occurred to him to seek in prayer the mind of the
+Lord concerning his future. Oh, no, it was many a long day before
+Francis knew the real meaning of the word prayer. He was convinced of
+his wrong, and determined to right it. That was as far as he had got.
+What to do was now the great question.
+
+Just about this time, a nobleman of Assisi, Walter of Brienne, was
+about to start for Apulia, to take part in a war which was going on
+there. All at once it occurred to Francis that he would go too. He was
+naturally courageous, and visions filled his mind of the deeds he
+would do, and the honours that would be bestowed upon him.
+
+He hastened at once to the nobleman and begged to be allowed to
+accompany him. Permission was granted, and Francis set about getting
+his outfit ready. His rich costume was far more splendid than that of
+Walter himself, and the trappings of his horse and his general
+accoutrements were all in keeping, so that altogether Francis was a
+very magnificent personage indeed!
+
+[Sidenote: _A Voice._]
+
+A few nights before he started, he dreamed a strange dream. He was
+sleeping, and he thought somebody called him out of his sleep.
+
+"Francis, Francis," said a voice.
+
+Then it seemed to Francis that he awoke and found himself in a vast
+armoury. All around him hung shields and spears and swords, and
+weapons of all kinds. But the most curious part of it was that each
+weapon was marked with a cross. In his heart he wondered what it could
+all mean, and as he was wondering, the voice answered his thoughts.
+
+"These are for thee and for thy followers," it said, and then Francis
+awoke.
+
+It was an age when dreams were counted of much importance, and Francis
+rejoiced over this of his. Heaven, he said to himself, had smiled upon
+his enterprise. God had undertaken to lead him by the hand, and to
+what heights could he not aspire! Dreams of earthly honor and
+distinction floated through his brain as he dressed, and when he went
+downstairs everybody asked what made him look so radiant.
+
+"I have the certainty of becoming a great prince," he answered.
+
+Yes, truly, he was to be a prince among men! Could he have seen then
+the rough road that God was preparing for him, would he have drawn
+back? Happily for us, we live a day at a time, and further than that
+our eyes are holden.
+
+With a great deal of pomp and display, at the appointed time Francis
+mounted his horse and set off. But his journey was a short one. About
+thirty miles from Assisi he was taken ill with an attack of his
+life-long enemy--the fever--and forced to lie by. He chafed a good
+deal at this, and wondered and pondered over the mysterious actions
+of a Providence which had so manifestly sanctioned his expedition.
+
+[Sidenote: _The Master or the Servant?_]
+
+One evening he was lying half unconscious when he thought he heard the
+same voice that spoke to him before he started.
+
+"Francis," it asked, "what could benefit thee most, the Master or the
+servant, the rich man or the poor?"
+
+"The Master and the rich man," answered Francis in wonderment.
+
+"Why, then," went on the voice, "dost thou leave God, Who is the
+Master and rich, for man, who is the servant and poor?"
+
+"Then, Lord, what wilt Thou that I do?" queried Francis.
+
+"Return to thy native town, and it shall be shown thee there what thou
+shalt do," said the voice.
+
+It was characteristic of all Francis' after life that he never stopped
+to query what looked like contradiction of orders, but as soon as ever
+he was well enough he travelled back home again. His ambition for
+future greatness, and earthly distinction and honor, all seemed to be
+lost sight of when the Divine voice spoke. For Francis was convinced
+that God had spoken to him.
+
+It was certainly not easy for a nature like his to return home whence
+a few short days before, he had departed with such pomp and glory. His
+father was not over rejoiced to welcome him back, but his friends, who
+worshipped him, "the flower of Assisi," as they called him, received
+him gladly. Things had been dull without Francis. His merry songs and
+jests were missed at the evening feast. For a time he took up the life
+he had quitted. There was nothing else to do as far as he could see.
+But he was changed. Even his companions were forced to own that. He
+sang, and laughed, and jested as usual, but the heart had gone out of
+his song and laughter, and he was prone to fall into deep fits of
+meditation.
+
+It was a far from satisfactory life. He cared no longer for what was
+once his very existence, and he knew not as yet to what God would have
+him turn. He desired to serve God, and gave himself to almsgiving. He
+made a pilgrimage to Rome, only to be disgusted with the miserable
+offerings put into the treasury by the pilgrims.
+
+[Sidenote: _Conflicts._]
+
+"Is this all they spare to God?" he cried, and pulling out his purse
+flung its contents among the rest.
+
+He was tormented and haunted by recollections of his past mis-spent
+life, and for days he mourned over what was beyond recall.
+
+There was a certain old woman in Assisi, horribly deformed and
+hideously ugly. Francis, with his innate love of the beautiful,
+recoiled in horror every time he met her. She was a nightmare to him,
+and he would go far to avoid seeing her. The devil, who is ever ready
+to work on the weakness of a human soul, used this old woman to
+torture him.
+
+"See," he said, "a picture of what you will become if you persist in
+mortifying yourself, and leading a life devoted to God. You will
+become as ugly and repulsive as that old woman in time."
+
+The bare idea was agonizing to Francis. The old woman turned up
+continually, and seemed to pursue him like a phantom. The temptation
+may seem to stronger souls an ignoble one, but it was an intense and
+severe one to Francis. He conquered by yielding himself up to the will
+of God. He accepted everything--deformity, ugliness, pain--if it were
+God's plan for him. Then and only then had he rest.
+
+As soon as he had given up his warlike ambitions and returned to
+Assisi, he had been in the habit of going off by himself into a cave
+or grotto, and there being alone with his thoughts. Many a conflict
+did that cave see, as Francis with tears and cries entreated the Lord
+to show him how best to employ his life. It was during one of these
+seasons that his spiritual eyes were opened. Hitherto he had followed
+blindly an almost unknown God, but he _had_ followed and sought, and
+the end of his faith was sight.
+
+It came upon him all at once. Christ--His love for the sinner, His love
+for him--Christ, bleeding, dying, suffering, for very love--Christ the
+pure, long-suffering, merciful, patient--Christ the Son of God made Man
+for us. A wave of great joy swept over Francis, and he wept for very
+gladness of heart. Here was his Master, his Lord. He had found Him, and
+henceforth following was easy.
+
+[Sidenote: _The Lepers._]
+
+Not one of the many translations of the life of Francis, omits to
+mention his self-imposed mission to the lepers. Assisi, like most
+foreign towns of the age, was infested with lepers. They were not
+allowed to live in the towns, but had houses (lazaretti) built for
+them quite outside. Francis had a deep-rooted repugnance to a leper,
+and, in passing a lazaretto, always carefully covered up his nose lest
+any bad odour might reach him, and he always rode far away in the
+opposite direction, if he chanced to see one in the plains. Nothing
+shows the change in Francis more than his alteration towards the
+lepers. One day, when out riding, he saw a leper approaching. His
+first instinct was his natural one to get away at once. His second,
+that God required something more of him. Who was he, to loathe and
+avoid a fellow-creature. Riding up to the leper, he dismounted, gave
+him some money, and then without a shudder, kissed the dreadful hand
+held out to him. He had done the impossible, and from this time he
+constantly visited the lazaretti, putting himself in personal contact
+with the lepers, giving them money, and doing all he could to lessen
+their sufferings.
+
+Of this period of his experience he writes long years after:--
+
+"When I was in sin it was very bitter to me to behold lepers, but the
+Lord Himself having led me amongst them, I exercised mercy towards
+them, and when I left them I felt that what had seemed so bitter to me
+was changed into sweetness for my soul and body."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+A LONELY STRUGGLE.
+
+    "Thou must walk on, however man upbraid thee,
+      With Him who trod the winepress all alone:
+    Thou may'st not find one human hand to aid thee,
+      One human soul to comprehend thy own."
+
+
+A rough, stony uphill path, or rather track, under grey-green olive
+trees, leading to a perfect tangle of cypresses and pines. Somewhere
+in the tangle of cypresses almost hidden from sight, lay a dilapidated
+ancient church, which, long ago had been dedicated to the martyr
+Damian. Up this stony track one day, stumbled Francis.
+
+His was now a solitary life. He was a complete puzzle to parents and
+friends, and, indeed to a great extent he was a puzzle to himself. His
+life in his father's house was far from pleasant. Pietro's vanity had
+received a serious blow from what he regarded as his son's "ignominious"
+return to Assisi. He had been more than willing to give him ample means
+for every pleasure, so that he might mingle on an equal footing with the
+young nobles of the land, but to see his money given lavishly to the
+beggars in the street, and the lepers in the lazar-houses was more than
+he could stand. A serious, ever widening breach had formed between
+father and son. Pica, poor woman, knew that, sooner or later, a rupture
+would come, and much as she loved her strange son, she could do nothing
+to prevent it. There was literally no one who could comprehend Francis,
+much less render him any spiritual aid. One faithful companion there had
+been, who used to follow him round into the woods when he went to pray,
+and stand at the doors of caves and grottos until his season of
+meditation was over, but after a time, this friend had been obliged to
+leave him. Francis tried timidly to tell people a little of what God was
+dimly revealing to him, but his--to them--vague ideas only resulted in
+mocking smiles, and assurances that he was rapidly becoming stark,
+staring mad! So had things come about, that in spite of himself, Francis
+was thrown entirely and solely upon his new found Lord.
+
+[Sidenote: _A Prayer and its Answer._]
+
+The cross lay heavy upon him that day, as he stumbled up the tiny
+olive-shaded path, and lit upon the almost ruined church. This was a
+direction Francis seldom walked in, but to-day he had been so occupied
+with his thoughts, that he scarcely knew where he was going. Seeing
+the church, he passed in and knelt to pray.
+
+"Great and glorious God," was his prayer; "and Thou, Lord Jesus, I
+pray Thee, shed abroad Thy light in the darkness of my mind. Be found
+of me, Lord, so that in all things I may act only in accordance with
+Thy holy will."
+
+As he prayed, little by little a sense of peace, and a new feeling of
+acceptance took possession of him. He had known before that God had
+pardoned him for the past, and was keeping him in the midst of trials
+and hourly temptations, but this was something quite different. Jesus
+accepted him, individually, his body as well as his soul, his time,
+talents, all his being, and desired his labour and assistance. The
+poor, lonely, crushed heart, was filled to overflowing. He was
+conscious of a distinct union with Christ. From this time forth, he
+was to know what it meant to be crucified with Christ--to die daily.
+
+As he knelt there among the ruins and decay, it seemed to him that a
+voice spoke to his soul thus--
+
+"Francis, dost thou see how my house is falling into ruins? Go and set
+thyself to repair it."
+
+"Most willingly, Lord," he answered, hardly knowing what he said.
+
+[Sidenote: _For the Benefit of St. Damian's._]
+
+Now, respecting the incidents we are about to relate, there are many
+and various theories. Some say the revelation made to Francis,
+referred to the spiritual work to which he had not as yet received
+his call, others there are, who blame him and call him rash and
+hot-headed, and accuse him of running before he was sent. We are not
+prepared to give judgment one way or the other. God has not promised
+us that we shall never make mistakes, and if Francis made a mistake,
+God certainly over-ruled it, and made it work to His glory, as He has
+promised "all things" to work for those who love Him. Again, God has
+His own ways of working, mysterious and curious though they often seem
+to us, and what looks like "the foolishness of men," often redounds to
+His greatest praise. But to return to what really happened.
+
+Francis rose from his knees, and sought the priest who had charge of
+St. Damian's. He pressed all the money he had about him into his
+hands, begged him to buy oil and keep the lamp always burning, then
+rushed off home. Saddling his horse, he loaded it with the most costly
+stuffs he could find, and rode off into a neighbouring town, where
+they found a ready market, and realized a goodly sum. When his stuff
+was all sold, he disposed of his horse too, and returning on foot to
+St. Damian's, he placed a well-filled purse in the priest's hands,
+told him with much satisfaction what he had done, and begged him to
+have the church restored at once. To his utter consternation, the
+priest refused, saying he dare not take so large a sum unless Pietro
+Bernardone approved.
+
+Poor Francis was in despair. He flung the money on a window seat in
+disgust, and begged the priest at least to give him a shelter for a
+few days. That much bewildered man, hardly knowing what to say or do,
+consented, and Francis took up his abode with him.
+
+But not for long. Pietro, when he found his son did not return home as
+usual, made enquiries and found where he was located. He was very
+anxious and uneasy, as he was sure now that his son was afflicted by a
+religious mania, he would have to renounce all the high hopes he had
+formed for him. However, he resolved to make a determined effort to
+recover him, and set out with a large party of friends to storm St.
+Damian's. They hoped that Francis would listen to reason, and consent
+to follow them back quietly to Assisi.
+
+[Sidenote: _A Lonely Struggle._]
+
+But Francis never waited to receive them. An uncontrollable fear took
+possession of him, and he fled and hid himself in a cavern he alone
+knew of. His father's party ransacked the priest's abode, and all the
+country round, but they had to return home baffled.
+
+For a month, Francis remained shut up in the cavern. An old servant
+who loved him dearly, was let into the secret, and used to bring him
+food. During this month he suffered intensely. It was the first time
+in his life he had ever suffered contradiction--the first time in his
+life he had ever had anyone really, openly opposed to him. To be sure,
+people did not understand him, but they had never shown him any
+animosity. A sense of utter failure oppressed him. It was a hard trial
+to one of his temperament, and if his consecration had not been very
+real, he would never have stood the test.
+
+He wept and prayed, and confessed his utter nothingness, his weakness,
+his inability to accomplish anything of himself. Never in his life had
+he felt weak and incapable before. Then humbly he entreated that God
+would enable him to accomplish His will, and not permit his incapacity
+to frustrate God's designs for him. A consciousness of Divine strength
+was manifested to him as never before. It was as if a voice said, "I
+will be with thee, fear not." Strengthened with a strength he never
+knew heretofore, he came out of the cavern and made straight for his
+father's house.
+
+That day as Pietro Bernardone sat at work indoors, the voice of a
+mighty tumult was borne in to him. Such a clamour, and yelling, and
+shouting he never had heard in Assisi in all his time! Rushing
+upstairs he looked out of the window. It seemed as though the entire
+populace had turned loose, and were buffeting someone in their midst.
+
+"A madman, a madman," yelled the crowd, and sticks and stones and mud
+flew from all sides.
+
+"A madman, a madman," echoed the children.
+
+Determined not to lose the fun, Pietro hastened out into the street,
+joined the crowd, and discovered that his son Francis was the madman
+in question! With a howl of rage, he rushed upon him, dragged him into
+the house with oaths and blows, and locked him up in a sort of
+dungeon.
+
+During the succeeding days, he and his wife did all they could to
+persuade Francis to return to his old mode of life. Pietro entreated
+and threatened, Pica wept and caressed, but all in vain.
+
+[Sidenote: _A Command from God._]
+
+"I have received a command from God," was their answer, and "I mean to
+carry it out."
+
+At last, after some time, Pietro being absent for several days on
+business, Pica unlocked the dungeon and let her son go free.
+
+When Pietro returned, he cursed his wife and set off to St. Damian's
+to fetch Francis back. But Francis declined to go. He said that he
+feared neither blows nor chains, but God had given him a work to do,
+and nothing, nor nobody would prevent him carrying out that mission.
+Pietro was struck by his son's coolness, and seeing that force would
+be no use, he went to the magistrates and lodged a complaint against
+his son, desiring the magistrates to recover the money that his son
+had given to the church, and to oblige him to renounce in legal form
+all rights of inheritance. The magistrates seem to have been much
+shocked at Pietro's harshness, but they summoned Francis, who would
+not appear. When asked to use violence, they said--
+
+"No, since your son has entered God's service, we have nothing to do
+with his actions," and utterly refused to have anything further to do
+with the case.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+VICTORY WITHOUT AND WITHIN.
+
+    "For poverty and self-renunciation
+      The Father yieldeth back a thousand-fold;
+    In the calm stillness of regeneration,
+      Cometh a joy we never knew of old."
+
+
+Pietro was not avaricious. He cared nothing for the money as money.
+His plan now was to cut off all supplies, and when his son, who had
+always been accustomed to the daintiest and softest of living, and was
+in no way inured to hardship, found that he was now literally a
+beggar, he would, after a little privation, come to his senses, and
+sue his father for pardon. This was his idea when he sought the bishop
+and made his complaint to him. The bishop called Francis to appear
+before him.
+
+On the appointed day he appeared with his father. The venerable
+bishop, who was a man of great good sense and wisdom, heard all there
+was to hear, and then turning to the young man, he said--
+
+"My son, thy father is greatly incensed against thee. If thou desirest
+to consecrate thyself to God, restore to him all that is his."
+
+He went on to say that the money was not really Francis', and
+therefore he had no right to give away what was not his, besides God
+would never accept money that was an occasion of sin between father
+and son. Then Francis rose and said--
+
+"My lord, I will give back everything to my father, even the clothes I
+have had from him!"
+
+Returning into a neighbouring room, he stripped off all his rich
+garments, and clad only in a hair under-garment, laid them and the
+purse of money at his father's feet.
+
+[Sidenote: _One Father._]
+
+"Now," he cried, "I have but one father, henceforth I can say in all
+truth 'Our Father who art in Heaven!'"
+
+There was a moment of dead silence. Everybody present was too
+astonished to speak, then Pietro gathered up the garments and money,
+and withdrew. A murmur of pity swept through the crowd as they looked
+at the young man standing half-naked before the tribunal. But no
+sentiments of pity stirred Pietro. Easy and good-natured when things
+went according to his liking, he was equally hard and unbending if his
+will was crossed. It was to him a rude awakening out of a glorious,
+golden dream, and from his standpoint life looked hard.
+
+When Pietro departed the old bishop threw his own mantle round the
+young man's shoulders, and sent out for some suitable garment.
+Nothing, however, was forthcoming except a peasant's cloak belonging
+to one of the gardeners. This Francis gladly put on and passed out of
+the bishop's hall--a homeless wanderer on the face of the earth.
+
+He was not inclined to return to St. Damian's at once. He desired
+solitude, so he plunged into the woods. As he travelled he sang with
+all his might praises to God in the French tongue. His singing
+attracted the notice of some robbers who were hidden in the fastness
+of the woods. They sprang out and seized him, demanding--
+
+"Who are you?"
+
+Francis always courteous replied,
+
+"I am the herald of the Great King. But what does that concern you?"
+
+The robbers laughed at him for a madman, and after they had made game
+of him for a time, they tore his garment from his back, and tossing him
+into a deep ditch where a quantity of snow still lay, they made off
+crying,
+
+"Lie there, you poor herald of the Good God!"
+
+When they had disappeared Francis scrambled out stiff with cold and
+clad only in his one garment, and went on his way singing as before.
+
+[Sidenote: _Kitchen Assistant._]
+
+Happily his wanderings speedily brought him to a monastery among the
+mountains. He knocked at the door and begged for help. The monks
+regarded this strange half-naked applicant with much suspicion, and
+one can hardly blame them. Nevertheless they received him, and gave
+him employment in their kitchen as assistant to the cook, to do the
+rough and heavy work. His food was of the commonest and coarsest, and
+it never seemed to occur to any of them that he would be the better
+for a few more clothes. When his solitary garment appeared in imminent
+danger of dropping to pieces he left the monastery and went on a
+little further to a neighbouring town where a friend of his lived. He
+made his way to this friend and asked him out of charity to provide
+him with a worn garment to cover his nakedness. The case was
+manifestly an urgent one, and the friend bestowed upon him a suit of
+clothes consisting of a tunic, leather belt, shoes, and a stick. It
+was very much the kind of costume then worn by the hermits.
+
+From here he started back again to St. Damian's. He stopped on his way
+to visit a lazar-house, and help in the care of the lepers. He had
+quite gotten over all his early antipathies, and it was a joy to him
+now to minister to those poor diseased ones. Probably he would have
+spent a much longer season here if it were not that again he seemed to
+hear the same voice calling him to repair the ruined church. So he
+left the lazar-house and proceeded on his way. He told his friend the
+priest that he was in no way disappointed or cast down, and that he
+had good reason to believe that he would be able to accomplish his
+purpose.
+
+There was only one way in which he could attain this end. Money he had
+none, neither did he know of anyone who loved God and His cause well
+enough to expend a little of their riches in rebuilding His house.
+Next day saw him at work. Up and down the streets of his native town
+he went begging for stones to rebuild St. Damian.
+
+"He who gives me one stone shall receive one blessing, he who gives me
+two will have two blessings, and he who gives me three, three
+blessings."
+
+[Sidenote: "_He is quite Mad._"]
+
+The people were unable to do anything at first from pure
+astonishment. Francis Bernardone, the gay cavalier, the leader of
+feasts and song, sueing in the streets like a common beggar! They
+could hardly believe their eyes! "Truly the fellow was mad," they said
+to each other! But he did not look mad. His smile was as sweet as
+ever, and the native, polished, courtly manners that had won for him
+so many friends, now that they were sanctified, were doubly winning.
+It was impossible to resist him, and stones were brought him in
+quantities. Load after load, interminable loads he bore on his back
+like a labourer to St. Damian. Up the steep little path he toiled
+between the grey-green olives, on and into the tangle of cypress and
+pine, and there stone by stone with his own hands he repaired the
+crumbling walls. It was a long wearisome toilsome work, and told
+considerably on his health.
+
+"He is _quite_ mad," reiterated some as the days passed from spring to
+summer, and from summer to autumn and from autumn into winter again.
+But there were others who watched him with tears in their eyes. _They_
+knew he was not mad. They realized that a great power had changed the
+once refined man into a servant of all--even the constraining power of
+the love of Christ, and they shed tears when they thought how far they
+came short.
+
+The priest of St. Damian's was deeply touched at Francis'
+self-sacrificing work, and often grieved when he saw him doing what he
+was physically so unfitted for. He conceived a violent admiration for
+his young lodger, and in spite of his poverty he always contrived to
+have some dainty dish, or tit-bit for him when he returned to meals.
+Now Francis always had been particular as to his food, he liked it
+well served, and he was also very fond of all kinds of sweets and
+confectionery. For a time he thanked his friend and ate gratefully the
+pleasant dishes he had provided. One day as he sat at dinner the
+thought came to him "what should I do if I had nobody to provide my
+meals." Then he saw for the first time that he was still under bondage
+to his appetite. He enjoyed nice food, it seemed necessary to him--but
+was it like that Life he so earnestly strove to copy. Francis sat
+condemned. The next moment he jumped up and seizing a wooden bowl he
+went round the streets from door to door begging for scraps of broken
+meat and bread. The people stared harder than ever, but in a little
+time his bowl was quite full, and he returned home and sat down to eat
+his rations.
+
+[Sidenote: _A Beggar._]
+
+He tried hard, but he turned against them with loathing. In all his
+life he thought he had never seen such a horrid collection! Then,
+lifting his heart to God, he made another trial and tasted the food.
+Lo and behold it was not bad, and as he continued his coarse meal he
+thought that no dish had ever tasted better! Praising God for victory
+he went to the priest and told him that he would be no further expense
+to him, from henceforth he would beg his meals.
+
+When Pietro heard that his son had added to his eccentricities by
+begging for his food his anger knew no bounds! When he met him in the
+streets he blushed with shame, and often cursed him. But if his family
+were ashamed of him, there were many among the townsfolk with whom he
+found sympathy. Help came in on all sides, and at last the walls were
+repaired, and the church was no longer in danger of tumbling into a
+mass of ruins. What was needed for the inside was got in the same way
+as the stones, and pretty soon a congregation was forthcoming.
+
+One of the hardest sacrifices God required from Francis connected with
+this work was one evening when he was out begging from house to house
+for oil to light the church. He came to a house where an entertainment
+was going on, a feast very similar to those he had so often presided
+over in his worldly days. He looked down on his poor common dress, and
+thought with shame what a figure he would cut among the gay,
+well-dressed crowd within. For a moment he felt tempted to skip this
+house. But it was only for a moment; reproaching himself bitterly, he
+pushed in and standing before the festive gathering, told them simply
+how much he had objected to coming in, and for what reason, adding
+that he feared his timidity was counted to him as sin, because he was
+working in God's name, and in His service. His request was taken in
+good part, and his words so touched all present that they were eager
+to give him the aid he sought.
+
+[Sidenote: _St. Damian's Finished._]
+
+After St. Damian's was quite restored, Francis set to work and did the
+same for two other equally needy churches in the vicinity. One was St.
+Peter's, and the other St. Mary's or the Portiuncula. The second one
+became eventually the cradle of the Franciscan movement. Here he built
+for himself a cell, where he used to come to pour out his soul in
+prayer. When his work of repairing came to an end, he gave himself up
+to meditation, his whole idea being that he would henceforth lead the
+life of a recluse. But God disposed!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+FRANCIS' CALL.
+
+    "Oh, my Lord, the Crucified,
+    Who for love of me hast died,
+    Mould me by Thy living breath,
+    To the likeness of Thy death,
+    While the thorns Thy brows entwine,
+    Let no flower wreath rest on mine."
+
+
+But Francis kept a listening ear. God's word was his law, and though
+he to a certain extent planned what he would do next, yet he left
+himself entirely free in his Lord's hands, and at His disposal. Had he
+not remained in this attitude of soul, or had he become wise in his
+own conceits, or failed to keep his heart and soul fresh with the
+first vital freshness of regeneration, what would have become of the
+great Franciscan movement that was destined ultimately to stir the
+world? God alone knows. _He_ keeps count of lost opportunities, calls
+neglected, soul stirrings lulled to barren fruitless slumber!
+
+The natural tendency of a soul which has been awakened to great
+action, and accomplished daring feats, is--the first strain passed--to
+relax, or settle down. It is only the minority that struggle and fight
+and get the victory over this subtle temptation. The same principle
+applies in a larger scale, and that is why it is so many glorious
+religious movements have run a course and then dwindled into
+mediocrity, the later disciples carving for themselves a medium way.
+
+Francis' life-work might easily have dwindled into nothing just here.
+He had not the least intimation that the Lord demanded anything more
+of him but that he should love and serve Him all the days of his life,
+in an ordinary unobtrusive manner. Two years had been spent in
+repairing the churches, and Francis was now between twenty-seven and
+twenty-eight years of age.
+
+[Sidenote: _His Commission._]
+
+It was on the twenty-fourth of February in the year 1209 that he
+received his call to direct spiritual work. That morning he went to
+church as usual, and the words of the Gospel for the day came to him
+direct from Jesus Christ Himself.
+
+"Wherever ye go preach, saying, 'The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
+Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. Freely ye have
+received, freely give. Provide neither silver nor gold nor brass in
+your purses, neither scrip, nor two coats, nor shoes, nor staff, for
+the laborer is worthy of his hire.'"
+
+These words were a revelation.
+
+"This is what I want," cried Francis, as he left the church, conscious
+for the first time that he had wanted something. "This is what I have
+long been seeking, from this day forth I shall set myself with all my
+strength to put it in practice."
+
+Immediately he took up his new commission. He threw away his shoes,
+his stick, his purse, and put on the coarse dress of the peasant of
+the Apennines, and girded it with a rough piece of rope, the first
+thing he could find. Thus equipped, he set out a true Knight of our
+Lord Jesus Christ, and for the first time in his life began to talk to
+the people he met about their souls. That eloquent fiery tongue, that
+was destined to make him one of the orators of the age, had not yet
+become unloosed, and Francis was simplicity itself. Indeed, he did not
+at first attempt to make anything like a speech or sermon. His efforts
+were directed towards people whom he was acquainted with, and these he
+urged to repent in the name of the Lord. He told his own experience,
+and spoke of the shortness of life, of punishment after death, of the
+need of heart and life holiness. His halting words struck home, they
+pierced like a sword, and many thus convicted, repented and turned
+from their evil ways.
+
+[Sidenote: _A Sanctified Leader of Men._]
+
+For over two years now, Francis had lived a solitary, and--humanly
+speaking--a lonely life. He had, however, during that time proved the
+sufficiency of God. We do not read that he ever longed for a human
+friend, one that could understand and sympathise with him, so richly
+had God supplied his every need. But the time had come when his
+solitude was to end. God was about to raise him up friends. Again he
+was to take up his old position as a leader of men, only a sanctified
+one.
+
+Bernardo di Quintavelle was a man of birth and position. He was a few
+years older than Francis, and as he lived in Assisi, he had full
+opportunity of watching all Francis' vagaries, for so his actions
+looked to him at first. However, as time passed, and Francis' supposed
+mania failed to develop into anything very dangerous, Bernardo puzzled
+and wondered. What was it, he asked himself, that had so completely
+changed the gay, frivolous, ease-loving Francis Bernardone, into a
+poor hard-working beggar? Was he really as good and holy as the common
+people began to whisper to themselves? We must bear in mind that vital
+religion in Assisi was at its lowest ebb, and the kind that worked
+itself out in daily life and action almost unknown.
+
+Pretty soon Bernardo determined to study Francis close to. Again and
+again he invited him to his house, and the more he saw of the
+gracious, humble, God-fearing, Francis, the more he liked him. One
+night he asked him to stay till the next day, and Francis consenting,
+he had a bed made up for him in his own room. They retired. In a short
+time Bernardo was, to all appearances, extremely sound asleep. Then
+Francis rose from his bed, and kneeling down began to pray. A deep
+sense of the Divine presence overflowed him, and he could do nothing
+but weep and cry, "Oh, my God, oh, my God!" He continued all night
+praying, and weeping before the Lord.
+
+[Sidenote: _Bernardo._]
+
+Now Bernardo, who was only pretending to be asleep in order to see
+what Francis would do, was greatly touched. God visited him too that
+night, and spoke to his soul so loudly and clearly that he dare not do
+ought but follow the light that that night began to glimmer on his
+future path. Little he thought into what a large place it would
+ultimately lead him.
+
+Next morning, true to his new-born inspiration, he said to Francis--
+
+"I am disposed in my heart to leave the world and obey thee in all
+that thou shalt command me."
+
+To say that Francis was surprised is to say too little! He was
+astonished--so astonished that it was difficult to find words in which
+to answer. That the people he influenced would rise up and desire to
+share his life, with its privations, and eccentricities had never as
+yet occurred to him. His sole and only aim had been that his every
+individual act and thought should be in conformity to that of our Lord
+Jesus Christ. But "I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto Me,"
+and Francis, by his humble life and work, had brought that Blessed
+Life wherever he went. This is the Divine design for every faithful
+soul that seeks to truly follow its Master. The man who could live and
+spread holiness as an ordinary day-laborer and stone-mason was now to
+receive a greater charge. As soon as he recovered from the first
+surprise of Bernardo's statement, he said--
+
+"Bernardo, a resolution such as the one thou speakest of is so
+difficult, and so great an action, that we must take counsel of the
+Lord Jesus, and pray Him that He may point out His will, and teach us
+to follow it."
+
+So they set off together for the church. While on their way there that
+morning they were joined by another brother called Pietro, who said
+that he too had been told of God to join Francis. So the three went
+together to read the Gospels and pray for light.
+
+Francis was soon convinced that Bernardo and Pietro were led of God,
+and joyfully welcomed them as his fellow-laborers. They took up their
+abode in a deserted mud hut, close by a river known as the Riva Torto.
+And that mean little hut was the cradle which contained the beginning
+of a work that spread itself into every quarter of the globe.
+
+[Sidenote: _Egidio._]
+
+"Francis," said Bernardo, a little later, "What wouldst thou do
+supposing a great king had given thee possessions for which thou
+afterwards hadst no use?"
+
+"Why, give them back to be sure," answered Francis.
+
+"Then," said Bernardo, "I will that I sell all my possessions, and
+give the money to the poor."
+
+So he did. Land, houses, all that he possessed he sold, and
+distributed the proceeds to the poor in the market-place. One can
+easily imagine the sensation this caused in Assisi, and how almost the
+entire population thronged to the spot!
+
+The news of this day's doings spread into all the country-side. In a
+town not far from Assisi, a certain young man, called Egidio, listened
+intently while his father and mother discussed Bernardo and Francis
+and went into their history past and present, and speculated on their
+future. Little they thought as they talked that their cultured,
+refined son was drinking in every word, and that his soul was being
+strangely stirred. Before the week was out, Egidio had received the
+Divine touch that fitted him to respond to the call--"Follow Me." In
+the marvellously colored dawn of an Italian morning, Egidio rose and
+"followed."
+
+Arriving in Assisi at a crossway he was at a standstill. Where should
+he look for Francis? Which of those roads should he take? While he
+thus alternately debated with himself, and prayed for guidance, who
+should he see coming along out of the forest where he had been to
+pray, but Francis himself! There was no mistaking that curious
+bare-footed figure, with its coarse robe of the color known to the
+peasants as "beast" color, girded with a knotted rope! Egidio threw
+himself at Francis' feet, and besought him to receive him for the love
+of God.
+
+"Dear brother," said Francis, who during the past week had learned not
+to be surprised when he received candidates for his work. "Dear
+brother, God hath conferred a great grace upon thee! If the Emperor
+were to come to Assisi and propose to make one of its citizens his
+knight or secret chamberlain, would not such an offer be joyfully
+accepted as a great mark of honor and distinction? How much more
+shouldst thou rejoice that God hath called thee to be His Knight and
+chosen servant, to observe the perfection of His Holy Gospel!
+Therefore do thou stand firm in the vocation to which God hath called
+thee."
+
+[Sidenote: _First Apostolic Tour._]
+
+So bringing him into the hut Francis called the others and said--
+
+"God has sent us a good brother, let us therefore rejoice in the Lord
+and eat together in charity."
+
+After they had eaten breakfast Francis took Egidio into Assisi to get
+cloth to make him a "beast-colored" uniform robe like the others. On
+the way Francis thought he would like to try the young man and see
+what kind of a spirit he had. So upon meeting a poor woman, who asked
+them for money, Francis said to Egidio--
+
+"I pray you, as we have no money, give this poor woman your cloak."
+
+Immediately and joyfully Egidio pulled off his rich mantle and handed
+it to the beggar, whereat Francis rejoiced much in secret.
+
+It was a united household that assembled under the rude roof of the
+mud hut by the Riva Torto. Four young men bound together in love, and
+resolved to serve God absolutely in whatever way He should show them,
+we shall see, ere long, how God used these human instruments which
+were so unreservedly placed at His disposal. They were very happy for
+a few days, and gave themselves up almost entirely to prayer; then
+Francis led them into the seclusion of the woods and explained to them
+how the Divine will had manifested itself to his soul.
+
+"We must," he said, "clearly understand our vocation. It is not for
+our personal salvation only, but for the salvation of a great many
+others that God has mercifully called us. He wishes us to go through
+the world, and by example even more than by words, exhort men to
+repentance, and the keeping of the commandments." Bernardo, Pietro and
+Egidio declared that they were willing for anything, and so the four
+separated, two by two, for a preaching tour. Of Bernardo and Pietro
+history is silent, but nothing could have been more simple than the
+Apostolic wanderings of Francis and Egidio in the Marches of Ancona.
+Along the roads they went wherever the Spirit of God led them singing
+songs of God and Heaven. Their songs together with their happy
+countenances and strange costume, naturally attracted the people, and
+when a number would collect to stare at them, Francis would address
+them, and Egidio, with charming simplicity accentuated all he said
+with--
+
+[Sidenote: _A Sermonette._]
+
+"You must believe what my brother Francis tells you, the advice he
+gives you is very good." But don't for a moment imagine that Francis
+was capable of giving an address. Far from it; he was, truth to say,
+very little in advance of Egidio, the burden of his cry being--
+
+"Love God, fear Him, repent and you shall be forgiven;" then when
+Egidio had chorused,
+
+"Do as my brother Francis tells you, the advice he gives you is very
+good," the two missionaries passed singing on their way!
+
+But the impression produced was far beyond their simple words. The
+religious history of the times tells us that the love of God was
+almost dead in men's hearts, that the world had forgotten the meaning
+of the word repentance, and was entirely given up to lust and vice and
+pleasure. People asked each other what could be the object these men
+had in view. Why did they go about roughly-clad, bare-foot, and eating
+so little. "They are madmen" some said. Others "Madmen could not talk
+so wisely." Others again, more thoughtful, said, "They seem to care so
+little for life, they are desperate, and must be either mad, or else
+they are aspiring to very great perfection!"
+
+When the four had been through almost all the Province they returned
+to Riva Torto, where they found three new candidates clamoring for
+admission. Others followed, and when the numbers had increased to
+about eight, Francis led them to a spot where four roads met, and sent
+them out two and two to the four points of the compass to preach the
+Gospel. Everywhere they went they were to urge men to repentance, and
+point them to a Saviour who could forgive sins. They were to accept no
+food they had not either worked for, or received as alms for the love
+of Christ.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+FRANCIS' EARLY DISCIPLES.
+
+    'Then forth they went....
+    Content for evermore to follow him. In weariness,
+    In painfulness, in perils by the way,
+    Through awful vigils in the wilderness,
+    Through storms of trouble, hatred and reproach.'
+
+
+Bernardo di Quintavelle is perhaps the most important of these first
+followers, inasmuch as he ultimately took his place as Leader of the
+Order of Friars minor, which was the name the Franciscans first gave
+themselves. We have already told how Bernardo came to join Francis,
+and take upon himself the same vows. From that day his faith and trust
+in God and His call to him never wavered. That was the secret of his
+tremendous strength of soul. The strength of a man who is sure of his
+call and its divinity is as the strength of ten.
+
+It was Bernardo whom Francis deputed in the early days of the work to
+go to Bologna, and labor there. Bologna was the centre of the
+universe, as far as learning and culture went, to the Italians of that
+day. As soon as Bernardo and his followers showed themselves in the
+town, the children, seeing them dressed so plainly and poorly, laughed
+and scoffed, and threw dirt and stones at them. They accepted these
+trials manfully, and made their way to the market-place. The children,
+who followed them here continued to pelt them with stones and dust,
+and pulled them round by the hoods of their garments. Day after day,
+and day after day, Bernardo and his little handful returned, though
+they could never get anybody to give them a civil hearing. Poor
+fellows, during those first few days, they all but starved.
+
+[Sidenote: _A Great Saint!_]
+
+There was a doctor of the law, who used to pass round by the
+market-place every day, and seeing Bernardo patiently put up with such
+insult and contempt, wondered much to himself. At last he arrived at a
+conclusion.
+
+"This man must be a great saint."
+
+Going up to him, he said--
+
+"Who art thou, and whence dost thou come?"
+
+Bernardo put his hand into his bosom, and gave him what was then the
+rules of the Order. This was in other words the Divine commission that
+Francis had received through the Gospel for that February day, "Go ye
+forth and preach the gospel, &c."
+
+The doctor read it all through and then, turning to some of his
+friends who were standing by, said--
+
+"Truly, here is the most perfect state of religion I have ever heard
+of; this man and his companions are the holiest men I have ever met
+with in this world! Guilty indeed are those who insult him! We ought,
+on the contrary, to honor him as a true friend of God!"
+
+Then addressing Bernardo, he said--
+
+"If it is thy wish to found a convent in this town, in which thou
+mayst serve God, I will most willingly help thee."
+
+Bernardo thanked him, and said--
+
+"I believe it is our Saviour Jesus Christ who hast I inspired thee
+with this good intention, I most willingly accept the offer, to the
+honor of Christ."
+
+Then the doctor took them home with him and entertained them, and
+presented them with a convenient building, which he furnished at his
+own expense.
+
+In a short time, Bernardo was much sought after, on account of the
+holiness, together with the brilliancy of his sermons. The whole town
+was at his feet, people came from far and near to hear him, and
+thousands were converted.
+
+When things were at a height, Bernardo turned up unexpectedly one day
+in Assisi, and presented himself before the astonished gaze of
+Francis.
+
+"The convent is founded at Bologna," he said, "send other brothers
+there to keep it up, I can no longer be of any use; indeed, I fear me
+that the too great honors I receive might make me lose more than I
+could gain."
+
+Francis, who had heard a great deal of the honor and praise that had
+been lavished upon Bernardo, thanked God that He had revealed to him
+the danger his soul was in, and sent someone else to Bologna.
+
+[Sidenote: _Elias._]
+
+In striking contrast to Bernardo was Elias. Elias was quite as clever
+and brilliant a man as Bernardo, but he never seems to have become
+really sanctified. His pride was a constant stumbling-block, and was
+for ever appearing in some new shape or other. Sometimes it would be
+in an over-weening desire to rule, and then his rule would go far and
+beyond that of Francis', in fastings, and similar austerities. Again,
+we have a picture of him arraying himself in a garment of soft cloth,
+which could only be said to be "modelled" after that worn by his
+brethren. Finally, he lapsed altogether, declared that his health was
+too delicate to stand coarse food and plain living, and left the
+Order. For some time he was an open backslider, but it is currently
+supposed he was converted before he died. The story of his life is a
+sad one. Looking back over these lapse of years, one can easily see
+what he might have been, and how painfully he fell short. The grace of
+humility never adorned his character for long. He could not see that
+in God's sight he was less than least, for him it was impossible--
+
+    "To lay his intellectual treasure,
+    At the low footstool of the Crucified."
+
+Egidio always remained faithful to his first trust. He also never
+wavered, never looked back. In the different glimpses we get of his
+life, we see very clearly the mode of living prescribed by Francis.
+His intention was never that his disciples were to live on charity,
+but that they should work for their bread, money being totally
+forbidden. Work brought them down to the level of the common people,
+and on the same plane they could more easily reach their hearts and
+consciences.
+
+[Sidenote: _A Question._]
+
+Egidio, refined and educated though he undoubtedly was, seems to have
+been able to put his hand to anything. When on a pilgrimage to the
+Holy Land, he was detained at Brindisi, he borrowed a water jug, and,
+filling it, went round the town selling water, and crying "Fresh
+water! Fresh water!" like any of the ordinary water-carriers. On his
+way back he procured willows, and made baskets, which he sold to
+supply himself with food. He was always very particular not to take
+more than he considered was fair for his work.
+
+Obedience was another of Egidio's strong points. He believed in his
+call, he believed in Francis, he never questioned an order, even when
+it was manifestly not altogether a wise instruction he received, he
+still considered that "obedience was better than sacrifice."
+
+Masseo appears to have had very little idea what kind of a life he was
+entering upon, when he first joined the band. He was not a spiritual
+man by nature, but by degrees he learned to look at the inside of
+things instead of the outside, and to know a little of the mind of
+God. Masseo was big and handsome, with a decided gift of speech. We
+are told that because of his physical attractions the people always
+gave to him the nicest and daintiest portions of food. It was a matter
+of no little wonderment to him when he discovered that for all a
+certain kind of people were attracted by his appearance, yet he had
+little or no power to convict them of sin, and make them long to be
+good. Francis by this time had lost all his good looks and become pale
+and worn and thin with work. Masseo compared himself with Francis
+greatly to his superior's disadvantage. At last one day he said to
+him--
+
+"Why is it? Why is it?"
+
+"What do you mean?" asked Francis.
+
+"I mean to ask thee," said Masseo, "why all the world goes after thee?
+Why all men wish to see thee, to hear thee, and to obey thy word? Thou
+art not handsome, nor learned, nor of noble birth. How is it then that
+men go after thee?"
+
+The answer which Masseo received, made him see what kind of a
+character he had come in contact with, and from that day there was no
+more faithful and adoring disciple than handsome Masseo.
+
+"Would you know the reason why all men come after me?" asked Francis.
+"It is because the Lord has not found among men, a more wicked, a more
+imperfect, or a greater sinner that I am, and to accomplish the
+wonderful work He intends doing, He has not found a creature more vile
+than I upon earth; for this reason He has chosen me to confound
+beauty, greatness, birth, and all the science of the world, that man
+may learn that every good gift comes from Him, and not from the
+creature, that all may glory in the Lord!"
+
+[Sidenote: _Sylvester's Avarice._]
+
+Sylvester was the first priest who joined Francis. Though a priest, he
+was possessed of very little true religion, and was inclined to be
+somewhat avaricious. When Francis was rebuilding St. Damian, Sylvester
+had sold him some stones, for which he had been well paid. Now, he
+happened to be among the crowd in the market-place when Bernardo was
+distributing his fortune, and it occurred to him that he would get
+some of it for himself. So going up to Francis, he said,
+
+"Brother, you did not pay me very well for the stones which you bought
+of me."
+
+Francis, who had not a spark of avarice in his nature, handed him a
+handful of coins without stopping to count them, saying,
+
+"Here, are you sufficiently paid now?"
+
+"It is enough, my brother," said Sylvester, taking the money and
+moving off.
+
+But from that hour he never knew a moment's peace. His action haunted
+him, he could neither sleep by night nor rest by day. The difference
+between Francis and Bernardo and himself came vividly before him, he
+repented of his sin, and as soon as ever his affairs would
+permit--about a year later--he joined Francis.
+
+There are some historians who declare that Ginepro was mad. The
+majority, however, dispute this, and say that what looked like madness
+was simply zeal--zeal, perhaps untempered with discretion. Ginepro was
+devoted, self-sacrificing and faithful. He mourned over his mistakes,
+and was always ready to acknowledge himself in the wrong. It was with
+the greatest difficulty that he was taught that he mustn't give away
+anything, and everything he could lay hands on. When he saw anyone
+poor or ill-clothed, he would immediately take off his clothes and
+hand them over. He was at last strictly forbidden to do this. A few
+days later, he met a poor man who begged from him.
+
+"I have nothing," said Ginepro, in great compassion, "which I could
+give thee but my tunic, and I am under orders not to give that away.
+But if thou wilt take it off my back I will not resist thee."
+
+No sooner said than done, and Ginepro returned home tunicless. When
+questioned he said--
+
+"A good man took it off my back and went away with it."
+
+It was necessary to clear everything portable out of Ginepro's way,
+because whatever he could lay his hands on he gave to the poor.
+
+[Sidenote: _Almost a Murder._]
+
+His great humility on one occasion nearly led him to the gallows.
+There was a cruel tyrant named Nicolas, a nobleman living near
+Viterbo, whom all the town hated. This man had been warned that
+someone would come in the guise of a poor beggar and take his life.
+Nicolas gave orders that the castle was to be strictly guarded. A few
+days later luckless Ginepro appeared in the vicinity of the castle. On
+the way thither some young men had seized him, torn his cloak, and
+covered him with dust, so that he was a sight to behold for rags and
+dirt! As soon as he came near the castle he was taken as a suspicious
+character and cruelly beaten. He was asked who he was.
+
+"I am a great sinner," was the answer. He certainly looked like a
+ruffian!
+
+When further asked his designs he explained,
+
+"I am a great traitor, and unworthy of any mercy."
+
+Then they asked if he meant to burn the castle and kill Nicolas.
+
+"Worse things than these would I do, only for God," he replied. Such
+a hardened, boldfaced criminal never stood before a bar!
+
+He was taken, tied to a horse's tail, and dragged through the town to
+the gallows. If it had not been for the intervention of a good man in
+the crowd, who knew the friars, he would have been hung.
+
+[Sidenote: _Ginepro's Dinner._]
+
+"Brother Ginepro," said one of the friars one day, "we are all going
+out, and by the time we come back will you have got us a little
+refreshment?"
+
+"Most willingly," said Ginepro, "leave it to me."
+
+Out he went with a sack, and asked food from door to door for his
+brethren. Soon he was well laden and returned home.
+
+"What a pity it is," said Ginepro to himself, as he put on two great
+pots, "that a brother should be lost in the kitchen! I shall cook
+enough dinner to serve us for two weeks to come, and then we'll give
+ourselves to prayer."
+
+So saying, he piled in everything, salt meat, fresh meat, eggs in their
+shells, chickens with the feathers on, and vegetables. One of the friars
+who returned before the others, was amazed to see the two enormous pots
+on a roaring fire with Ginepro poking at them alternately, protected
+from the heat by a board he had fastened round his neck. At last dinner
+was ready, and, pouring it out before the hungry friars, he said
+complacently,
+
+"Eat a good dinner now, and then we'll go to prayer, there'll be no
+more cooking for a long time to come, for I have cooked enough for a
+fortnight."
+
+Alas! one historian informs us, "there was never a hog in the campagna
+of Rome so hungry that he could have eaten it."
+
+But, in spite of all the curious tales we read about the blunderings
+of this simple soul, his name has been handed down through the ages as
+that of a saint; for the highway of holiness is such that a wayfaring
+man, though a fool, shall not err therein.
+
+[Sidenote: _A True Franciscan._]
+
+Leo, whom they called "the little sheep of God," who became Francis'
+secretary, was one of the best loved of the disciples. In Leo,
+Francis' soul found rest and help and comfort. His nature was simple,
+affectionate and refined, and in every respect he was a true
+Franciscan.
+
+There are others whose names we find among the early Franciscans, but
+the foregoing are those who stand out most prominently.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+FRANCIS--CALLED TO BE A SAINT.
+
+    "God's interpreter art thou,
+     To the waiting ones below
+     'Twixt them and its light midway
+     Heralding the better day."
+
+
+We have seen Francis as a young man, gay, careless, pleasure loving,
+kind-hearted, a leader at every feast and revel, known to his
+companions as a thorough good fellow. We have watched the first
+strivings of the Holy Spirit in his soul, and marked his earnest
+attempts to follow the light that then began to penetrate his hitherto
+dark soul. We have followed that glimmering light with him, step by
+step, seen him persecuted, mocked, stoned, beaten, watched his lonely
+wilderness wrestlings when there was no human eye to pity, no human
+arm to succour. We have seen, too, how, little by little, this thorny
+pathway led to a closer and more intimate acquaintance with God, for
+which acquaintance Francis counted his sufferings as nothing, and the
+world well lost.
+
+[Sidenote: _"Saint" Francis._]
+
+Francis was not an extraordinary character in any sense of the word. He
+was what he was simply and solely by the grace of God, which is ever
+free for all men. He was not a man created for the hour. He was a
+vessel, cleansed and emptied, and thus fit for the Master's use, and God
+used him, as He always uses such vessels. The whole secret of his
+sainthood lay in his simple, loving, implicit obedience. Not the
+lifeless obedience that one renders to inexorable law, but the
+heart-felt, passionate desire to serve, and to anticipate the lightest
+want of the One Object of the affections! That baptism of personal love
+for God and union with Christ was poured out upon Francis in the black
+hour of what looked to him complete failure; when hunted and pursued, he
+sought refuge from his angry friends in the caves of the earth. The gift
+that he then received he never ceased to guard and cherish, and other
+blessings were added to it, for God has promised, "To him that hath it
+shall be given." And God gave liberally, good measure, pressed down, and
+running over. But the gifts which were Francis are ours too, by right of
+grace Divine--to be had for the faithful seeking, and kept by pure,
+faithful, and obedient living--"Called to be saints." The few? One here
+and there in every century? Oh, no. "Called to be saints," are the
+myriad souls who have received the Divine touch of regeneration. This is
+the calling and election of the redeemed; but oh, how few there are that
+make them _sure_!
+
+Five years had now elapsed since that spring morning, when, weak and
+ill from fever, Francis dragged himself out of doors, to look again on
+the glorious landscape that he thought would bring him health and
+healing. The story of his disappointment we have already told. During
+those five years Francis made gigantic strides in heavenly wisdom and
+knowledge, and we feel that we cannot do better than to pause in our
+narrative and try to give you some idea of the spiritual personality
+of the man, whose name even now the people were beginning to couple
+with that of "saint."
+
+In appearance Francis was a thorough Italian. He was rather below than
+over the ordinary height, his eyes and hair were dark, and his bearing
+free and gracious. He was chiefly remarkable for his happy, joyous
+expression. This he never lost: even when illness had robbed him of
+his good looks, the light in his eyes, and the smile on his lips were
+always the same.
+
+[Sidenote: _Holy Boldness._]
+
+The most striking points of Francis' character are, perhaps, his
+humility, his sincerity, and his childlike simplicity. Humble Francis
+was not by nature. There was nothing in his training to make him so,
+and everything that would tend to the growth of pride and arrogance.
+But, with his conversion, humility became one of his strongest
+convictions. He truly considered himself less than the least, and he
+held it to be an offence against God if he ever let himself, or his
+little feelings and prejudices, stand in the way of accomplishing what
+he believed to be for the extension of the Kingdom. It seemed as
+though he had no feelings to be hurt. What most people would call
+justifiable sensitiveness, Francis would call sin. He went straight to
+the mark, and if he did not accomplish all he wanted to at first, he
+simply tried again, and generally succeeded sooner or later.
+
+In places where the Friars were not known, Francis often found it a
+little difficult to get permission to preach in the churches. At a
+place called Imola, for instance, where he went to ask the bishop for
+the use of the church, the bishop replied, coldly and distantly:--
+
+"My brother, I preach in my own parish; I am not in need of anyone to
+aid me in my task."
+
+Francis bowed, and went out. An hour later, he presented himself
+again.
+
+"What have you come for again?" asked the bishop, angrily. "What do
+you want?"
+
+"My lord," answered Francis, in his simple way, "when a father turns
+his son out of one door, the son has but one thing to do--to return by
+another."
+
+This holy boldness won the bishop's heart.
+
+"You are right," he said. "You and your brothers may preach in my
+diocese. I give you a general permission to do so. Your humility
+deserves nothing less!"
+
+Francis never considered himself at liberty to "shake the dust" of a
+city off his feet unless he had tried and tried again and again, to
+get a hearing there; indeed, nothing convinced him of the uselessness
+of his quest unless he were thrown out neck and crop, then it was more
+than likely he would gather himself up, and try another entrance! He
+entirely forgot himself in his love for his Master.
+
+His love of truth was with him almost a passion. Between his thoughts,
+and his words, and his actions there was a perfect agreement, neither
+one contradicted the other; he saw to it that it was so, knowing that
+nothing hurt the Gospel of Christ like insincerity or double dealing.
+Distractions in prayer he looked upon as secret lies, and saying with
+the lips what the heart did not go with.
+
+"How shameful," he used to say, "to allow oneself to fall into vain
+distractions when one is addressing the great King! We should not
+speak in that manner even to a respectable man!"
+
+On one occasion he had carved a little olive-wood vase, probably
+meaning to sell it for food. But, while at prayer one day, some
+thought connected with this work came into his mind, distracting his
+soul for the moment. Instantly he was full of contrition, and, as soon
+as he left his prayer, hastened to put his vase into the fire, where
+never again it could come between his soul and God!
+
+One day, on meeting a friend on the road, they stopped to converse. On
+parting, the friend said, "You will pray for me?" To which Francis
+replied, "Willingly." Hardly was the other out of sight, when Francis
+said to his companion,--
+
+"Wait a little for me; I am going to kneel down and discharge the
+obligation I have just contracted." This was always his habit. Instead
+of promising and forgetting as so many do, he never rested till he had
+fulfilled the promise he had made.
+
+[Sidenote: _A Fox-skin._]
+
+During the last two years of his life he was often very weak and
+ailing. One cold winter, his companion, seeing that the clothes he was
+wearing were very thin and patched, was filled with compassion on his
+account. He secretly got a piece of fox-skin.
+
+"My father," he said, showing him the skin, "you suffer very much from
+your liver and stomach; I beg of you let me sew this fur under your
+tunic. If, you will not have it all, let it at least cover your
+stomach."
+
+"I will do what you wish," said Francis; "but you must sew as large a
+piece _outside_ as in."
+
+His companion couldn't see any sense in this arrangement, and objected
+very strongly.
+
+"The reason is quite plain," said Francis: "The outside piece will
+show everybody that I allow myself this comfort." They had to give in
+at last, and Francis had his way.
+
+"Oh, admirable man," writes a friend after his death; "thou hast
+always been the same within and without, in words and in deeds, below
+and above!"
+
+[Sidenote: _A Temptation._]
+
+On another occasion, he tore off his tunic, because, for a brief
+moment of weakness, he harbored the thought that he might have led an
+easier life, and still serve God. Like other men, he might have had a
+settled home, and lived a tranquil existence. It was a passing
+temptation, but Francis, tearing off his coarse garment, emblem of the
+Cross that he strove to follow, cried--
+
+"It is a religious habit--a man given up to such thoughts would be a
+robber if he wore it." Nor did he put it on again till he felt he
+could do so with a pure heart and clean conscience.
+
+With the crystal transparency of his inner and outer life went a
+simplicity that was akin to that of a little child. His sermons and
+addresses were of the very simplest and plainest. Though Francis was
+undoubtedly one of the orators of the age, his fiery words and burning
+language were such that even the most unlearned could easily follow.
+His theme was simply Christ, and Christ crucified for our sins, and an
+exhortation to repentance and holy living. Learned ones pondered his
+words and marvelled wherein lay his power, little dreaming that his
+very plainness of speech was his strength.
+
+His delight in the beauties of nature never left him. Sunset and
+sunrise, mountain and plain, river and sea alike, filled him with joy,
+and all spoke to him of the glory of God. Flowers always gave him
+especial pleasure. He insisted that his disciples should always
+reserve some portion of their gardens for the growth of flowers as
+well as vegetables, "to give them a foretaste of the eternal sweetness
+of Heaven." When the brethren went to the fields to chop wood, Francis
+always warned them to take care of the roots, so that the trunk might
+sprout again and live. To take life of any kind was intolerable to
+him. For this reason he always lifted the worms out of his path and
+laid them at the side of the road, lest an incautious traveller might
+crush them.
+
+His love and power over animals are almost too well known to need
+mention. He always spoke of them as his brothers and sisters. He
+disdained nothing. All were to him alike beautiful, because the work
+of his God. For a long time, he had a tame sheep, that followed him
+about wherever it could get a chance. This sheep always seemed to know
+exactly how to behave under all circumstances. When the brethren knelt
+at prayers, it knelt too; when they sang, it joined in with a
+not-too-loud little bleat!
+
+Near his room, at the Portiuncula, there lived a grasshopper in a
+fig-vine. This little insect would hop on his finger at his bidding,
+and when told to "sing and praise the Lord," used to chirp with all
+its might! Birds, insects, and even fishes and wild animals, we are
+told, all recognized in Francis a friend, and readily did his bidding.
+
+[Sidenote: _Two Small Mites._]
+
+Francis' love for God was supreme, and his belief that God loved him
+never wavered. To make people love and know God was his one burning
+desire. It was not so much God's service he delighted in as God
+Himself. He never lost sight of the Master in the Work, and to a large
+extent this was the key to all his success. His work was the outcome
+of his love. After we have received, the first natural impulse is to
+give. Francis possessed "two small mites," an ancient historian
+writes--"they were his body and his soul. He gave them both, bravely
+and freely, according to his custom."
+
+Whatever came--joy, sorrow, success, failure, pain, weariness,
+sickness, insult, or favor--Francis took as direct from the hand of
+God, and blessed Him for all. Why shouldn't he? His heart was right,
+he had the assurance that his ways pleased God, and his faith was not
+dependent upon knowledge. He was content, nay, glad to trust where he
+could not see, confident in the belief that "nothing could hurt a
+sanctified soul." His disciples could not always follow him so far.
+Some of them, when they saw their master suffering--as he did suffer
+severely in his last days--thought that God might have led His beloved
+Home by a less painful road. One of them once gave expression to his
+feelings thus:--
+
+"Ah, my brother, pray to the Lord that He may treat you more gently.
+Truly, He ought to let His hand weigh less heavily upon you."
+
+Hurt to the quick, as well as indignant, Francis cried:--
+
+"What is that you are saying? If I did not know your simplicity I
+should henceforth hold you in horror! What! you have the audacity to
+blame God's dealings with me!" Then, throwing himself on his knees, he
+prayed:--
+
+"Oh, my Lord God! I give Thee thanks for all these pains I endure. I
+pray Thee to send me a hundredfold more if such be Thy good pleasure!
+I willingly accept all afflictions. Thy holy name is my superabundant
+joy!"
+
+Nothing could ever make Francis say that anything in his lot was "very
+hard." His love was too loyal, his trust too complete.
+
+[Sidenote: _Rejoice Always._]
+
+Joy was one of his cardinal articles of faith. "Rejoice always!" was a
+divine command, and one not to be overlooked. As a young man, he had
+been of a bright, joyous nature, but easily plunged into depths of
+sadness and melancholy. God taught him upon what to base his joy, and,
+when he had torn down all earthly external devices, led him to derive
+his all from the true source. He held joy to be the normal state of
+those whom God loves--the fruit of Christian life, without which
+everything languishes and dies.
+
+"The devil," Francis always said, "carries dust with him, and whenever
+he can, he throws it into the openings of the soul in order to cloud
+the clearness of its thoughts and the purity of its actions. If joy
+knows how to defend itself and subsist, then he has had his spite for
+nothing; but if the servant of Christ becomes sad, bitter or unhappy,
+he is sure to triumph. Sooner or later, that soul will be overwhelmed
+by its sadness, or will seek for false joys or consolations. The
+servant of God who is troubled for any reason" (Francis always allowed
+that causes for trouble in this world are innumerable) "must
+immediately have recourse to prayer, and remain in the presence of his
+Heavenly Father till the joy of salvation has been restored to him,
+otherwise, his sadness will increase and engender a rust in the soul."
+
+[Sidenote: _The Duty of Cheerfulness._]
+
+This duty of cheerfulness Francis impressed upon all with whom he had
+to do.
+
+"My brother," he said to a friar, of doleful countenance, one day, "if
+thou hast some fault to mourn, do it in secret, groan and weep before
+God, but here, with thy brethren, be as they are in tone and
+countenance."
+
+His conviction of this duty was so strong that, during one large
+gathering of the friars, he had this advice written in large letters
+and posted up.
+
+"Let the brethren avoid ever appearing sombre, sad and clouded, like
+the hypocrites, but let them always be found joyful in the Lord, gay,
+amiable, gracious--as is fitting."
+
+Amiability and graciousness he also considered amongst the
+virtues--courtesy, he called it. And courtesy he always said was akin
+to charity, her younger sister, who was to go with the elder one and
+help to open all hearts to her! An historian writes thus of Francis:
+"He was very courteous and gracious in all things, and possessed a
+peace and serenity that nothing could disturb. This sympathy and
+benevolence was expressed on his countenance; his face had in it
+something angelic."
+
+His songs and hymns were the outcome of his perpetual joy in the Lord.
+In those days there were no popular religious hymns or songs. People
+praised God in Latin, with psalms and chants. Francis never found that
+these gave vent to his feelings, and so, with the help of one of the
+brothers--Pacificus, a trained musician--he began to write his own;
+and soon, wherever the friars passed, they left a train of simple
+melody in their wake. It was Francis, and his brethren, who first
+turned the Italian language into poetry, and gave it that impetus
+which has since rendered it the typical language for song.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+FRANCIS--AS A LEADER OF MEN.
+
+    "Thou whose bright faith makes feeble hearts grow stronger,
+       And sends fresh warriors to the great campaign,
+     Bids the lone convert feel estranged no longer,
+       And wins the sundered to be one again."
+
+
+Little did Francis think, as he piled up stone after stone upon the
+walls of St. Damian, that the day was not far distant when he should
+begin the building of a spiritual temple, built up of "lively stones,"
+with Christ Himself as the "chief corner-stone." Yet it was even so.
+That day when, in obedience to the heavenly command, he stripped off
+his shoes and mantle, he laid the first stone. From that hour his
+spiritual building proceeded, and he who had fancied his work
+completed, found that it was but barely begun! Dead souls, in whom the
+Story of the Cross could no longer arouse even the most transient
+emotion, were awakened and convicted when they saw it lived out before
+them--a living epistle. We have seen how souls quickened by Divine
+power, and led only by God, came and joined themselves to Francis,
+choosing him as their leader, and accepting as their rule of life the
+revelation made to him, through the gospel, for that memorable
+February day. To those that followed Francis, God made no more
+definite manifestation of His will other than that they were to join
+themselves to him and lead his life. Manifestly, he was their
+God-appointed leader, and as simply and obediently as he had pulled
+off his mantle and shoes, he accepted the human trust bestowed upon
+him. And well he fulfilled that trust!
+
+To the very last hour of his life, Francis was true to his first
+principles. Never for one moment did he wander out of the narrow path
+in which God had set his feet at the beginning of his career as a
+leader and teacher of men. As literally as it was possible he modelled
+his life on that of our Lord Jesus Christ. One of the most noted
+Atheist writers of the present century says that in no age has there
+been so close a copy of the life of Christ as that portrayed by
+Francis and his followers.
+
+[Sidenote: _Alms._]
+
+The most well-known of all the Franciscan characteristics is their
+poverty. Though at times they asked alms for Christ's sake from their
+neighbours, that was not the ideal Francis had before him as their
+regular mode of life. It was that all should work with their hands at
+whatever they could best do, and in return receive an equivalent for
+their labour in food or clothes. "All the brothers who have learnt a
+trade," Francis said, "will exercise it, those who have not must learn
+one, and keep to the exercise of it without changing. All will receive
+everything necessary for the support of life, except money, in
+remuneration of their work." "When the brothers are in want of the
+necessaries of life, they shall go and ask for alms like any other
+poor man," was another of his directions. This was a great trial to
+some who would have gladly learned the most menial of trades. But
+there were times when there was no demand for labor, and there was
+nothing for it but to beg or starve. This latter Francis would not
+allow, and, repugnant though the former might be, it had to be done.
+Not that he ever forced anyone. He began by doing this ignominious
+duty himself, saying as he did so--
+
+"My beloved brethren, the Son of God was far more noble than the
+noblest of us, and yet He became poor upon earth. It is for love of
+Him that we have embraced poverty, therefore, we must not be ashamed
+to resort to the table of our Lord (thus he always spoke of alms).
+Rejoice then to give good examples to those brethren whose firstfruits
+ye are, that they in future may have nothing to do but follow you."
+
+[Sidenote: _Holy Poverty._]
+
+But there were other reasons why Francis was so devoted to poverty.
+In all his doings he is remarkable for clear common-sense. Money and
+possessions of any kind were in those days a fruitful source of
+dispute and quarrels of all kinds; therefore, as Francis reasoned, it
+were better that the Knights of Christ should possess nothing. Then
+again in the priesthood, though the individuals themselves possessed
+nothing, yet large sums of money and great possessions had been
+amassed by convent and monastery, until, at the period of which we are
+writing, the luxury and gluttony of priest and monk was a favourite
+joke, and the splendour of their buildings well-known. As to
+buildings, Francis would very much have preferred to have none. Since
+this was impossible, he had everything built at the least possible
+expense. Just rough beams put together, and the joinings filled with
+sand. Even then this uncouth mass had to be property of someone
+outside the community!
+
+"Only on this condition," Francis said, "can we be considered as
+strangers here below in accordance with the apostolic recommendation."
+Certainly, no one could accuse them of luxury. The furniture of the
+houses was of the poorest. Beds, often of straw, cups and plates of
+wood or clay, a few rough tables, and a small number of books in
+common to the brothers, were all the rooms contained. Carefully and
+jealously did Francis guard against the first appearance of relaxation
+on the part of himself or his followers. He would have thought God's
+commands to him broken if any new-comer found in his community
+anything that he had given up upon leaving the world.
+
+As to clothing, we have already seen what were Francis' views in this
+respect. The rough robe of "beast color," tied in with a knotted rope,
+is still to be seen to-day in many parts of the world. But Francis
+very well knew that a certain kind of vanity can easily lurk in even
+the coarsest of garments. He was, therefore, constantly on the watch,
+and was always severe if he saw the least deviation from the rule. "It
+is an infallible sign," he always said, "that fervour is cooling in
+the soul." He never allowed his disciples to have more than two
+tunics.
+
+"It may be that one suffers a little," he said, "but what sort of
+virtue is that that cannot suffer anything! To try and avoid all
+mortifications under plea of necessity is a cowardly way of losing
+occasions of merit. It is what the Hebrews would have done had they
+gone back to Egypt."
+
+[Sidenote: _Fatherly Care._]
+
+It was more by personal example than anything else that Francis led
+his followers in the Divine steps that he was so confident had been
+also marked out for him. And his people believed in him and loved him.
+They were convinced that through him spoke the Divine voice, and that
+his way was God's way. And he was worthy of their belief and their
+love and their esteem. He loved them with a devoted, generous love. By
+his entire forgetfulness of self and his constant devotion to their
+needs, he was theirs, always to "serve." Many stories are told of his
+gentle, delicate kindliness and fatherly care. Once, one of his flock
+had gone a little too far in depriving himself of natural food. That
+night, in the silence, came a voice from his room which groaned
+softly, "I am starving, I am starving of hunger!" Francis, who was
+awake, rose quietly, and, getting together some food, went to the
+starving brother and invited him to eat with him, so as not to hurt
+his feelings or let it appear that he had been overheard. After he had
+eaten, he explained to him the evil of not giving the body what was
+necessary for it.
+
+Another brother, who was ill, had a great longing for grapes, but
+feared to indulge himself in case he should be breaking his vows.
+Francis found out, some way or other, how he felt, and, going to him,
+led him out into a vineyard, and, gathering some rich clusters, seated
+himself on the ground, and, beginning to eat, invited his companion to
+join him. If any were weak and ailing, it was always Francis who was
+first to take a vessel and go out and beg for more nourishing food for
+his ailing comrades. A mother could not have been more tender than he
+was.
+
+In a very great measure Francis possessed the discernment of spirits.
+He seemed to know intuitively what people were thinking about. One
+day, during the last years of his life, when he had been obliged
+through bodily weakness to ride on an ass, he surprised the brother
+who was trudging alongside him, by getting off and saying--
+
+[Sidenote: _Francis' Tact._]
+
+"Here, brother, get on, it is more fitting that you, who are of noble
+birth, should ride, rather than I, who am of humble origin."
+
+The brother immediately fell on his knees and, asking forgiveness,
+confessed that he had been grumbling to himself that he, whose family
+would never have had anything to do with that of Pietro Bernardone's,
+had been obliged to follow the ass of Francis Bernardone!
+
+Another brother was greatly troubled because he thought Francis did
+not love him. He told himself that Francis hardly ever noticed or
+spoke to him, and then he began to argue that probably God, too, paid
+no attention to him. He determined to see his leader about it. As soon
+as ever he appeared before Francis, and before he could get out a
+word, Francis said--
+
+"It is a temptation, my brother, believe me, it is a temptation. I
+have the truest affection for you, and you deserve this affection.
+Come to me whenever you want, and we will talk things over."
+
+One can easily imagine the joy of the once forlorn brother!
+
+Not only could Francis move the crowds and hold them spell-bound with
+his fiery words, but he had also the power to reach and touch men's
+hearts in private. He was always accessible to that individual, be he
+saint or sinner, who was in need. In times of darkness and depression,
+he was the support of the brothers. He knew well the stages that a
+soul passes through after it has taken the final step of separateness
+from the world. In critical moments he was theirs to soothe and
+comfort with prayer and advice. It was not only the faltering saint
+that he lavished his tenderness upon; he was just as careful of the
+faulty and ungrateful, and nothing could exceed the love with which he
+strove to lure them back when he saw they were inclined to go ever so
+little astray. "A superior," he used to say, "is more of a tyrant than
+a father if he waits to interfere until a fault has been committed or
+a fall has occurred!"
+
+[Sidenote: _No Alternative._]
+
+However, in spite of his tenderness, Francis could be iron strong when
+there was any question of right and wrong. Those who were not of his
+mind were obliged to get out from among the brothers. There was no
+alternative, no easier way made for anyone. "Little Brothers" or
+"Friars Minor" they called themselves, a name which then meant
+"servant of all" or "least of all," and woe betide anyone who departed
+from the spirit of this name!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ORDER.
+
+    "Would you know, oh world, these Warriors; Go where the poor, the old,
+    Ask for pardon and for heaven, and you offer food and gold;
+    With healing and with comfort, with words of peace and prayer,
+    Bearing His greatest gift to men--Christ's chosen priests are there."
+
+
+It was not long before the little hut by the Riva Torto was full to
+overflowing. The number of brethren had increased so, that there was
+only just space for them to lie down at night, each under the beam
+upon which his name had been chalked. It was a poor abode enough, but
+poor though it was, they were not destined to have its shelter long.
+One day when they were all engaged in prayer, a peasant noisily threw
+open the door, and driving his ass right on top of the kneeling
+occupants cried--
+
+"Go in, go in, Bruno, we shall be better off here."
+
+There was nothing to do but get out. The hut was not theirs, and
+neither was there room for an extra man and a beast! They next betook
+themselves to the Portiuncula, where they built themselves huts or
+cells. The Portiuncula was the last church that Francis restored, and
+one always especially dear to him. A little later it was given to the
+friars for their own use.
+
+From the Portiuncula the brothers travelled all round the
+country-side, two by two, in true apostolic fashion. Some followed the
+peasants into the fields, and as they shared their labors, sang and
+talked of the love of Christ. For days, perhaps, they would live and
+eat and sleep with the field hands, and then pass, always singing, on
+their way, leaving hearts that had been touched, behind them. Others
+sought the lazar-house, and spent their time in helping the brothers
+tend the sick. They were always welcome here, and very often difficult
+cases were reserved for their care. In the towns they met with a very
+different reception. There they were considered "fair game" for
+anybody who wished to tease or persecute or mock them. Some people
+called them mad and lazy, others who believed in their good intent
+said that if they wanted to be religious, there were plenty of Orders
+they could join which would not be so austere. Even the Bishop of
+Assisi, who always called Francis his son, said to him once,
+
+"Your way of living, without owning anything, seems to me very harsh
+and difficult."
+
+[Sidenote: _On the Right Lines._]
+
+Francis, sure that he was on the right lines, replied,
+
+"If we possessed property we should have need of arms for its defence,
+for it is the source of quarrels and lawsuits, and the love of God and
+one's neighbor usually finds many obstacles therein! This is why we do
+not desire temporal goods."
+
+As the months went on, Francis and his doings attracted more and more
+attention. They were the talk of the country. The families of those
+brothers who had given away their possessions could not forgive them
+for so doing, and attacks from these quarters were bitter and severe.
+Disappointed heirs could find nothing too evil to say against the
+foolishness and madness of their friar relatives. From this point of
+view, many families found the brotherhood very alarming, and parents
+trembled when their sons took any interest in it, lest they too should
+join it. The clergy naturally felt somewhat distrustful of the doings
+of these strange lay-workers. So, taking it altogether, whether he
+liked it or not, Francis was the most talked of man in Assisi. The
+more people flocked to him and got converted, the more his enemies
+slandered him.
+
+It was this state of things that led him to take his entire
+force--numbering twelve--to Rome, and there beg the Pope to sanction
+their mode of work. It was a bold undertaking, and when it was first
+presented to the twelve they shrank back in horror at the presumption
+of such a thing! But Francis had made up his mind and nothing could
+move him.
+
+How was he, Francis, young, without any interest, and a stranger to
+all churchly usages, to get to see the Pope? the brethren asked him.
+
+Francis didn't know. Probably he cared less. Anyway, God had told him
+to go.
+
+Then the brethren pleaded their simplicity. How they should
+look--travel-stained, bare-footed, and coarse-robed, at the court of
+Rome! This argument carried no weight whatever with their leader, and
+his faith prevailing, they set out. Just as they were about to start,
+Francis said "Let us choose one of us to be our Chief. We will go
+whither he wills to go, we will sojourn where he wills us to sojourn."
+The rest agreeing, Bernardo di Quintavelle was chosen as leader.
+
+[Sidenote: _Bishop Guido._]
+
+As soon as they arrived in Rome they discovered that unexpected help
+was right at hand. Guido, the good Bishop of Assisi, was in the city,
+and he met them accidentally just as they arrived. He was a little
+discomposed at first--seeing the entire brotherhood he immediately
+jumped to the conclusion that they were about to settle in Rome.
+However, Francis soon told him the object of their journey, and he
+promised to do the very best he could for them. Guido had a friend in
+Rome, Cardinal John, of Sabina. This man was godly and devoted, one
+who had never been carried away by the grandeur of his position, and
+he was always a friend of anybody who tried to work for God. Guido had
+already told him the story of Francis, and said that it was his belief
+that God meant to do great things through that simple man and his
+followers. Now that they had turned up so unexpectedly, he hastened to
+introduce them to John and let him judge them for himself. The
+Cardinal saw them, and talked to them, and was convinced in his own
+mind that they were divinely led. Still, he thought he would like to
+try Francis a little further. Taking him to one side, he asked him a
+number of questions about his work and its difficulties.
+
+"It is beyond your strength," he said, when he had heard him, and went
+on to advise him to join some already existing Order, or else, if he
+liked, lead the life of a hermit. Francis listened politely, but still
+kept to his purpose.
+
+"You are mistaken," persisted the Cardinal. "It is much better to
+follow the beaten tracks."
+
+Francis, equally persistent, kept to his point, and then the Cardinal,
+who would have been sorry had his advice been taken, entered heartily
+into his plans, and promised to support him with the Pope.
+
+As these interviews occupied several days, Francis became impatient at
+the delay. Nobody knows how he did it, but he succeeded unaided in
+getting into the Palace, and presenting himself and his brethren
+before the astonished eyes of the Pope! The Pope was walking in a
+secluded gallery, meditating mournfully on the declension of the
+Church of God, and trying to think what would remedy the growing
+evils, when his meditations were abruptly cut short by what looked to
+him like a troop of beggars. He was annoyed, and sent them off about
+their business before they could explain what they wanted.
+
+[Sidenote: _A Dream._]
+
+That night the Pope dreamed a strange dream. He thought he saw a tiny
+palm tree spring up at his feet, which immediately grew and grew till
+it became a splendid tree. When he awoke, the conviction was strong in
+his mind that the poor man he had turned away the day before was none
+other than this little tree. And as he was thinking over his dream,
+Cardinal John came in, and said--
+
+"I have found a man whom I look upon as very perfect. He is resolved
+to follow literally the teachings of Christ, and I have no doubt that
+God intends to make use of him to reanimate faith on the earth."
+
+The Pope was struck with what he said, for he was convinced in his own
+mind that this was none other than the man he had driven away. He
+concealed his feelings from the Cardinal, and merely said he should
+like to see him. The Cardinal sent for Francis and his twelve, who
+speedily appeared, and the Pope saw at once they were the beggars of
+yesterday. He welcomed Francis warmly, and went into the rule he had
+drawn up for his life, and that of his brotherhood. This rule has not
+come down to us, but from various sources we learn that it was merely
+a string of Bible verses, Christ's directions to His apostles,
+including those that had been Francis' own commission. The Pope
+listened to all that Francis had to say, then he said--
+
+[Sidenote: _Hesitation._]
+
+"My children, the life to which you aspire seems hard and difficult.
+Doubtless your fervor is great, and we have no anxiety on your
+account, but it is our duty to consider those who will come after you.
+We must not impose upon them a burden they cannot bear. All this
+requires serious reflection." Then he dismissed them, saying he would
+lay the matter before the Cardinals.
+
+Well, the question was put to the Cardinals, and they talked and
+talked and talked. One said one thing, another said another, and most
+of them had some objection to raise. They said he went beyond due
+limits, that human nature could not long endure such a life, and
+altogether they showed by their conversation, how very, very far they,
+the leaders of a Church who claimed to follow the steps of the lowly
+Nazarene, had departed from the initial simplicity of the Gospel.
+Probably some idea of this sort was in Cardinal John's mind when he
+rose to address the Assembly. He did not say very much, but what he
+said went straight to the point.
+
+"If we refuse the petition of this poor man on the plea that his rule
+is difficult, let us beware lest we reject the Gospel itself, for the
+rule which he desires us to approve of is in conformity with the
+teachings of the Gospel. For us to say that Gospel perfection contains
+anything unreasonable or impossible is to rise up against the author
+of the Gospel and blaspheme Jesus Christ."
+
+The force of his words went home, more especially as the rule was
+entirely composed of Scripture verses!
+
+Still the Pope hesitated. He could not come to any immediate decision.
+
+"Go my son," he said to Francis, "and pray to God that He may let you
+know that what you ask is from Him, and if it is we will grant your
+desire."
+
+For several days Francis gave himself up to prayer, and his next
+interview with the Pope convinced him that these poor beggars had a
+mission from God. He withheld his approval no longer. Embracing
+Francis, he said to the little band--
+
+"Go with God's blessing and preach repentance to all, in the way that
+He is pleased to inspire you with."
+
+A few days later the little party were on their way home again,
+overflowing with joy. For a fortnight they lingered in a little town
+called Orte. Some historians say they rested awhile from their
+labours, others that they were attacked with fever in crossing the
+Campagna. Be that as it may, it was here that Francis endured one of
+the severest temptations of his life. The beauty of the scenery, the
+delicious quiet, after the anxious time he had just gone through in
+Rome, all conspired to make him think that after all perhaps a life
+hidden from the world and devoted to prayer and meditation would be
+just as acceptable to God as the more laborious one of preaching and
+teaching. But he did not remain long under this spell, and in a little
+time they were all back in Assisi.
+
+[Sidenote: _The Order Established._]
+
+It was at this point that Francis began first to shine as an orator.
+Of course the news of his visit to Rome spread all around, and more
+than ever he was an object of interest. The priests of St. George, who
+had educated him, asked him to preach in their church. This service
+must have been a success, because when the Bishop Guido returned to
+Assisi, he asked Francis to preach in the cathedral. Here Francis
+surpassed anything he had ever done before, and the large cathedral
+was too small to hold the crowds that flocked to hear the young man.
+Men and women came in from all the country-side, monks came down from
+their mountain monasteries, and learned and simple all agreed that
+"never man spake like this man!"
+
+Yet, as we have said before, his words were of the simplest. He
+preached repentance, not merely a lip repentance, but kind that worked
+itself out in daily life. "If you have defrauded any man," he said,
+"restore unto him that which is his." This sort of plain, practical
+teaching was rapidly dying out. It came fresh to the people, and they
+were stirred mightily."
+
+[Sidenote: _Less than the Least._]
+
+After their return from Rome, they began to be known as the Friars
+Minor. This was the way in which they got their name. One day a
+brother was reading aloud the Rule of the Order, and when he came to
+this passage, "and let the brothers be less than all others," it
+struck Francis very forcibly. He stopped the reader, and said--
+
+"My brothers, I wish from henceforth that this fraternity should be
+called the Order of Minors." Minor being the word in the original that
+expresses the idea of "less than the least." And this was the name
+they bore for many a year. It was an expressive and suitable one. Less
+than the least of all the brethren--that was what they desired to be.
+They were essentially of the people, they wore the garb of the
+poorest, and shared their life with its toils and privations.
+
+There was also another reason for this name, some historians say. Just
+before Francis formed his Order, there was an Order of Friars
+established in Italy, who spent their time in working among the poor.
+"Little Brothers of the Poor," they called themselves, and it was in
+contradistinction to them that Francis called himself "Minor," or less
+than the "Little Brothers."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+THE STORY OF CLARA.
+
+    "So faith grew.... The acknowledgment of God in Christ,
+          Accepted by thy reason solves for thee,
+          All questions in the world and out of it."
+
+
+One of the most interested listeners in the Cathedral, the day that
+Francis preached his first sermon there, was a little girl of sixteen.
+Her name was Clara Scifi, and she was of noble family. From her
+childhood she had been accustomed to hear discussed among the elders
+the follies and madness of Francis Bernardone. Clara had always been a
+good child, and from babyhood delighted to distribute food and alms of
+all kinds to the poor. When she was old enough to understand all
+Francis' principles, she was greatly drawn to them, though she kept
+her feelings to herself. A cousin of hers became a friar, and this
+naturally intensified her interest in the Friars Minor. But when she
+went to the Cathedral, and, for the first time saw and heard Francis
+for herself, it was like a revelation straight from God.
+
+It seemed to Clara that he spoke directly to her, and that he knew all
+her secret sorrows, and personal anxieties! Oh how she longed to have
+some part in his great work! In those days such a thing as a girl
+leaving her home for any reason except to be married or immured in a
+convent, and never seen, was unheard of, and when Clara made up her
+mind that she would break away from her idle luxurious life and become
+a servant of the poor, she knew that she was going to do an unheard of
+thing, and that never while the world stood, would she get permission
+from her father, Favorina, for any such undertaking! Clare's mother,
+Ortolana, was a pious woman, but even if she were to give her
+consent, it was quite certain her husband would not. Therefore Clara
+determined not to tell her mother what she was thinking about doing.
+
+[Sidenote: _Clara's Decision._]
+
+During the year that ensued after that preaching in the Cathedral,
+Clara saw a great deal of Francis, and the more she saw of him, and
+heard him talk, the surer she became that God was calling her to leave
+home and friends. So one March night, accompanied by two servants,
+Clara left her beautiful home, and set off for the Portiuncula, where
+Francis and the brothers were waiting to receive her, and welcome her
+as a sister in the Lord. Singing hymns, they led her into the little
+church, and after a short service, during which they read her the
+Rules, her beautiful long hair was cut off, and she robed herself in a
+garment of coarse, ash-colored stuff, tied in at the waist with a
+rope. After this she was conducted to a convent, some two miles away,
+where the Benedictine nuns gave her a temporary shelter.
+
+Francis was too simple and unworldly to think of the possible
+consequences of this step of Clara's. He was sure that God had called
+her, and he was equally sure that her friends would never give their
+consent to her leaving home and becoming an apostle of poverty;
+therefore, as God had revealed His will, it must be done at once. It
+also never occurred to him that this was likely to develop into a
+second Order of his Brotherhood, and an extension of his work. He only
+saw a soul anxious to leave the world and all that pertained to it,
+for Christ's sake, and his only thought was to provide it a way of
+escape, just as he would have cared for a sparrow escaping from the
+hawk, or a rabbit from the snare.
+
+Next day Clara's irate parents arrived at the convent. They saw Clara,
+and begged and entreated, and threatened, but all to no purpose. She
+would not come away. She was absolutely unmovable. At last, seeing
+that she was so determined, they gave up any idea of carrying her away
+by main force, and listened to her while she talked to them, and
+explained her position that she was consecrated to the living God,
+and that nothing should come between Him and her. Her parents struck
+by her words consented to leave her, and went away promising not to
+trouble her again.
+
+[Sidenote: _Agnes._]
+
+But the troubles of the house of Scifi were not yet over. A fortnight
+later, Agnes, a child of fourteen, ran away to join her sister. Agnes
+had always been intensely devoted to Clara, and besides, she too had
+been longing for some more satisfactory mode of life. It cannot be
+said that Clara was surprised when Agnes knocked at the door, for ever
+since her consecration she had prayed that Agnes' heart might be
+touched too, and that she might be led to follow her out of the world.
+Therefore she received Agnes with open arms.
+
+"Ah, sweet sister," she cried, "how I bless God that He has so quickly
+heard my earnest prayer for thee!" Agnes kissed her and declared that
+she had come never to leave her, and together they braced themselves
+for the storm that they felt was coming. And a terrible storm it was!
+Favorina enraged at losing another daughter, took twelve men relatives
+and proceeded without delay to fetch her home by main force if
+necessary. However, they smothered their rage at first, as best they
+could, and said quietly to Agnes--
+
+"Why have you come here? Get ready and come home."
+
+Then, when she refused to leave Clara, one of them fell on her with
+kicks and blows, and taking her by the hair tried to drag her away.
+
+"Ah, my sister," she cried to Clara, "come and help me; let me not be
+torn away from my Lord."
+
+Poor Clara could do nothing but follow her weeping. At last, worn out
+with her struggles--or, as the legend says, she became so abnormally
+heavy--they were obliged to drop her. Clara, reproaching them for
+their cruel treatment, begged of them to give the child back to her.
+Not knowing what else to do they returned, much disappointed at their
+failure.
+
+[Sidenote: _The "Poor Ladies."_]
+
+This action of Clara and Agnes opened the way for many who were
+hovering on the brink. As soon as they were established at St.
+Damian's, which the Bishop of Assisi placed at their disposal--they
+were joined by one woman after another, many their own personal
+friends, and thus the second Order of what was then called "Poor
+Ladies," was founded. The rule that they followed was very much like
+that of the brothers, except in regard to the missionary life. Women
+in those days never preached! The "Poor Ladies" supplied the passive
+side of the organisation, and by their prayers and supplications,
+supported the active workers. Their daily needs were met by what we
+should call lay-sisters, women for whom a life apart from the world
+was impossible. At first the people of Assisi brought the ladies the
+food they needed, but when a little later this first ardour cooled
+down, the lay-sisters took it upon themselves to provide regularly for
+their necessities.
+
+However, the Sisters themselves were by no means idle. They spun
+thread, and made linen altar-cloths, and all that was needed for
+churches round about. Then Francis was always sending the sick and
+ailing to St. Damian's to be nursed, and for some time it was quite a
+hospital. Clara, who was eventually put in charge of St. Damian's was
+as rigid as Francis in her conviction as to the advisability of
+possessing nothing. When her father died, she was his heir. It was a
+very rich inheritance she came in for, but she commanded that
+everything should be sold, and the proceeds given to the poor, and not
+a penny of it went to enrich the convent. After her father's death
+Clara had the joy of welcoming her mother and younger sister Beatrice
+into her family!
+
+Clara was always a true Franciscan. All through her life which was a
+long one, she kept faithful to the principles of the Order, and never
+would she yield to any dispensation that deviated from the narrow path
+that Francis trod. When offered certain properties by a Church
+dignitary, on the plea that the state of the times made it impossible
+for women to possess nothing, she gazed upon him with speechless
+astonishment.
+
+[Sidenote: _"I want no Release."_]
+
+"If it is your vows that prevent you," the worthy man went on, "you
+will be released from them."
+
+"No," she cried, "I want no release from following Christ."
+
+She was a staunch defender of Francis. She also defended him from
+himself! Many a time in hours of dark discouragement, when he was
+sorely tempted to fly away, and shut himself up to a life of prayer
+and contemplation, she pointed out to him the sheep who, without a
+shepherd, were wandering to their own destruction, and drew him back
+again into his God-marked path. Her teaching, and her mode of caring
+for her sisters was very similar to that of Francis with his
+disciples.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+THE FIRST CHAPTER.
+
+    "No rushing sound we heard,
+       We saw no fiery token,
+    Only our hearts were stirred,
+       For God had spoken."
+
+
+The temptation to seek a life of quiet and retirement followed Francis
+all his days. Invariably, after any new departure or special victory
+he was attacked in that quarter. Why he should have been so troubled
+when his call to follow Christ was so clear, we are not qualified to
+say definitely. In all probability this temptation of his was akin to
+Paul's "messenger of Satan" and thorn in the flesh that buffeted him,
+lest he should be unduly exalted. The most interesting point to us
+nineteenth-century Christians is, that by the grace of God Francis
+never yielded to this temptation--that having once put his hand the
+plough, he never turned back, but remained faithful to the end.
+
+We must take into consideration that the Order of which Francis was
+the founder was in itself unique. It stood alone in the annals of
+Church history. It was a novelty in the Church. All other existing
+orders followed a totally different line of action, or rather
+inaction. Their disciples were shut up in solitude, and devoted
+themselves to their own sanctification. When they worked for sinners
+it was by praying for them, by example, and by a little preaching.
+They never came face to face with the outside world. Their lives were
+remote, apart. These facts may have had something to do with Francis'
+periods of darkness and indecision. A pioneer's life has its own
+peculiar temptations.
+
+[Sidenote: _Darkness._]
+
+Perhaps the worst season of darkness that Francis had was after the
+establishment of the second Order. An internal agony seized him. Was
+he, he asked himself, not trying to do something superhuman in uniting
+a contemplative with an active life. So often he had been told by
+people much wiser and cleverer than himself that the life he had
+marked out was humanly impossible! He wrestled and prayed, but nothing
+could dissipate the heavy blackness that spread itself over his
+pathway. He determined to appeal to his brethren and follow their
+advice. His appeal for help gives us a striking instance of how subtly
+Satan can take the form of an Angel of Light.
+
+"My brethren what do you advise me?" he asked. "Which do you consider
+best--that I should attend to prayer, or that I should go and preach?
+I am a simple man, that speaks without art. I have received the gift
+of prayer more than of speaking. Besides, there is more profit in
+prayer. It is the source of grace. In preaching, we only distribute to
+others the gifts we have received. Prayer purifies the heart and
+affections. It is the union with the one true and solid Good.
+Preaching makes the feet of even the spiritual man dusty. It is a work
+that distracts and dissipates, and leads to relaxation of discipline.
+In short, in prayer we speak to God, and listen to Him. In preaching
+we must use much condescension towards men, and living among them it
+is often necessary to see, hear, think, and speak like them in too
+human fashion. These are very serious objections. And yet there is a
+reason that seems to give it most weight with God. It is that His only
+Son left the bosom of the Father to save souls, and to instruct men by
+His example and word. He gave all He had for our salvation. He kept
+nothing for Himself. Therefore it seems to me more in conformity with
+the Divine Will that I renounce a tranquil life and that I go to work
+abroad. But what is your advice? Speak! What do you think I ought to
+do?"
+
+The respective merits of the question had been so equally weighed that
+it is not surprising that the brethren, one and all, declared
+themselves unable to give any advice. For several days they conferred,
+but no clear light shone upon their conferences. It was an important
+matter to decide, because the whole future conduct of the Order hung
+upon the decision. As Francis would walk, so also would tread his
+disciples. This fact, together with the general uncertainty, pressed
+heavily upon his soul. One of the most spiritual of Francis'
+historians says that God permitted him to pass through this darkness,
+because He wanted His servant whom He had already made a prophet, to
+learn by a striking example, that no inspiration comes to us from
+ourselves. And more than this. He wished the merit and glory of
+preaching to be consecrated by a species of oracle that could only be
+attributed to Him.
+
+[Sidenote: _How the Answer Came._]
+
+This is how the answer came.
+
+Francis, always little in his own eyes, was never ashamed of inquiring
+of anyone, the simple as well as the learned, the imperfect as well
+as the perfect, if he thought that by so doing he would be the better
+able to extend the Kingdom. In the present instance, getting no light
+from the brethren, he sent a message to Brother Sylvester, who was now
+a very old man, and lived by himself on a mountain, and another to
+Clara, asking them to pray that God would reveal to them his will. The
+old priest, and the young girl and her companions, gave themselves up
+to prayer, and God who declares that He will be inquired of, revealed
+to them His will.
+
+When the messages came, as they did together, Francis was on his knees
+praying. Both messengers carried the same message. It was God's will,
+they said, that he should leave his solitude, and preach the Gospel.
+
+Immediately, without losing a moment, Francis got up, put on his
+mantle, and set of. All his doubt had vanished at once.
+
+"Let us go, my brethren," he said. "Let us go in the name of the
+Lord!"
+
+It seemed as if he were possessed by a new spirit. Never had he been
+so fervent. Never had his ardor been so intense. To all that he did
+God set His seal in a truly marvellous manner! The inhabitants of the
+various villages flocked to hear him, and they almost stood upon one
+another to find places in the churches and cathedrals. In those days
+the cathedrals and great churches were not seated. The people stood
+all the time. The men to the front, and the women very often far
+behind. When there was a large crowd, the crush was fearful.
+
+In Ascoli some thirty men from the Church joined the Minors, and were
+given the habit. After this event, Francis could not show himself in
+the street without being surrounded by a crowd. When once he came into
+a town the population had no thought for anyone but him. The churches
+were filled as soon as ever it was known he was going to speak. Even
+in the streets they eagerly gathered up his words. Thus it was
+everywhere he went through Central Italy. His name was in everyone's
+mouth.
+
+[Sidenote: _A Great Tree._]
+
+It was some time now since the building at the Portiuncula had become
+far too small to accommodate all who wished to join the Friars. There
+had been nothing for it but to overflow into the neighbouring
+provinces. It is a matter of some regret that but little of the
+history of this extension has been preserved. We shall see how
+Bernardo of Quintavelle, and Guido of Cortona, established branches of
+the Order, and no doubt the story of other new ventures would have
+been equally interesting, but all that history has handed down to us
+is a list of names. The tiny seed that Francis had sown in weakness
+was rapidly becoming a great tree. Though this progress was gratifying
+to him, it also caused him some suffering. By nature he was intensely
+affectionate, and when one by one he had to send out from him his old
+companions to take charge of distant branches, his heart was sad
+indeed.
+
+One day while he was thinking, as he often did, about his absent
+friends, the thought occurred to him that something might be done to
+alleviate this separation. Something, too, that would benefit the
+entire Order. Twice a year it was arranged that all the brethren, new
+and old, should meet at the Portiuncula. This idea proved to be so
+good that it became one of the fundamental rules of the Order.
+
+[Sidenote: _A Curious Scene._]
+
+The first of these "Chapters," as they were called, was held after
+Francis had completed his tour in Central Italy. The brethren came
+from far and near. They came pouring in from all quarters, up from the
+valleys, and down from the mountains, and from the shining sea-coast,
+streams of brown-robed, bare-footed men of all classes and conditions
+of life. And what were they coming to? A little church and convent as
+poor as themselves, where there were not even provisions enough on
+hand to supply one-hundredth part of the hundreds that were flocking
+there with one meal! But in perfect faith and trust they came,
+plodding along under the blazing sun, some rapt in meditation, others
+saluting all they met with their gentle salutation, "the peace of
+God."
+
+Such a sight was never seen in Italy before, and from castle and city
+poured glittering vividly-colored groups to see the wonderful sight.
+The richly-colored garments of the crowd, and the gaily-decked
+cavalcade from the country and castle formed a brilliant foil to the
+brown-robed stream of friars. The Portiuncula is situated on one of
+the lowest slopes of the Apennine hills, below it stretches the wide
+plain. This was the guest-chamber. There were no other beds than the
+bare ground, with here and there a little straw. But we need not pity
+them as far as sleeping out of doors goes, because the Umbrian nights
+are of all things most beautiful. The air was soft and warm, and the
+brilliant blue-starred heavens above did away with any need of
+artificial light.
+
+Francis met this crowd with great pleasure and cheerfulness, though he
+had not a crust to offer them. When they were all assembled he told
+them with sublime faith to give no thought as to what they were to eat
+or drink, but only to praise God. And his faith was rewarded. The
+people came from Perugia, Spoleto, Foligno, and Assisi, and from all
+the neighboring country to carry meat and drink to that strange
+congregation. They came with horses and asses, and carts laden with
+bread and cheese and beans and other good things, and besides this
+they brought plates, and jugs, and knives; and knights, and barons,
+and other noblemen, who had come to look on, waited on the brothers
+with much devotion. It was such sight as once seen could never be
+forgotten.
+
+[Sidenote: _Three Grades._]
+
+In these chapters Francis was at his best, and happily the historians
+of the time have preserved for us details of his mode of work. He was
+there to spend and be spent. His one desire was that the brethren
+should gain a renewal of spiritual strength in the days passed
+together, and at the same time that the Order in general should be
+benefited. To attain the first end, he employed what we have pointed
+out before as being one of his strongest points--private and
+individual dealing. As we have also already intimated, we feel sure
+that the greater part of his phenomenal success resulted from this. In
+his own mind he had the brethren carefully graded. There were three
+divisions. First, the fervent; second, the troubled in spirit; and
+thirdly, the tepid. The correctness with which he assigned everyone to
+his proper place was well-nigh divine. At the time of writing the
+fervent were numerous, but they were likely to be carried away by an
+exaggerated zeal. Some of them wore chains, and were ruining their
+health with over-watchings and fastings. Francis boldly forbade this.
+He would have none of it. He spoke to such kindly and tenderly, but he
+also spoke forcibly in commending that reason which must regulate
+piety, as it regulates human life. By precise and detailed rules he
+delivered the fervent from exhausting their strength before its time,
+and thus preserved them for their work. But it was not an easy task
+that of controlling the fervent, especially when there was a spice of
+self-will in addition to the fervency.
+
+In a large community, such as Francis now had on his hands, there is
+always sure to be a large percentage of troubled ones. Francis well
+knew this, he knew that the devil was always on the alert, that trials
+without and within are the lot of every mortal. These troubled ones
+found in their leader a tower of strength. To him they poured out
+their most secret confidences. The difficulties they had with
+uncongenial brethren, their interior doubts and fears, and awful dread
+that such might one day cause them to fall away. Francis showed all
+such the sincerest compassion. They knew and felt or that he loved
+them. His sympathy was a remedy in itself. They left him cheered and
+refreshed and strengthened.
+
+Human weakness is never slow in showing itself, and the tepid were
+easily recognized. They were generally those who had made a very good
+beginning, but had allowed their zeal to cool and were becoming
+unfaithful to the grace God had given them, and to the rules of the
+Order. Francis was always gentle to these as he was gentle to all, but
+he knew how to maintain his authority--to reprove, blame, and correct.
+He followed the Divine recommendation, "If thy brother shall offend
+thee, go and rebuke him between thee and him alone." His happiness was
+complete if he could gain the tepid brother.
+
+[Sidenote: _Duty of Humility._]
+
+In the general meetings where all the brethren were assembled he dealt
+with the interests of the whole work. He was very strong at these
+times on the duty of humility.
+
+"Make yourselves small and humble to everyone," he would say, "but
+above all, be humble to the priests. The care of souls has been
+entrusted to them. We are only auxiliaries, to do what they cannot
+do." They were never to enter any field of labor without the
+invitation, or at least the consent, of the local clergy. And then,
+when they had received this permission they must never act as though
+they were masters. This policy acted well. The local clergy had no
+misgivings in seeking their assistance. They knew that these men would
+not try to make the people discontented with their own pastors, but
+rather sow content.
+
+Another spirit Francis strove to get into his followers--that was the
+spirit of tolerance. He warned them against carrying their attitude,
+in regard to riches, to excess, and to say that all men must see as
+they did or remain unsaved. Other reformers had done this and were
+extinguished. The rule of poverty was God's leading for Francis. All
+men he recognized were not called to follow this track, though some of
+his disciples, in their enthusiasm, would have it that they were. To
+them Francis said--
+
+"Do not use the sacrifices you impose upon yourselves as a weapon.
+Beware of haughty reproofs. We must show the same mercy that has been
+shown to us. The God Who has called us may also call them by-and-bye.
+I wish all that are here never to call the rich anything but brothers
+and lords. They are our brothers, since they have the same Creator as
+we, and they are our lords also because without them we could not
+persevere in the poverty that we have made our law."
+
+This spirit of tolerance was to extend to the sinners. He did not like
+to hear them berated.
+
+"Many who are the children of the devil to-day," he said, "will become
+true disciples. Perhaps they will go before us. This thought alone
+ought to keep us from all violence of language. We have been sent to
+bring back to the truth those who are ignorant and in error. That is
+our office, and one that is not accomplished by the use of cutting
+words and sharp reproaches.... It is not enough that our compassion be
+in words only. The important thing is that it should be in our deeds,
+that all who see us may, by occasion of us, praise our common Father,
+Who is in Heaven."
+
+[Sidenote: _Holiness._]
+
+He was also strong on holiness. He taught that there must be a true
+light within that shines only from a clean heart, before it can shine on
+the outer world, and without this no good work could be accomplished.
+Francis was full of the grace and wisdom of Jesus Christ. Of the
+spiritual effect of the first chapter a historian writes--
+
+"The brethren valued the gift they had received. Not one of them cared
+to talk of profane matters. They talked about the holy examples given
+by some amongst them, and sought together ways of growing in grace and
+in the knowledge of Jesus Christ."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+SOME OF FRANCIS' CONVERTS.
+
+    "Ah, the people needed helping--
+      Needed love--(for love and Heaven
+    Are the only gifts not bartered,
+      They alone are freely given)."
+
+
+It is rather a pity that there have not been more detailed accounts
+handed down to us of the converts who could point to Francis as their
+spiritual father. It would have given us yet another side of that life
+which was the most glorious spiritual light of the dark age in which
+he lived! From the few that we meet incidentally, here and there, we
+have no doubt that such documents, were they forthcoming, would be of
+immense value. But, alas, the age in which Francis lived was not an
+essentially literary one, and writing was one of the accomplishments
+left to the few! So we must therefore make the best of such scanty
+material as we have at our disposal, and try to give you an idea of
+the different species of humanity that were attracted by the kindly,
+gracious, Christ-like personality of Francis.
+
+We have seen how at first, he had no idea of his call extending any
+further than himself and his own life and conduct. Then one by one, at
+first, and more quickly afterwards, men ranged themselves under his
+standard, and claimed him as their leader. Naturally, and simply, he
+took up his new position, and the duties attached thereto. He seemed
+to know by intuition those whom God had singled out to be his
+followers, and one after another heard Francis, as the voice of God
+calling them to leave all and follow the lowly despised Christ.
+
+[Sidenote: _Soldiers in the Christian Army._]
+
+One of the first of these was a laborer named John.
+
+It was always a great grief to Francis when he saw a church left dirty
+and neglected. It gave him positive pain to think that anyone could
+neglect the House of God, and give it less care than they would their
+own homes. When he went on different preaching tours he used to call
+the priests of the locality together, and beg of them to look after
+the decency of the churches. He was not content merely to preach, but
+often he bound stalks of heather together and made himself a broom,
+and set to work and showed them an example.
+
+One day he was busily engaged in sweeping out a church when a peasant
+appeared. He had left his cart and come to see what was going on.
+After he had stared for a time, he went over to Francis and said--
+
+"Brother, let me have the broom and I will help you." He took the
+broom, and finished the church.
+
+When his task was ended, he said--
+
+"Brother, for a long time, ever since I heard men speak of you, I have
+decided to serve God. I never knew where to find you. Now it has
+pleased God that we should meet, and henceforth I will do whatever you
+command me."
+
+Francis was convinced that he would make a good friar, so he accepted
+him. This John was renowned afterwards for his piety, the other friars
+admired him greatly. He did not live very long, and after his death,
+Francis used to love to tell the story of his conversion, always
+speaking of him as Brother _Saint_ John.
+
+Angelo Tancredi was a young knight, rich, and of noble family. Francis
+met him one day in the neighbourhood of Rieti. He had never seen him
+before, he knew nothing whatever of him, but inspired by God, he went
+up to him and said--
+
+"My brother, thou hast long worn belt, sword and spurs. Henceforth thy
+belt must be a rope, thy sword the Cross of Jesus Christ, and for
+spurs thou must have dust and mud. Follow me. I will make thee a
+soldier in the Christian Army."
+
+Angelo's heart must have been prepared by God for this call, because
+we read that "the brave soldier immediately followed Francis as the
+Apostles followed our Lord."
+
+[Sidenote: _New Recruits._]
+
+Those who lived with him say that he was distinguished by a "glorious
+simplicity," meaning, no doubt, that while he accepted the humility of
+his new life, he retained something of his distinguished manners, and
+chivalrous bearing. He was a personal friend of Francis', and one to
+whom he could always unburden his soul.
+
+Guido of Cortono is said to have been a born Franciscan. Passing
+through Cortono, on a preaching tour, Francis found him ready, and
+almost waiting for him. He was a young man of singular purity of
+character. He had neither father nor mother, and lived quietly on the
+means they had left him. What was over from his income, he gave to the
+poor. After he had heard Francis preach, he went up to him and begged
+that he would come to his house, and make it his home as long as he
+stayed in Cortono. Francis consented, and as he and his companion
+followed Guido home, Francis said--
+
+"By the grace of God this young man will be one of us, and will
+sanctify himself among his fellow-citizens."
+
+After they had eaten and rested, Guido offered himself to Francis to
+be one of his disciples. Francis agreed to receive him upon condition
+that he should sell all his goods. This was done, apparently on the
+spot, for we read that the three went round the town, distributing the
+money. After this Francis conducted Guido into the Church, and there
+clothed him with the "beast" colored robe.
+
+Guido retired to a place outside the city, and became the founder of a
+branch of the work. A small monastery was built, and such of his
+converts in the locality, as were called to be friars, Guido received.
+
+Sometimes the very talk about what Francis was doing, was used of God
+to re-kindle the flame of love to Him in hearts where it had nearly
+been extinguished. Simply hearing of the crowds that were seeking
+forgiveness of sins, roused others to a sense of their eternal needs.
+Amongst this number was John Parenti.
+
+Parenti was a magistrate, a clever, thinking man, who lived in the
+neighbourhood of Florence. He had long been very careless about his
+soul, and what little religion he ever had had was fast slipping out
+of his careless hold. He had heard of Francis, and the reformation
+that was taking place in Umbria, and meditated long and deeply on all
+that he heard, wondering, no doubt, if there was really "anything in
+it," or was it not "all mere excitement." Still, he was more than ever
+convinced that he himself had very little religion to boast of.
+
+[Sidenote: _The Swine-herd and his Pigs._]
+
+One evening he was taking a walk in the country when he met a
+swine-herd. This youth was in great difficulty over his contrary
+flock. As is the nature of pigs, mediaeval or otherwise, they went in
+every direction except that in which they were wanted to go! Parenti
+stood looking on amused at the boy's efforts. With much labor at last
+he got them towards the stable door, and as they were rushing in he
+cried--
+
+"Go in, you beasts, go in as the magistrates and judges go into hell!"
+
+It was only the uncouth speech of an equally uncouth swine-herd, but
+God used it to the salvation of his soul. He began to think about the
+dangers of his profession, and the state in which he was living, and
+where he should really go to if he died. The business of salvation
+looked to him that evening as the only one worth taking up, and the
+straight and narrow road the only safe place.
+
+He went home and confided all his hopes and fears to his son. Together
+they decided that they would go and find Francis, and tell him they
+wanted to change their life. They saw Francis, and before they left
+him, they had made up their minds to become friars. They came back,
+sold all their goods, and then put on the garment of the Order.
+Parenti was a valuable acquisition to the Order, and rose to
+considerable eminence in after days.
+
+[Sidenote: _The Prince of Poets._]
+
+Perhaps one of the most remarkable of Francis' converts was Pacificus,
+as he was known in the Order. This man was a noted poet and musician.
+He was known throughout Italy as "The King of the Verses," and was
+considered to be the very prince of poets. He excelled in songs, and
+was greatly appreciated everywhere. His supremacy was so undoubted
+that several times he had received the poet's crown from the hands of
+the Emperor of Germany, that very same crown that afterwards adorned
+the brows of Petrarch and Tasso. He was visiting at San Severino when
+he met Francis.
+
+A house of "Poor Ladies" had just been founded in this place, and
+Francis was preaching in their chapel. Some friends of Pacificus had
+relatives among the "Poor Ladies," and as they were going to visit
+them they asked him to come along too. He went, and as Francis was
+preaching they stopped to hear him. The tone, and the eloquence of the
+preacher, arrested Pacificus, and he could not hide his emotion as one
+truth after another struck his conscience. Francis perceiving that one
+hearer at least was touched by his words, turned the point of his
+discourse straight at him. The longer Pacificus listened, the more he
+was convinced not only that the hand of the Lord was upon him, but
+that a great work was required of him. As soon as the sermon was over,
+he asked to speak with Francis. That conversation completely won
+Pacificus. Francis spoke to him of the judgments of God, and the
+vanities of the world.
+
+"Enough of words," cried the Poet, "let us have deeds! Withdraw me, I
+pray you, from men, and restore me to the supreme Emperor."
+
+Francis was always a lover of decision, and the next day he gave him
+the habit, and took him on to Assisi with him. Ever after this the
+poet was known as Pacificus, in memory of the peace of Christ that
+that day flowed into his soul. His life was beautiful in its
+simplicity. His historian writes, "he seemed rather to forget what he
+had been, than have to make any violent effort to force himself to a
+new life." In other words, his life "was hid with Christ in God."
+
+This conversion of Pacificus attracted a great deal of attention and
+did much towards advertising the Franciscans all over Europe.
+
+[Sidenote: _Professor Pepoli._]
+
+Professor Pepoli filled an important chair in the Bologna University.
+He was converted through the preaching of Francis in Bologna. Of this
+preaching an eye witness writes:--
+
+"I, Thomas, Archdeacon of the Cathedral Church, studying at Bologna,
+saw Francis preach in the square, where nearly the whole town was
+assembled. He spoke first of angels, and men, and devils. He explained
+the spiritual natures with such exactitude and eloquence that his
+hearers were astonished that such words could come from the mouth of
+so simple a man. Nor did he follow the usual course of preachers. His
+discourse resembles rather those harangues that are made by popular
+orators. At the conclusion he spake only of the extinction of hatred,
+and the urgency of concluding treaties of peace and compacts of union.
+His garment was soiled and torn, his person mean, his face pale, but
+God gave his words unheard of power. He even converted noblemen, whose
+unrestrained fury had bathed the country in blood, and many of them
+were reconciled."
+
+Professor Pepoli came under the spell of this preaching. A little
+later all Bologna was electrified by hearing that he was about to give
+up his professorship and become one of Francis' disciples. His friends
+did all in their power to keep him. They pointed out to him how much
+he loved his studies and the glory that was his. All in vain.
+Professor Pepoli had already been accepted by Francis.
+
+Three years later he died, greatly mourned by an entire monastery of
+which he had been the founder.
+
+If there were one class of men that Francis took more interest in than
+another, after the lepers, it was the thieves and robbers that
+abounded all over Europe. One day a number of them came begging at the
+monastery. Angelo Tancredi opened the door to them and, true to his
+soldierly instincts, was very wroth at their impudence.
+
+[Sidenote: _The Robbers._]
+
+"What!" he cried, "Robbers, evil-doers, assassins, have you no shame
+for stealing the goods of others, but would you devour the goods of
+the servants of God? You who are not worthy to live, and respect
+neither men or God. Get you hence, and never let me see you here
+again!"
+
+The robbers departed, full of rage. Francis next appeared close on
+their heels, carrying with him some bread and wine that had been given
+to him. Angelo told him of the impudence of the robbers, and how he
+had served them. To his surprise, Francis was much grieved at his
+conduct, and reproved him for his cruelty.
+
+"Go at once," he said, "and take this bread and wine and seek those
+robbers till you have found them, and offer them this bread from me,
+then ask their pardon, and pray them in my name to no longer do wrong,
+but fear God."
+
+Angelo departed, while Francis stayed at home and prayed for the
+success of his undertaking. The robbers were found, and Angelo brought
+them back to the monastery where they not only sought the pardon of
+their sins, but became friars, and lived and died in true holiness.
+
+One day Francis and some of the friars were passing round the foot of
+a great castle. It was evident there was some festival going on
+inside! The banner of the house floated over the gates, and the sound
+of trumpets were heard half over the country-side. The young Count of
+Montefeltro was about to be knighted.
+
+"Come," said Francis, suddenly inspired, "let us go to the Castle, and
+with God's help perhaps we may make some spiritual knight."
+
+As soon as the ceremony was ended, and the company began to pour out
+into the courtyard, Francis stood up on a low wall and began to
+preach. He spoke of the worthlessness of all earthly pleasures
+compared to the heavenly ones. He showed what the love of God could do
+in the human soul, pointing them to the apostles and martyrs as
+illustration, and contrasting the chivalry of the Christian heroes
+with that which was human glory only. It was an appropriate subject,
+and the people listened attentively.
+
+Amongst the audience was a valiant knight, Count Orlando, Lord of
+Chiusi. Immediately after the sermon, he went to Francis and said--
+
+"I should like to talk to you about the salvation of my soul."
+
+"Most willingly," replied Francis, always courteous, "but this is not
+quite a fitting moment. You must honor those who have invited you.
+First go and dine with them, and after the repast we will converse at
+leisure."
+
+Count Orlando did so, and returning to Francis they talked together.
+Very soon Orlando was happier than he had ever been in his life
+before, because he knew that his sins were all pardoned. Before he
+parted with Francis he said--
+
+"I have in my domains a mountain called La Vernia. It is exactly
+suited to men who wish to live in solitude. If it please thee I will
+give it to thee most willingly."
+
+Francis accepted the offer, and the mountain was used as a place where
+the brethren could go to pray, and rest when worn out with the fatigue
+of their work. It was really a huge plateau on top of a steep
+mountain, covered with trees. Amongst these, some little cells were
+constructed, and a quieter, more restful place it would be hard to
+imagine.
+
+[Sidenote: _The Peasant's Advice._]
+
+It was when Francis was climbing this mountain once, that a peasant,
+who took him up on his ass, asked him--
+
+"Are you the Francis of Assisi that is so much talked of?"
+
+"Yes," said Francis, "I am."
+
+"Well," responded the man, "You will have hard work to be as good as
+they say you are. They have such confidence in you, it is difficult
+for you to be equal to it, at least that is _my_ opinion."
+
+Francis was charmed with this opinion, and thanked the man for his
+charitable advice, but before that journey was ended, the peasant was
+convinced that Francis was as good as "they" said he was.
+
+Our readers must not imagine that Francis' converts were all men. Far
+from it. Many women, besides Clara and Agnes, had to thank God that he
+ever came their way and taught them how to love and serve God.
+
+[Sidenote: "_Our Brother Jacqueline!_"]
+
+There was Jacqueline. She was of noble family, and though she did not
+leave the world like Clara, yet she served the cause right nobly. She
+was a most unusual woman for her times. We are told that "she was not
+afraid of business!" She went in person and treated with the
+Benedictines, and induced them to give up certain buildings in favor
+of the Friars Minor. All her riches and influence she put at the
+disposal of the Franciscans, who had no more active patron than
+Jacqueline. Francis used to call her jokingly "our brother
+Jacqueline!"
+
+On one of the last tours Francis was able to make, he suffered much
+from pain and depression. To cheer him, says a historian, God gave him
+a piece of work to do for Him. He was passing through a place called
+Voluisiano, when a young lady, the wife of the baron of the place, ran
+after him. When she caught up with him she was very much out of
+breath. Francis looked at her with interest, and asked--
+
+"What can I do for you, Madam?"
+
+"I want you to bless me," she said.
+
+"Are you married?" went on Francis.
+
+"Oh, yes," said the girl, "and my husband is very stern. He sets
+himself against my serving Jesus Christ. He is my great trouble. I
+have received a right will from Heaven, and I cannot follow it on
+account of him. Will you pray that God may soften his heart?"
+
+"My daughter," Francis said in great compassion, "Go, I am assured
+your husband will become your consolation. Tell him this from God and
+me, 'Now is the time of salvation, recompense will surely come.'"
+
+Then he gave her his blessing.
+
+The lady went home, and finding her husband, gave him Francis'
+message. The Spirit of God carried it to his inmost soul.
+
+"He is right," he said to his wife, "Let us serve God together, and
+save our souls in our own house!"
+
+"The Lord be praised," cried his wife, and together they thanked God
+for the gift of His wonderful salvation. They lived for a great many
+years in godliness and holiness, and passed away to be with Christ,
+the one in the morning and the other in the evening of the same day.
+
+[Sidenote: _A Catalogue of Names._]
+
+Other equally interesting incidents, we have no doubt cluster round
+what, unfortunately, the historians present to us in the form of a
+catalogue of mere names.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XIII.
+
+THE STORY OF THE MARTYRS.
+
+    "God the Father, give us grace
+    To walk in the light of Jesu's Face.
+    God the Son, give us a part,
+    In the hiding place of Jesu's Heart.
+    God the Spirit, so hold us up,
+    That we may drink of Jesu's Cup."
+
+
+They were five in number. Their names were Berard, Peter, Otho,
+Adjutorius, and Accurtius. When they first started out for Morocco, a
+sixth, Vital, was with them, but at an early stage of the journey he
+fell sick, and rather than the mission should be delayed on his
+account he insisted on their leaving him behind. He never recovered,
+but died about the same time as his brothers were martyred.
+
+About these martyrs historians are divided in their minds. Some say
+that they were foolish and extreme and courted persecution, others
+declare that they were animated by the Holy Ghost, and others that it
+was a part of God's great plan for the encouraging of the Franciscan
+movement. Certain it is, that in their case, the blood thus spilled
+was fruitful, and brought to life rich fruit, and we have no doubt
+that to-day they are among that mighty throng who are clothed in white
+raiment, and bear palms in their hands, who on earth "counted not
+their life dear to them." The memory of such souls is always fragrant,
+and supreme love, even though it may appear ill-regulated, is better
+than a tepid affection which is unworthy the name.
+
+The five travelled by way of Portugal, where they were well received.
+At Seville they stopped in the house of a Christian merchant for eight
+days, which time they spent in prayer. At the end of the eight days
+they informed the gentleman why they had come, and further said that
+they were about to commence a little preaching in Seville. Seville was
+at this period in the hands of the Moors. The poor merchant was
+utterly horrified at their proposals, he threw every obstacle in their
+way, telling them that they would do no good, and only make it hard
+for the Christian merchants who were allowed to trade there! Needless
+to say, such worldly reasoning had no effect upon the disciples of
+Francis.
+
+[Sidenote: _Preaching in at Mosque._]
+
+Their first attempt was, of all places, in a mosque! While the Moors
+were engaged in devotion one day, they were electrified to hear a loud
+voice proclaim to them Jesus Crucified. They immediately rose up and
+drove the intruders out with blows and curses. The five next repaired
+to a larger mosque, and sought to obtain a hearing there. Again they
+were thrown out. Then a brilliant idea occurred to the leader, Berard.
+
+"We will go to the King," he said. "If we gain him, the victory over
+the others will be easy!"
+
+In spite of all difficulties, they managed to gain admission to the
+Court, and present their plea. The King was enraged at their audacity,
+and ordered them to be scourged and beheaded, which was the summary
+mode in which justice was dealt out in that era. If it had not been
+for the intercession of the King's son, this sentence would have been
+carried into effect, as it was they were taken away and imprisoned in
+a tower.
+
+A few hours later all Seville gathered to see a strange sight! There,
+on top of the prison tower, stood the five, brown-robed, bare-footed
+strangers, singing with all their might praises to the one true God!
+They were then taken and thrust into the darkest and deepest dungeon.
+But as solitary confinement was unknown then, they found that they had
+a congregation all ready to listen to them, and, as long as they
+stayed there, they never ceased to preach repentance to the prisoners.
+
+They were not left in prison very long. The King sent for them again,
+and began by coaxing them to leave off preaching. He promised them
+riches and honor, if they would only stop talking about Jesus Christ.
+They thanked him courteously, and Berard said--
+
+"Would to God, noble prince, you would show mercy to yourself! You
+need it more than we do. Treat us as you will, you can, at the utmost,
+only deprive us of life, and that is a matter of little moment to us
+who hope for eternal joys!"
+
+What to do with these strange men the King did not know! Their courage
+and heroism he could not but admire, still they were very dangerous.
+After a consultation with his officers, they decided that the best
+thing to be done was to get them quietly out of the country.
+Accordingly they were placed in a vessel bound to Morocco. This exile
+filled the five with joy! At last they were to begin work in an
+infidel country!
+
+[Sidenote: _Don Pedro._]
+
+Now, Don Pedro, the brother of King Alphonso of Portugal, a nominal
+Christian, had had some kind of a dispute with the King, in consequence
+of which he had come to live in Morocco. Notwithstanding his Christianity,
+he had been placed at the head of a Mussulman army. To him the
+missionaries repaired. By this time their personal appearance was
+anything but improved. Suffering and imprisonment had done their work,
+their faces were wan and thin, and their garments were all but in rags.
+Nevertheless, Don Pedro received them kindly, and promised to befriend
+them. He warned them against being too extreme, cautioned them to
+moderation, and begged that they would not expose themselves to danger.
+
+But Don Pedro knew nothing about that love, which is as fire in the
+bones, and is strong as death; so strong that no barriers can keep it
+within bounds. The next morning found the missionaries hard at work.
+They had learned that there was going to be some kind of a public
+procession through the town as the King was going to visit the tomb of
+his ancestors.
+
+[Sidenote: _Prison and Torture._]
+
+A procession to the five meant people, a concourse of sinners and
+infidels, a glorious opportunity, and if they did not make the best of
+it, they would be unworthy the name they bore. Just as the King was
+passing, Berard, who could speak Arabic, mounted a cart and began to
+preach. Instead of stopping when the royal train passed, as a
+Mussulman would have done, he waxed more vehement. To the King this
+seemed either insolence or madness, and having charitably decided on
+madness, he ordered the missionaries to be banished. Don Pedro, who by
+this time had had enough of his troublesome guests, gave them an
+escort to the nearest seaport, and hurried their departure. Again he
+reckoned without his host. It was to the Moors the five were sent to
+preach, and to the Moors they were bound to go, so they escaped from
+their escort, returned to Morocco, and began to preach again in the
+streets.
+
+This was too much for the King, and he had them thrown into the vilest
+of dungeons, where for several weeks they languished in great misery,
+with barely enough to eat. One of the nobles of the Court who was
+secretly inclined to the Friars, advised the King to let them out, but
+place them under proper care. This was done, and they were handed over
+to the unfortunate Don Pedro, who was far from cheerful at seeing them
+back again. He was about to start off on a military expedition into
+the interior, and not daring to leave his awkward charge behind, he
+took them with him. Nothing much is known of their doings till they
+got back again to Morocco, whereupon they began their preaching again
+without any more delay. Yet again the King commanded that they should
+be thrown into prison, and this time they were sentenced to torture.
+Albozaida was the name of the officer who was to carry out this
+sentence. In his heart he pitied and admired the missionaries, and
+notwithstanding the order he had received, he merely had them shut up,
+and begged of the King to pardon them. But it was no use. The King was
+very angry, and demanded that his will be carried out without delay.
+So there was nothing for Albozaida to do but to hand them over to the
+executioner.
+
+[Sidenote: _The End._]
+
+Alas for them! this man was a renegade Christian, and no torture was
+too great for him to inflict upon them. They were dragged through the
+streets with cords round their necks, they were beaten, they were
+rolled over pieces of glass and broken tiles, and when evening came,
+vinegar was poured into their open wounds, lest the night should bring
+too much cessation from pain. But they smiled at pain, and praised God
+in the midst of the greatest tortures. This treatment failing to kill
+them, the King desired to see them again. He spoke to them at first as
+though he had never seen them before.
+
+"Are you the impious men who despise the true faith, the madmen who
+blaspheme the Prophet of the Lord?" he said.
+
+"Oh King," they replied, "far from despising the true faith, we are
+ready to die for it. It is true that our faith is not your faith."
+
+The King did not appear to be displeased with this bold statement. He
+had another argument at hand. He sent for a number of richly-dressed
+women, and presenting them to the missionaries he said, "If you will
+follow the law of Mahomet, I will give you these women for wives, and
+you shall have positions of honor and power in my kingdom. If not, you
+shall die by the sword!"
+
+"Prince," they answered, "We want neither your women nor your honors.
+Be such things yours, and Jesus Christ ours. Make us suffer all your
+tortures, kill us. Pain will be light to us. We look to Heaven!"
+
+Maddened by his own insufficiency the King got up, seized a sword, and
+cleft their heads as though he were but a common executioner. Thus
+perished the first Franciscan Martyrs.
+
+And did they accomplish nothing? Was their mission an utter failure,
+as some historians write it? Let us see for ourselves.
+
+As soon as the missionaries had been killed, the mob took their
+bodies, and dragged them in the mire, and horribly mutilated them.
+However, Don Pedro, who up till now had been but a very poor
+representative of the Church of Christ, was deeply touched by the
+death of the five, and his once half-sleeping conscience was awakened
+into activity. He got possession of the battered bodies, and
+resolving that he would have nothing further to do with the enemies of
+Christianity, took them, and went back to his own country. As soon as
+he arrived at Coimbra, King Alphonse came out to meet him, and with
+great rejoicing the remains of the Missionary Martyrs were carried to
+the Church.
+
+[Sidenote: _Fernandez._]
+
+Amongst those who followed in the train of the king was a young man
+some twenty-five years old, of noble family, named Fernandez. This
+young man was tremendously stirred by the story of the martyred five.
+Their life and death spoke to his soul as nothing had ever done
+before, he longed to follow in their steps. He had a great deal of
+conversation with certain Franciscans who lived in a settlement hut
+outside the town. They came sometimes and begged at his door, and he
+used to question them.
+
+One day he said--
+
+"If I became one of you, would you send me to the country of the
+Saracens, that like your holy martyrs I might shed my blood for the
+faith?"
+
+They replied, saying, it was the wish of Francis that his people
+should go and preach to the infidels.
+
+"If that is so," said Fernandez, "bring me the habit of your Order and
+let me put it on."
+
+Without any pomp or ceremony Fernandez put on the coarse robe, changed
+his name to that of Anthony, and, bidding good-bye to his family,
+joined the Franciscans. To go into all the details of his story would
+take too much space, but Fernandez became one of the shining lights of
+the Franciscan movement, and many rose up to call him blessed!
+
+[Sidenote: _Father of Souls._]
+
+He went to Africa, but it was not God's will that he should labor
+there. A violent fever reduced him to such a degree of weakness that
+he had to leave the country. He set sail, meaning to return to his
+native land and get restored in body, but a storm drove the vessel on
+to the coast of Italy. He preached there for a time and then went on
+to the Portiuncula, where Francis was presiding over a gathering of
+the brethren. There God showed him that Africa and a martyr's crown
+were not for him, and cheerfully accepting the work that God meant for
+him, he became the father of thousands of souls.
+
+        Oh, what, if we are Christ's,
+        Is earthly shame or loss?
+    Bright shall the crown of glory be,
+        When we have borne the cross.
+
+        Keen was the trial once,
+        Bitter the cup of woe,
+    When martyred saints, baptized in blood,
+        Christ's sufferings shared below.
+
+        Bright is their glory now,
+        Boundless their joy above,
+    Where, on the bosom of their God,
+        They rest in perfect love.
+
+        Lord! may that grace be ours,
+        Like them in faith to bear
+    All that of sorrow, grief, or pain,
+        May be our portion here!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+FIRST FOREIGN MISSIONS.
+
+    "They are gone where Love is frozen, and Faith grown calm and cold,
+    Where the world is all triumphant, and the sheep have left the fold,
+    Where His children scorn His blessings, and His sacred shrine
+      despise."
+
+
+It was about the time of the first chapter that Francis began to feel
+drawn to foreign fields. The Franciscans had now spread all over
+Italy, and there was a general desire shown by the brethren to extend
+their ministrations outside that country. It would appear that at its
+close, a small number of the brethren were sent out to evangelize the
+various countries of Europe, Portugal, Hungary, Germany, etc.
+
+For himself Francis had a larger and more daring scheme.
+
+It was the time of the Crusades. All Christian Europe was bending its
+energies to wrest the tomb of our Saviour out of the hands of the
+Saracens. Band after band of Crusaders had marched into the Sultan's
+territory--to suffer defeat and death. Francis was too much of a
+soldier and knight not be stirred by the tales of bravery and daring
+which were rife everywhere. But he had his own opinions.
+
+"Is there not," he asked himself, "a more beautiful way of gaining the
+desired end? Why all this bloodshed? why this wholesale hurrying of
+men to perdition? why all this strife between the children of one
+Father? Why has no one ever tried to gain these infidels over on
+Christ's side? How many lives might be spared, and what an increase
+there would be for His Church if they succeeded!"
+
+It was a noble thought, and one worthy of Francis. The more he
+pondered these matters the more convinced he became that it was his
+duty to put his ideas into practice. He told some of the brethren his
+purpose, and they, convinced that God led him, made no objection, and
+in a very short time he was ready to begin his difficult and dangerous
+undertaking. Peter of Cantani was appointed to take the government of
+the Order during his absence.
+
+Francis, and his companion, whose name we are not told, embarked at
+Ancona. How they got their passage without any money we do not know,
+but it is evident that they managed it somehow. When they were well
+out to sea, such a storm arose as caused them to seek refuge on the
+coast of Illyria. It was supposed at first that the delay would only
+be one of a few weeks, but the stormy weather persistently continuing,
+it soon became evident that it would be impossible to cross the Levant
+at that season of the year. This was a great disappointment to
+Francis, but he was far from being discouraged. He determined to
+return to Ancona. A vessel was about to sail, and he presented himself
+as a passenger, but as he had no money they refused to take him on
+board.
+
+[Sidenote: _A Dilemma!_]
+
+Here was a dilemma! But help was at hand. One of the ship's officers,
+a good man, was touched by the harshness with which the missionaries
+were treated, so he went to Francis and told him that he would take
+them on board. He conducted them down into the hold, and hid them
+behind some horses there. Hardly had they been deposited when an
+unknown friend brought an enormous basket of provisions, and, giving
+it to their benefactor, said--
+
+"Take this, take great care of it, and as the need arises, distribute
+it to the poor brethren you have hidden."
+
+The need soon arose. Another fearful storm beat the vessel about to
+such an extent that the voyage was prolonged far beyond the usual
+limit. Provisions were exhausted and a famine threatened the unhappy
+crew. Then Francis, hearing of the distress, crept out from among the
+horses, explained his presence, and said that he had food which he
+would be glad to share with them. The legend tells us that the food
+was miraculously made to last the voyage; the real fact was probably
+that the basket contained large supplies of beans, and lentils, and
+macaroni, and such Italian foods that swell in the cooking, and go a
+long way.
+
+[Sidenote: _In Spain._]
+
+Arriving at Ancona, Francis began to preach. He had a wonderful time,
+and a great number of clerics and laymen joined the Order. Part of
+them Francis took with him to the Portiuncula, and offered them to God
+as the price of his failure! After watching over them for a few weeks,
+he left them in good hands, and turned his attention again to foreign
+mission work. The east had been closed to him, but that was no reason
+why the west should not open. The enemies of the Christians were as
+powerful in Spain and North Africa, as in Egypt and the Holy Land. The
+infidels had just been defeated in battle, and all Europe was talking
+about the victory gained at Las Navas Tolva. The heart of Francis
+mourned over these defeated ones. "Supposing they had been defeated,"
+he argued, "their natures were still unchanged, their souls were still
+unsaved." He began to question if their need was not his call. He
+thought he heard them crying, "Pass over and help us!" He offered
+himself to God for this work, and, taking with him his well-beloved
+Bernardo di Quintavelle, set out for Spain. He had another rough
+experience of the sea, but this time he reached his goal without any
+mishap.
+
+It was autumn when they landed in Spain, and without loss of time,
+they set off for the interior. At the outset of the journey, a little
+incident occurred which, though unpleasant at the time, God over-ruled
+for good. They were passing a vineyard, and Bernardo, who was very
+thirsty, plucked a bunch of grapes to refresh himself with. This was
+quite an allowable action in Italy, but Spain appeared to have a
+different code of morals, and one of the servants of the owner seized
+Bernardo, called him a rogue and a thief, and insisted upon his paying
+for what he had taken. Bernardo explained that he had no idea of
+doing wrong, and that he did not possess the smallest piece of money.
+The man snatched at his mantle, and said that would have to pay for
+it. But Francis, without discussing the matter with the servant,
+insisted upon seeing the owner of the vineyard. To him he explained
+the state of affairs; the mantle was given back, Bernardo was
+apologized to, and the good Spaniard did even more, he offered his
+services to Francis, and threw open his house, which became a sort of
+hostelry for the Order, and any brother was always welcome, night or
+day, to the best that there was.
+
+[Sidenote: _The Will of the Lord._]
+
+Francis' intention was to go straight to the Mussulmans. He even
+talked of reaching Morocco. But God led him to stay in Spain longer
+than he had expected. People were converted everywhere, and branches
+of the work were established. Who took charge of these new ventures we
+are not told; doubtless friars from Italy were sent there.
+
+Just as he began to see his way clear to go to the Mussulmans, he was
+seized with a violent fever. For some time he lay between life and
+death, and when at last he began to get well, it was perfectly evident
+that there could be no talk of his going to Morocco. Always submissive,
+Francis accepted this as the will of the Lord and returned to Italy. The
+reason why he was led back to the Portiuncula at that particular time
+seemed to him quite plain afterwards; for, when he got there, he found a
+number of learned and noble men waiting to offer themselves to him.
+
+Exactly what Francis did after this is not quite clear. Probably he
+preached round about the North of Italy, and visited the various
+branches of the work, instructing novices, and establishing fresh
+centres. At the beginning of the next year we find him attending a
+conference in Rome, respecting the recovery of the Holy Land. While
+here, he met Dominic for the first time. Dominic was the founder of
+another kind of Friar Order. He conceived a great admiration for
+Francis, and tried very hard to get him to consent to amalgamate the
+two. This Francis never would consent to do, and the two always
+remained distinct.
+
+[Sidenote: _Ugolin's Visit._]
+
+The decision of the conference was that the Pope himself should lead a
+crusade into the Holy Land. He left Rome in May, and passed through the
+valley of Assisi, where Francis was presiding over a general Chapter. At
+Perugia he was taken ill with fever. One of his near relatives, Cardinal
+Ugolino, accompanied him. This man had heard a great deal about Francis
+from Cardinal Paul, who had just died, and he thought that now would be
+a good chance to see for himself. Accordingly, followed by his
+magnificent suite, he travelled back to Assisi. All he saw filled him
+with wonder; it bore to him the mark of true holiness. What struck him
+most was the poverty of it the brethren. He had no idea they carried it
+so far. He went through the roughly constructed cells, saw the beds made
+of straw, more like the lairs of wild animals, and he could not restrain
+his tears.
+
+"Alas!" he cried to those who were with him, "what will become of us
+who need so many superfluities in our lives!"
+
+Ugolino did not stop there. He felt impelled to offer himself to fill
+the place of Cardinal Paul as Protector of the Order.
+
+"I offer myself to you," he said to Francis; "if you wish it, I will
+be your helper, counsellor, and support!"
+
+Francis first of all thanked God, and then he answered, "It is with
+all my heart I salute you, the father and Protector of our religion. I
+wish all my brothers to you consider you as such!"
+
+There are some historians who declare that this friendship--for a very
+real friendship sprang up between Francis and Ugolino--was no
+advantage to the Order, but rather harmed it. There is no evidence of
+this among the best authorities; they lean rather to a contrary
+opinion, and we are inclined to believe ourselves that the Order would
+never have developed as it did but for Cardinal Ugolino. He went back
+and told the Pope what he had seen, and the old man rejoiced greatly.
+It was the last joy he had on earth, for he died a few days later.
+
+[Sidenote: _Growth of the Order._]
+
+Time went on, the Order spread and spread till it was impossible for
+one man to do justice to the whole. To meet the growing need for
+oversight, Italy was divided into several provinces, these provinces
+were to be directed by brothers who were called "Ministers" or
+"Provincial Servants." Francis named Peter Catani for Umbria, Elias
+for Tuscany, Bennet of Arezzo for the Marches of Ancona, John of
+Stracchai for Lombardy, Daniel for Calabria. Then it was also decided
+that Bernardo di Quintavelle was to take charge of Spain, and John of
+Penna, Germany. Francis himself was to take France, a land he had
+always been especially drawn to. It was through the intervention of
+Ugolino that he forewent this mission. Francis stopped at Florence on
+his way to tell him of his journey. Ugolino saw what Francis could not
+see, that in view of all their new ventures he could not afford to
+leave the country just then. Francis argued that he could not stay at
+home in safety and let the brothers go abroad on dangerous missions,
+it would raise talk. Ugolino wanted to know if Italy wasn't big enough
+for him. Francis replied that God had raised them up for the good of
+the whole world.
+
+"Perhaps so," said Ugolino, "but in any case _you_ cannot go away yet
+without imprudence. Your Order is only just started, you know the
+opposition it met with at first; its enemies are not yet disarmed, and
+your presence is necessary to defend and maintain it."
+
+Francis saw that Ugolino spoke wisely, and he gave in and stayed at
+home. For some time he was the guest of the Cardinal, and their mutual
+liking for each other was greatly increased. The more Ugolino saw of
+Francis the more he loved him, and though he could not see eye to eye
+with him in everything at first, he eventually came round to his ways.
+As much as possible Francis lived his simple manner of life in the
+Cardinals palace. He prayed and meditated, he went out to preach and
+to beg, and he even brought back his alms into the palace! One day
+there were a great many people at the table, and Francis was eating
+the scraps he had begged. Some of the guests began to joke him about
+it, but Francis maintained that his food was angels' bread, and if
+they liked he would share it with them. All--prelates, knights and
+nobles--accepted willingly, some ate their portion, others put it by
+to keep as a memento. But Ugolino was a little hurt. He took Francis
+aside and said--
+
+[Sidenote: _A Quarrel._]
+
+"Ah, my brother, wherefore all this begging; you hurt me. Do you not
+know that my house is yours and your brethren's?"
+
+"My lord," answered Francis, "I have not affronted you; I think I have
+honored you by imitating in your house our Lord Jesus Christ who
+taught us to love poverty. For, indeed, I mean only to follow the
+footsteps of my Master!"
+
+The Cardinal bowed his head.
+
+"Do, my brother, what seems good to you," he said, "the Lord is with
+you!"
+
+This visit of Francis' to Florence resulted in the establishment of a
+large convent on the borders of Tuscany and Umbria. This is how it
+came about. The powerful family of the lords of Baschi were divided.
+The three sons were in open rebellion on account of questions of
+personal interest, and they were doing their best to drag into this
+quarrel the numerous friends of their clients and vassals. It was
+plain to be seen that bloodshed would be the outcome. Francis was very
+much grieved when he heard of this dissension, and felt that he must
+do his best to stop it. Accordingly, he visited the three brothers,
+Ugolino, Buonconte and Ranicu, in turn, and entreated them in the name
+of Christ to desist. He succeeded in accomplishing his end, they laid
+down their arms, amicably settled the vexed question, and a charter of
+reconciliation was drawn up. Then, wishing to show their gratitude to
+Francis, they presented him with a beautiful hill, and, building a
+monastery on it, begged of him to send friars to establish a work
+there.
+
+A little later, the Cardinal presided over what was known as the
+"Chapter of Mats," so called because the brothers lived under little
+tents made of matting. He was very much surprised at all he saw, and
+said he never expected to find a well-disciplined army! This was a
+very important Chapter, and many new Provinces were formed. It was
+conducted very much like the preceding ones.
+
+[Sidenote: _Failure of the German Mission._]
+
+It was either in the middle or just before this Chapter, that the
+German-Hungarian expedition returned. Their mission had been an utter
+failure! When questioned as to the reason of this failure, they
+answered, unanimously--
+
+"No one knows us; our dress, our loneliness, excite distrust. The
+clergy have united to drive us away, they called us heretics, and left
+us without defence or protection. We fell into the hands of wicked men
+and thieves, who ill-treated us; we had to come away!"
+
+This sounded very badly, but the explanation of it lay in the fact
+that they did not understand the language of the people they went to!
+How it happened that they were sent, not knowing the language, we
+cannot say. Perhaps Francis thought that French and Italian would be
+spoken, or, at least, understood in these countries, or it may be he
+expected them to be endowed with the gift of tongues. Those who went
+to Germany knew but one word of the language, "ja"--"yes." In the
+first town they entered they attracted a great deal of notice, and
+people asked them if they would like food and a lodging. They did not
+understand a word of what was said, but they smiled and said "ja."
+Finding themselves well treated, they determined to use this
+expression on all occasions.
+
+Unfortunately, the next one asked them if they were heretics, and had
+come to Germany to preach an evil doctrine. When they again smiled and
+answered "ja," to their grief and amazement, they were cast into
+prison, and after having been ill-treated for some time, were driven
+out of the country.
+
+At the close of the "Chapter of Mats," Francis announced that he was
+about to proceed to Egypt to preach to the Sultan. Ugolino had decided
+that things were now on such a solid foundation that he could with
+safety leave the Order while he took this long journey.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+FRANCIS' VISIT TO THE SULTAN. DISCOURAGEMENTS.
+
+          "I must not fail
+    Nor be discouraged. In the work of God
+    No man may turn or falter."
+
+
+Francis and his companion Illuminato set out for Egypt with the
+intention of making straight for the Sultan. They travelled with one
+of the Crusading parties, which, by a curious coincidence, was
+commanded by John of Brienne, brother to that Walter of Brienne whom
+Francis would have enlisted under, only God sent him back to his
+native town! That Francis made a good impression upon the Crusaders we
+know, for one of their number writes of him:--
+
+"We saw Brother Francis, Founder of the Order of Minors, arrive; he is
+a simple man, but very lovable, and dear to God as well as to men, and
+is much respected by all."
+
+The impression the Crusaders made upon Francis was not so favorable!
+There was a great deal of discord among them. The Knights looked down on
+the men-at-arms, and the men-at-arms called the Knights treacherous.
+Francis had grave doubts as to the result of _their_ expedition from the
+beginning. Immediately upon landing, the Crusaders had planned to do
+battle with the Saracens. This line of action was totally opposed to
+Francis' ideas of Christianity.
+
+"I know, by a revelation of the Lord," he said to Illuminato, "that
+they will be defeated in this attempt. If I tell them so, they will
+treat me as a madman; and, on the other hand, if I do not tell them my
+conscience will condemn me. What do you think I ought to do?"
+
+"My brother," said Illuminato, who was a man of virtue and
+intelligence, "what does the world's judgment matter to you? If they
+say you are mad, it will not be the first time they have said so! Do
+not burden your conscience; fear God rather than man!"
+
+So Francis was true to his conscience, and warned the Crusaders, but
+they laughed him to scorn! They rushed into a battle, and were utterly
+defeated. Six thousand Christians were killed or taken prisoners.
+During the battle Francis was very anxious and unhappy, and often he
+wept bitterly for those whom he had tried to save!
+
+Now that force had failed, Francis felt that his time had come. He
+would go to the Sultan. The Crusaders, what were left of them, in
+their turn, tried to dissuade him. They told him that he could not get
+from one camp to another without being killed, and that the Sultan had
+offered a golden reward to anyone who would bring the head of a
+Christian. He replied that he did not fear death, and would make the
+attempt. First though, before he set out, he went to one of the
+Cardinals who were with the Crusaders, and told him what he proposed
+doing. A contemporary writer preserves for us this interview. He
+writes, probably in a letter to some friend--
+
+[Sidenote: _Two Clerks._]
+
+"Now I must tell you that two Clerks (Francis and Illuminato) were in
+the Army, and they came to the Cardinal. They said that they would go
+to the Sultan to preach, and they wished to go with his leave. The
+Cardinal said they should not go with his leave, for he knew well if
+they went they would not escape. Still they said, would he suffer them
+to go, and much they prayed him. Then, when he heard that they had so
+great a mind to go, he said thus: 'I do not know your thoughts at all,
+but beware if you go that your thoughts are always to God.' They said
+they only wished to go for great good, if they could accomplish it.
+Then the Cardinal said they could go if they wished, and they departed
+from the Christian host into the host of the Saracens."
+
+Francis was full of confidence. As he travelled he sang, "Though I
+walk in the midst of shadows of death, I fear no evil." On his way he
+met two little sheep. This sight gave him much cheer.
+
+"Be of good comfort," he said to Illuminato, "it is the accomplishment
+of the words of the Gospel, 'Behold I send you as sheep in the midst
+of wolves.'"
+
+[Sidenote: _The Saracens._]
+
+And the wolves were not very far behind. They appeared in the shape of
+some Saracen soldiers, who taking them at first for refugees or envoys
+let them go quietly on, but when they found out that the brethren had
+no message and that they not only refused to give up the Christian
+religion, but had come to preach it, they abused them and loaded them
+with chains. Francis never lost his presence of mind. He knew one word
+of Arabic, and that was "Soldan"--Sultan. As the soldiers beat him he
+cried lustily "Soldan, Soldan," and they understood that he wanted to
+be taken to their Chief.
+
+The Sultan was called by the Arabs, Malek-Camel, or the "Perfect
+Prince." He was very far from being a perfect character, but for a
+Mussulman, he was not ferocious. When Francis and Illuminato came
+before him they saluted him. Malek-Camel saluted them, and asked if
+they wished to become Saracens, or had they come with a message.
+
+"Saracens we will never be," they said, "but we have come with a
+message from God that will save your life. For we say that if you die
+under this law you are lost, and for that we have come to you, and if
+you will listen to us we will show you that you are lost!"
+
+The Sultan said meekly that he had very good Archbishops and Bishops
+of his own.
+
+"Of this we are glad," the missionaries replied, "send and fetch
+them."
+
+So the Sultan actually sent and fetched eight. He told them what they
+were wanted for, and repeated to them his conversation with Francis.
+But there was no mercy in this quarter.
+
+"Sire," they said, "thou art expert in the law and art bound to
+maintain and guard it; we command thee by Mahomet, who gave it to us,
+that their heads be cut off. We will hear nothing that they say, we
+command thee to have their heads cut off." With that final decision
+they filed solemnly away, leaving Francis, Illuminato and the Sultan
+alone.
+
+"Seigneurs," the Sultan said, "they have commanded me by Mahomet and
+the law to have your heads cut off. This the law commands. But I will
+go against the law, for else I should render thee a very poor reward
+for having risked death to save my soul."
+
+In a second interview he had with them he promised them possessions
+and lands if they would only stay with him!
+
+"Yes," said Francis, "if you will be converted, with your people I
+will gladly remain." Then, a bright idea striking him, he went on--
+
+[Sidenote: _Trial by Fire!_]
+
+"Your priests will not talk with me, perhaps they would be more ready
+to act. Have a great fire lighted, I will go into the fire with them,
+and you will see by the result which faith is the surest and holiest."
+
+When Francis had begun this speech there were a number of priests
+standing round about, but before he had finished they had quietly
+taken themselves off! The idea filled them with horror! The Sultan
+perceiving their absence, remarked sarcastically--
+
+"I do not think that any of _my_ priests are inclined to face flames
+and torture for the defence of their faith."
+
+Francis couldn't understand how anybody with a real faith could refuse
+to have it tested! He offered to go into the fire alone, and if he
+were burnt it was to be considered due to his sins, but if God
+protected him, the Sultan was to own Him as Supreme. But the Sultan
+would not hear of any such trial. He was amazed and astonished at the
+absolute faith and trust of the man before him.
+
+With this refusal Francis retired. He was followed by rich presents
+from the Sultan, all of which were promptly returned. The Sultan
+begged of him to take them for his Churches and Order, but Francis
+persisted in his refusal, and seeing that there was no germ of real
+religion in the Sultan's heart, he returned to the Crusaders' Camp.
+He was heavy and sore in soul because he felt his mission to be a
+failure.
+
+[Sidenote: _Victory._]
+
+But if he had failure in one direction, he had victory in another. The
+news of his visit to the Sultan spread, and wherever he was, people
+flocked to see and hear him, and recruits such as he had never
+expected, began to gather round him. The following fragment of a
+letter written by one of the Crusaders to a friend, shows us how they
+regarded his work.
+
+"Master Regnier, Prior of St. Michael's, has entered the Order of
+Friars Minor. This Order is making rapid progress in the world,
+because it exactly reproduces the form of the Primitive Church, and
+closely imitates the life of the Apostles. The Superior of these
+brethren is Brother Francis, a man of such goodness that we all hold
+him in veneration. After he came among us, so great was his zeal that
+he did not fear to go into the Army of our enemies, and preach, during
+several days, the Word of God to the Saracens. He had not much
+success, but on his departure, the Sultan King of Egypt asked him
+secretly to pray for him that he might be guided by an inspiration
+from above, and attach himself to the religion most approved by God.
+Colin, the Englishman, one clerk, and two other of our companions, to
+wit, Michel and Master Mathieu, to whom I have entrusted the care of
+my Church, have also entered the Order of Minors, and I can hardly
+keep back the Cantor and several others! As to myself, with my body
+weakened, and my heart oppressed by all these separations, I aspire to
+end my life in peace and quiet."
+
+Thus when Francis failed, God caused even that failure to be productive
+of good. The whole question of failure is a very subtle one, and it is a
+matter of grave doubt as to whether God's errands ever do really
+fail--what we call failure according to our preconceived ideas, may
+simply be God's way of working. True, the Sultan was not converted
+(though there is a legend to the effect that when he was on his
+death-bed he sent for a Franciscan friar, and professed conversion), but
+to-day, at time of writing, the Franciscans are spread out all over the
+Holy Land. They have schools and churches and orphanages in every part
+of the country.
+
+Seventeen years later, John of Brienne, the Commander of the Crusade,
+after fighting many battles, and rising to great earthly glory, became
+converted and entered a branch of the Franciscan brotherhood then
+established in the Holy Land. This was no doubt due to the influence
+of Francis, who by the power of God alone, subdued the enemies of
+Christ.
+
+[Sidenote: _A Trial._]
+
+Upon returning to Italy, a sad trial awaited Francis. He had
+determined to visit Bologna on his way back. The long sea-voyage and
+hot climate of Egypt had weakened him very much, so much so that it
+nearly happened that he passed on without paying the promised visit.
+Several of the brethren round about had met Francis on his way, as
+naturally he halted at any monastery on the route. The conversation
+that he heard among these brethren troubled him not a little. He heard
+that there had been important additions made to the humble house the
+lawyer had given to Bernardo when he came first to Bologna. What put
+the finishing touch to his sadness was when an inhabitant of the city
+alluded to the building as "the Friars' house," then he knew they had
+departed from their first principles, for there was no "me" or "mine"
+in the Order of the Friars Minor. It was a heavy blow to him, sick and
+smarting under a sense of failure as he was, and he declared that he
+would not shelter under its roof, but would go elsewhere and beg for
+hospitality. He sent a message to the monastery to command every one
+of them to turn out at once! This was done instantly, and even those
+who were ill were carried into the street! A historian, who was a
+friar at the time, writes, "he who writes this history was one of the
+number; he was taken out of his bed and laid in the street like the
+others."
+
+This summary proceeding naturally caused a tremendous stir in the
+city, and what the outcome of it would have been we cannot say if
+Ugolino, who seems to have had a knack of turning up at every crisis,
+had not appeared just then. He went to Francis, and with great
+difficulty succeeded in quieting him. He would never have done this
+had he not been able to assure him that the house was his and in no
+way belonged to the friars. When Francis saw that the brethren were in
+no danger of becoming proprietors, he allowed them to go back and
+consented to preach in the city. History tells us that that preaching
+was one of the most glorious on record. It was through it that
+Professor Pepoli joined the Friars Minor. But Francis felt keenly that
+the government of a multitude is difficult and that increase of
+followers does not invariably mean increase of joy. For several years
+after this he rather discouraged than encouraged people to enter the
+First Order.
+
+[Sidenote: _Orphans._]
+
+But the whole Bologna affair made a deep impression upon Francis. For
+the first time in his career his brave spirit suffered defeat, the
+first declension in principle, together with his own failing strength
+was too much for him. At the next Chapter he presided over, which was
+soon after his return from Egypt, he publicly resigned from the
+position of Minister General. No one seems to have been prepared for
+this action beforehand.
+
+"From this moment," he said, "I am dead to you, but here is our
+brother, Peter Cantani; he it is whom both you and I will henceforth
+obey."
+
+The brethren were broken-hearted.
+
+"What!" they said through their tears, "are we to lose our father and
+become orphans?"
+
+Then Francis stood up and prayed--
+
+"Oh my Lord, I commend to Thee this day, this family which Thou hast
+entrusted to me. My infirmities, Thou knowest, make it impossible for
+me to take care of it. I put it into the hands of Ministers. If it
+come to pass through their negligence, their scandals, or their too
+great severity, one of the brethren perish, they will give account to
+Thee at the Day of Judgment."
+
+No entreaty or argument could get Francis to alter this decision. He
+was a man in the prime of life, and, humanly speaking, he ought to
+have had long years of service before him. Perhaps he felt that
+already his days were numbered, and that it was only a question of a
+few years at most.
+
+As long as he lived his successors were known as Vicar-Generals. He
+would only consent to preserve the title and rights of Minister
+General. This arrangement had no serious results as far as Peter
+Cantani's government went. He was a good man, and carried out Francis'
+idea exactly, so that Francis could leave all to him, and with a clear
+conscience, devote himself to visiting the centres and preaching. But,
+unfortunately, Peter Cantani's reign was a brief one; he died a very
+short time after his promotion to the Vicar Generalship.
+
+[Sidenote: _Storm Clouds._]
+
+From the death of Peter Cantani till his own death, the storm-clouds
+of internal struggle gathered round Francis' path. His life was not to
+be all one long, if hard worked for, success. No! life is not lived
+thus; there is the dark as well as the bright in its mosaic, but it is
+sad, we say in our humanity, when the dark work is done at the end.
+But God, Who is the chief Workman, knows best how He wants His work
+ordered; He has His eyes on the beautiful end, while we fix ours
+tearfully at the unfinished, and, therefore, inexplicable pattern.
+
+There was yet, however, one unalloyed joy in store for Francis before
+he entered upon his last dark years of service, one of the greatest
+social reforms the world has ever known--the establishment of the
+Third or Tertiary Order of Brothers Minor.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+"BRETHREN OF THE MILITIA OF JESUS CHRIST."
+
+    "A dream of man and woman,
+    Diviner but still human,
+    Solving the riddle old,
+    Shaping the Age of Gold.
+
+    The love of God and neighbor,
+    An equal handed labor;
+    The richer life where duty
+    Walks hand and hand with beauty."
+
+
+The idea of this Third Order had been in Francis' mind for a long
+time; in fact, as far back as his first journey to Rome, when the
+entire brotherhood numbered twelve! On his way home to Assisi he had
+preached in every village and town he passed. One day, as he was
+preaching in the vicinity of a large feudal castle, the whole
+establishment turned out to hear him, and when he had finished, his
+listeners, lords and ladies, officers and retainers, threw themselves
+at his feet, announcing their intention to follow him wherever he
+went, and renounce the world for ever. Never was preacher in such a
+plight! There they stood, the tears running down their faces, husbands
+and wives and little children, soldiers, bower-maidens and pages, the
+entire retinue that ordinarily made up the household of a mediaeval
+lord. Francis knew that it would not be possible to carry off the lot;
+beside, there was no Second Order then, and what could he do with the
+women and children? So he calmed them by telling them that he would
+endeavor to create an Order into which they could come without shaking
+the foundations of the universe!
+
+Little he thought that the Third Order was destined to make even more
+stir in the world than the First or Second.
+
+[Sidenote: _What must we do?_]
+
+As the years passed by, Francis was continually met with the question,
+"What must we do now we are converted? Teach us how to live!"
+
+It was a very important question, and a very natural one, for the
+first instinct of a healthy, newly-converted soul is to spend and be
+spent for its Master. Strange as it may seem to us in these days of
+Bible readers, district visitors, and lay-workers of all kinds, it was
+a very difficult question to answer. The Church, which as yet was the
+Church Universal, not having suffered any disruption, knew nothing of
+lay help, other than setting its members to pray, and give alms. A
+change of life and action had long since ceased to be preached.
+Francis and his followers had revived the old Apostolic doctrine of
+repentance and conversion and holiness of life and thought. As many as
+could join the First and Second Orders were well disposed of, but the
+countless multitude who were unable to leave home and friends, were
+the, as yet, unsolved problem. Francis soon saw that his work would
+be, to a large extent, a failure if something were not done in the way
+of organizing his converts. This fact was again pressed home upon him
+the year after Peter Cantani was appointed Vicar General.
+
+He was preaching in a little village called Cannara, and his hearers,
+who comprised the major portion of the village, were so carried away
+with his words, that they besought him with tears to take them into
+his brotherhood. This he refused to do, saying--
+
+"You are not able, nor ought you to do anything of the kind. I will
+think of you, and I will seek, and with God's blessing I will find a
+life more within your compass."
+
+This promise he found he had to renew wherever he went.
+
+"What must we do?" the people asked him.
+
+"We cannot forsake our wives!" said the husbands, and "We cannot leave
+our husbands!" said the wives. "How shall we save ourselves?"
+
+[Sidenote: _The Third Order._]
+
+After a little, the active mind of Francis found the way out. He would
+form a new Order of converted men and women, who would be linked on to
+the First, and so, without leaving the world, they could enjoy the
+peace and strength of a truly religious life. Such an idea had never
+been heard of before, and the success of the new institution far
+surpassed all expectations. It seemed as though men's hearts and minds
+had been waiting for it, to judge by the numbers that sought
+admission.
+
+The rules of the Order were very simple and based almost entirely on
+the Sermon on the Mount. The "Tertiaries," as they were called, were
+required to put an end to all hatred, and to restore all ill-acquired
+gain, not to engage in lawsuits, to practise the commandments of God,
+to wear a plain dress, and abstain from all worldly gaieties, such as
+theatre-going, dancing, etc. No one might speak of his or her
+neighbor's faults. They were to eat the plainest of food and to avoid
+a variety of dishes. Then there were various advices given as regards
+cleanliness. Mediaeval folk seldom reckoned cleanliness among the
+virtues to be cultivated. No one was to appear in Church in soiled or
+torn clothes, because, in so doing, they showed disrespect to God, and
+never should there be stain or spot on their garments, for outside
+purity is in some sort a reflection of inward purity. Houses and
+furniture also had to be plain and clean. They spent what time they
+had in visiting the sick, and helping those who needed help out of the
+surplus of their goods.
+
+Before anybody was admitted into the Order, an investigation was made
+into his or her life, respecting personal character and relations with
+their neighbors. If he were found with goods not belonging to him, or
+to be at enmity with anyone, he was not admitted until he had repented
+and done his first works.
+
+In every place where a congregation of the Third Order existed, there
+was a "Visitor" who was also a Minor of the First Order. It was his
+duty to oversee these "Tertiaries," and give them instruction.
+
+Such was the Order in which people of all grades and classes hastened
+to enrol themselves. It was first opened in June, and at the end of
+that year we find branches of it in Tuscany, Umbria, and the Marches
+of Ancona. A wave of blessing seemed to pass all over Italy. It does
+not appear that Francis established any other fraternity of the Third
+Order except the First, and from that the others spread out into all
+the earth.
+
+[Sidenote: _A Strong Order._]
+
+The "Tertiaries," or "The brethren of the Militia of Jesus Christ," as
+someone called them, multiplied to such an extent that very soon they
+attracted more attention than was altogether pleasant. The different
+bishops of Italy opposed them, and wrote to the German Emperor,
+Frederick II., who was a man of bad character and openly irreligious.
+
+"The Friars Minor have risen up against us!" they wrote. "They have
+publicly reproved our life and conversation. They have destroyed our
+rights, and brought us to nothing. And now, as the finishing stroke
+against our power, and to deprive us of the devotion of the people,
+they have created two new confraternities, which include men and
+women. Everyone runs into them!"
+
+Frederick was frightened. He saw a gigantic army ready to fight for
+the Church at a word of command, because one of the bye-laws of
+Tertian rule forbade the Tertiaries to carry offensive weapons save in
+the defence of the faith of Jesus Christ, or in defence of their
+country. From this time Frederick, who was always fighting against the
+Church, became their bitterest enemy, and persecuted them wherever
+they were to be found. If it had not been for the influence of
+Cardinal Ugolino, who vigorously protected the Third Order after
+Francis' death, Frederick would, probably, have been able to wipe it
+out of existence, or what would have been worse, it might have existed
+only in name. As it was, it grew and spread and struggled for its
+rights, till it became one of the most powerful religious, social and
+political influences the world has ever felt. To go into the details
+of this would occupy too much space, therefore, we shall turn our
+attention to a few of the first Tertiaries.
+
+[Sidenote: _Lucchese._]
+
+The _very_ first was a man called Lucchese. This man was young,
+good-looking, and ambitious. He was a tradesman, and his ruling motive
+in life was to vie with the nobles. This, after a time, became a
+passion with him. He knew the only way to success lay through riches.
+Therefore, he determined to be rich. He began to speculate in grain,
+and bought up as much as he could, and thus created an artificial
+famine in his village. Then, when the want was greatest, he resold his
+stores at enormous prices, and his fortune was made.
+
+But God was looking after him, and, one day, when he was sitting
+alone, the thought of what he had done came before him in all its
+hideousness. He saw that there was something more in life besides
+merely pursuing riches, and "what would it profit him," something
+asked him, "if he should gain all his heart was set on, and be
+eternally lost in the end?" From that hour he was a changed man.
+
+After consultation with his wife, Bonadona, he sold the greater part
+of his goods, and distributed their price to the poor. He kept only a
+house and a garden of four acres, which he cultivated with his own
+hands. This was a hard life for one who had been used to luxury. His
+house soon became the "poor man's inn" for the district. Thither came
+the poor and needy in troops, and never were they sent empty away.
+
+Such was Lucchese's life when he met Francis, just at the time when
+the necessity for the Third Order was pressing most heavily upon him.
+Lucchese opened his heart to Francis, and told him how much he longed
+to make up for the wrong he had done in the past, and live a life
+well-pleasing to God.
+
+"For some time," said Francis, who felt, as Lucchese talked with him,
+that the man and the hour had both arrived, "I have been thinking of
+founding a Third Order, in which married people will have an
+opportunity of serving God faithfully. You can be the first to enrol
+yourself."
+
+[Sidenote: _Lucchese's Work._]
+
+Then he explained the form which he intended to give this Order, and
+Lucchese gladly enrolled himself, and Bonadona declared that she would
+join her husband. Encouraged by this good beginning, Francis publicly
+announced his intentions, and a number of men and women came and
+offered themselves to him. So, one day, in the Church, in the sight of
+many spectators, he clothed them in a simple, modest dress of
+ash-grey, and the first group, or rather the first fraternity, was
+formed.
+
+Lucchese persevered nobly in his good works. He was no longer content
+with merely helping those who came to him, but he travelled great
+distances to find the suffering. Sometimes he was to be seen leading
+three or four poor creatures, and carrying the weakest of them on his
+back! When once they were in his house, he cared for them, body and
+soul, and many of them were converted, and some joined the Third
+Order. Close to where Lucchese lived, there were large tracts of
+swampy, malarial country. Every summer fever was sure to break out
+there. Lucchese saw this place now as a beautiful field for Tertiary
+labor. He bought an ass, and, loading it with suitable drugs and food,
+he went down into the fever swamps, and did his best in the capacity
+of doctor and nurse and priest all in one. His wife was always ready
+to help him in all his good works.
+
+His death is reported to have been "serene and grand as that of a
+patriarch." He and his wife were both taken ill together. She got
+worse rapidly, and they came to tell him of it. They carried him to
+her side. Kissing her an affectionate farewell, he said--
+
+"Oh, my beloved and devoted companion, we have served God together in
+all affection. Wait for me, we shall be permitted to go together to
+the unspeakable joys!"
+
+He returned to his room and lay down in great weakness. Those around
+saw that his last hour had come.
+
+"My dear brother," said one of the Friars Minor, who stood beside him,
+"be strong and prepare thy soul to appear before thy Saviour."
+
+Lucchese raised his head a little and smiled.
+
+"My good father," he said, "If I had waited till now to prepare my
+soul I should still have confidence in God's mercy, but to tell the
+truth I should leave the world with less security, on account of the
+terrors of the passage."
+
+But the passage had no terrors for Lucchese. He raised his arms and
+said--
+
+"I feel myself free and ready, not through my merits, but through
+those of our Lord Jesus Christ." A few minutes after the death of his
+wife, he, too, followed her to Heaven.
+
+[Sidenote: _A Dinner Party._]
+
+Once, when passing through Rome, Francis was asked by the chief of a
+powerful house to dinner. As he was going into the palace of the
+noble, he descried a number of poor people congregated in the court,
+to whom food was being distributed. Unable to resist the opportunity,
+he went down and sat among them! Matthew de Rubeis, his host, was
+looking out of the window and saw this, so he came out and joined him,
+saying--
+
+"Brother Francis, since you will not come to me, I must come and sit
+with you." And with the most courtly air he announced to the
+astonished crowd that he and Francis would eat with them.
+
+After that dinner, during which no doubt Francis expounded his
+doctrines, Matthew de Rubeis was enrolled in the "New Militia." He was
+the first Tertiary in Rome.
+
+[Sidenote: _Little Rose._]
+
+Little Rose, though not actually a contemporary of Francis, is always
+reckoned in as one of the first Tertiaries. She was one of those
+children who seem born with deep religious feeling. She always, from
+her earliest dawning intelligence, loved God with all her heart and
+soul. She was a beautiful child, very lively in disposition, and she
+loved to go out into the streets and sing hymns. Before she was ten
+years old, she began to preach against those who tried to undermine
+the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the chief was the German
+Emperor, Frederick II. The Archbishop of the town had written a letter
+warning his people against the dangers that beset them, and nowhere
+did his appeal take deeper root than in the heart of little Rose.
+She, childlike, spoke out boldly what her friends were thinking in
+their hearts. Standing in the street, on a large stone, she preached
+that the Emperor was an enemy of the true faith, and must be resisted,
+and that the standard of the faith must be kept high at all costs.
+Those who thought just so encouraged her, but those who were staunch
+supporters of the wicked Emperor went to the Prefect of the town, who
+belonged to their party, and declared--
+
+"If you do not send away Rose and her parents, we will drive you away
+yourself."
+
+The Prefect was frightened. He sent for Rose and her parents, and when
+they appeared he ordered them, on pain of being cast into prison, and
+having their goods confiscated, to leave the town. It was then the
+middle of winter, snow had been falling for some days, and the roads
+were nearly impassable. The parents begged to have the sentence
+postponed for a little.
+
+"It is death," they said, "to go now."
+
+"Well, you can die then," answered the Prefect. "I want nothing
+better."
+
+So they took their child and set off. They did not die, however. God
+took care of them, and they safely reached Soriano, where they lived
+in peace and quiet, till the death of the Emperor, a year later,
+allowed them to return home again.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+CLOUDS.
+
+    "For gold must be tried by fire,
+    As a heart must be tried by pain."
+
+
+It seems a rather strange turn of events that put Elias in the place
+of the gentle, devout, Peter Cantani. No one could doubt Elias'
+efficiency. That was beyond all question, but that he had a proud,
+self-willed spirit was also indisputable. Francis' mind at first
+turned towards Bernardo di Quintavelle as Peter's successor. He always
+had a peculiar love for this, his first son. But though Bernardo had
+risen to considerable importance in the Order, yet for some time he
+had been harassed with interior temptations, and had been subject to
+great darkness. Though Francis was not troubled very much by this
+experience of Bernardo's, saying "It is a trial, he will come out of
+it, and be the greater for it afterwards," yet he did not think it
+wise to put him in any new position of authority, as his own trials
+would not leave him quite free for his work. So Bernardo was passed
+over, and Elias filled the vacant Vicar Generalship.
+
+Elias' Government was active. Splendid order reigned in all the
+communities. He was unequalled for clearness of business views, and
+his preaching was greatly sought after.
+
+Some historians say that with all Francis' gifts of perception he
+never until it was too late saw into Elias' character, and that the
+pride and self-will which were so evident to others were hidden to
+him. Elias loved show and external greatness rather than interior
+goodness and holiness. He loved Francis, but he thought he was far
+more capable of filling the Vicar Generalship than he. He regarded
+Francis as one to be admired, not imitated. It is quite certain that
+if Francis had had the faintest idea that the Order would suffer
+through Elias, he never would have elected him.
+
+[Sidenote: _Germany Again._]
+
+Elias entered his new appointment in a blaze of glory. He had come
+from the Minister Generalship of Tuscany, the most important post in
+the Order, which he had managed in a very skilful manner. Then another
+event had just happened which added to the lustre of his reputation. A
+celebrated German preacher, Cesar of Spiers, had attended his
+preachings and entered the Order. Elias was installed at the next
+Chapter before five thousand brethren. It was at this Chapter, that on
+the seventh day they had to beg of the people not to bring them any
+more food, and even then they had to prolong the Chapter two days, in
+order to eat up all the provisions that had been donated! Elias
+presided at the last sitting, which was the one when the brethren
+received their appointments. We have told you how unfortunate the
+first German expedition had been and how the poor brethren returned
+more dead than alive with fright. Well, during the course of this last
+sitting, Francis felt impressed that they ought to make another
+attempt for the salvation of Germany. As he was not very well that
+day, and unable to make himself heard, he pulled Elias by the tunic,
+and whispered to him aside. Elias stood up and said--
+
+"My brethren, this is what the Brother tells me," they always called
+Francis "The Brother." "There is a country, Germany, whose inhabitants
+are Christians, and full of devotion. You have often seen them passing
+through our country walking in the sunshine with long sticks and great
+boots, singing the praises of God. Several of our brethren have
+already been amongst them. They did not succeed, and had to come back.
+Now I compel none of you to undertake this mission again, but if
+anyone is sufficiently filled with zeal for the glory of God and the
+salvation of souls to venture upon it they can give in their names."
+
+[Sidenote: _An Unwilling Volunteer._]
+
+A wave of horror ran through the assembly, for no mission was more
+dreaded, but very soon they recovered themselves, and about ninety
+gave in their names, several of whom were of German origin. Among this
+last number was Cesar of Spiers, who was appointed Minister for
+Germany. A rather amusing incident occurred in connection with this
+expedition.
+
+The ninety volunteers were all told to come out of the ranks, and
+stand together till those who were to go were chosen. As they stood
+waiting there a certain brother called Giordano, who was one of those
+most scared at the idea of a mission to Germany, and had taken good
+care not to volunteer, thought he would go and have a look at them.
+
+Giordano had a spirit of investigation that would have led him into
+the ranks of journalism had he lived only a few centuries later!
+
+"They will certainly die," he said to himself, "and it will be as with
+the martyrs of Morocco. I shall not even have known them by name."
+
+With that he took himself off on an unauthorized interviewing tour,
+and accosting each one he said,
+
+"Who are you? What is your country?" Then, as he told himself, when he
+heard of their martyrdom, he could say, "Oh, I knew this one, and the
+other one." It was not a very lofty object, but it was an exceeding
+natural one.
+
+In time his investigations brought him to a brother who was a bit of a
+wag, and who, unluckily for Giordano, knew of his horror of Germany.
+
+"I am called Palmerio, and I come from Gargano," he replied meekly,
+when questioned, "but, my brother," he continued, "you are one of us,
+you are going too."
+
+"No, no, I am not," cried Giordano. "I only want to know you."
+
+"Oh, but you are," insisted Palmerio, and taking him by the shoulders,
+he held him amongst the volunteers. Giordano was still struggling for
+liberty when Cesar was appointed Minister, and told to choose those
+out of the ninety whom he would like to have with him. Several of the
+brethren who had entered into the joke with Palmerio surrounded him,
+and begged him not to leave out brother Giordano.
+
+[Sidenote: _To go, or not to go._]
+
+"I'm not going. I'm not going," cried Giordano.
+
+Cesar looked at him, and seeing he was a suitable candidate, was
+inclined to have him. He, knowing that his countrymen were neither
+savages nor man-eaters, and that there was not the slightest danger to
+fear, was rather at a loss to understand the fuss.
+
+"Will you or will you not go to Germany? You must decide," he said to
+Giordano.
+
+This threw Giordano into great perplexity. If he did not go to
+Germany, he feared his conscience would condemn him, seeing that he
+was chosen, and if he went, the Germans were ferocious, and he _knew_
+he would not make a good martyr! He consulted a Brother who had been
+robbed fifteen times during the last Hungarian mission.
+
+"In your place," advised the man, "I should not choose. I would say I
+shall neither go nor stay. I will do as you say."
+
+Giordano followed this advice, and was chosen for Germany! He got the
+better of his fears and worked bravely, and his journalistic talents
+were used in compiling a valuable chronicle, which tells how the
+Minors were established in Germany.
+
+The next most important event in the history of the Order was the
+establishment of a school for theology and training. This was begun by
+Anthony, whom you will remember best under the name of Fernandez, and
+who was led into the Order by the death of the five Morocco martyrs.
+He was not only deeply religious, but very learned. Upon hearing him
+preach one Easter, some of the brethren who were present got the idea
+that a school was needed in the Order, and that Anthony would make a
+splendid head. They laid this plan before Elias, who highly approved
+of it, and undertook to present it to Francis. To convince Francis was
+quite another matter, and for some time he would not hear of it. But
+Elias was a clever reasoner, and he got Francis at last to listen to
+the plans. Still he hesitated. His ideal had always been Apostolic
+preaching, and he dreaded any change in his beloved Order. At last he
+gave in, and wrote his consent to Anthony thus--
+
+[Sidenote: _A Definite Rule._]
+
+"I consent to your teaching holy theology to our brethren, on
+condition that such teaching does not stifle the spirit of prayer,
+either in yourself or others. I hold firmly to this point, for it is
+our rule."
+
+Whether this step was a good or bad one, we cannot say. We only know
+that under Anthony no harm came of it, but rather good. With all his
+brilliancy and keenness of intellect, and in spite of the way men ran
+after him and honoured him, he still kept his simple faith and humble
+spirit.
+
+After the Chapter we have already described, Francis took a tour with
+Elias into his late province, Tuscany, and then, on his return, he set
+himself down to compile a definite and comprehensive rule for the
+benefit of posterity, and to which future generations would be able to
+refer. Probably the laxities of Elias, which were beginning to make
+themselves manifest, strengthened Francis in his determination to
+leave his articles of faith behind him in such tangible form that
+there could be no questioning the principle and line of action. Elias'
+influence was being felt all round. The devotion to poverty was not
+what it once was, and the love of authority and office was doing its
+deadly poisonous work in the hearts of some. Francis' decision to draw
+up a definite rule was far from agreeable to Elias and his set.
+
+Nevertheless, it was done. Taking with him Leo and Bonizio, Francis
+went off to a hermitage, and there he dictated the new rule. On his
+return to Assisi he gave it to Elias to read, telling him to take care
+of it. When Elias read it, he found that it entirely did away with
+many of his most cherished plans, so a few days later, when Francis
+asked him for the rule again, he said that he had lost it. Francis
+answered never a word. He returned to the same solitude with the same
+companions, and dictated the Rule a second time. This Rule has been
+handed down to us intact. It is very largely an application of those
+first verses of the Gospel which were to Francis his call to his
+life-work. It is remarkable for its clearness. If any Brother
+transgressed this Rule, he did it with his eyes open, and knew what he
+was doing too. There is no sign of any laxity in it. As Francis
+advanced in years, he became more and more strongly attached to that
+simplicity of faith and work which was the light of all his life.
+
+At the next Chapter a copy of the Rule was given to all the Brethren.
+They were told to carry it about with them always, and learn it by
+heart, and repeat it often to themselves.
+
+[Sidenote: _Keeping Christmas._]
+
+It was drawing near Christmas time when this Rule was finally passed
+by the Church, and as Francis was in Rome just then he determined to
+put in practice an idea which long had been simmering in his brain. It
+was an innovation, but then he was convinced that it would make men
+think more deeply of the Holy Baby that was born to bring peace and
+goodwill to earth. Accordingly, he sent the following message to a
+nobleman named John, who was devotedly attached to Francis:--
+
+"I wish to keep Christmas night with you, and, if you agree, this is
+how we will celebrate it. You will choose a place in your woods, a
+grotto if there is one, you will put in it a manger and hay: there
+must be an ox and an ass also. It must as much as possible be like the
+manger at Bethlehem."
+
+All was prepared, and when Christmas night came an immense multitude,
+carrying torches and lighted tapers, poured through the dark, midnight
+woods to the grotto. The Brethren sang carols as they came, and these
+were caught up by the people till the forest resounded again and
+again. Francis himself led this mighty procession to the manger, and
+there, standing at its head, the oxen and asses pressing close beside
+him, and the flaring torches lighting up the whole with an unearthly
+lurid light, he preached to them about the meek and lowly Jesus, Who
+came to earth to be despised, persecuted, and put to death. It was a
+time of much blessing, and that night saw a dawning of "peace and
+goodwill" in souls once darkened and lifeless.
+
+[Sidenote: _A Great Task._]
+
+But all this time, ever since he returned from Egypt, Francis' health
+was slowly but surely failing. Weak and ill, and with the lurking fear
+that the principles of the Order were being undermined, his last two
+years of life were anything but peaceful ones. Not that there was
+anything done openly--that was the misery of it; an open, bold
+innovation could have been taken hold of and dealt with, but Elias was
+far too politic and clever to do anything that might lead to his being
+put out of office. Any question of departure from the rules that came
+up, he always blamed on the Provincial Ministers, and professed to be
+as grieved over their failure as Francis himself though secretly he
+supported them. He carefully gave all the truest Franciscans
+appointments far away from Assisi and Francis, and kept those of his
+own mind near home. This was not a bad thing for the ultimate success
+of the Order, because it preserved the real spirit abroad, and when
+Bernardo di Quintavelle stepped into Elias' place, ultimately, he had
+all his foes close to hand round home, where the Franciscan principles
+had taken deepest root.
+
+It was hard for Francis when one after another of his faithful
+followers came to him, and with tears reproached him for having given
+them into the hands of another. When they at last took in the fact
+that though the spirit might be willing, the flesh was too weak to do
+what it had once been able to do, their sorrow knew no bounds. Some of
+them were almost a little selfish in their grief.
+
+"You will pass away," said one. "Your family will remain in the valley
+of tears. Who can take charge and direct it after you? If you know of
+one on whom your mind can rest, I conjure you to tell me."
+
+"My son," said Francis, with tears, "I see no one around me equal to
+this task of being shepherd to so great a flock."
+
+[Sidenote: _Foes._]
+
+Thus, tortured by bodily pain and weakness, and tormented by unseen
+foes and enemies of all that he counted dearest and most sacred, he
+entered upon the two last dark years, which were his Valley of the
+Shadow before the Eternal Sun rose, never to set again.
+
+    God of my life, through all my days
+    My grateful powers shall sound Thy praise,
+    My song shall wake with opening light,
+    And cheer the dark and silent night.
+
+    When anxious cares would break my rest,
+    And griefs would tear my throbbing breast,
+    Thy tuneful praises, raised on high,
+    Shall check the murmur and the sigh.
+
+    When death o'er nature shall prevail,
+    And all the powers of language fail,
+    Joy through my swimming eyes shall break
+    And mean the thanks I cannot speak.
+
+    But oh, when that last conflict's o'er,
+    And I am chained to earth no more,
+    With what glad accents shall I rise
+    To join the music of the skies!
+
+    The cheerful tribute will I give
+    Long as a deathless soul shall live;
+    A work so sweet, a theme so high,
+    Demands and crowns eternity!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+LAST DAYS.
+
+    "Sin can never taint thee now,
+      Nor doubt thy faith assail,
+    Nor thy meek trust in Jesus Christ
+      And the Holy Spirit fail;
+    And there thou'rt sure to meet the good,
+      Whom on earth thou lovedst best,
+    Where the wicked cease from troubling,
+      And the weary are at rest."
+
+
+Slowly, but surely, the time came when Francis was compelled to drop
+all attempt at work. We do not read that he suffered or grieved over
+this--not even when the blindness which had been gradually creeping
+upon him suddenly climaxed, and he was plunged into almost total
+darkness. In the midst of all, his faith shone brighter and brighter,
+and his love for God grew in intensity. His confidence in God was
+such, that when he found himself, in what ought to have been the prime
+of life, a broken-down, pain-tortured wreck, not the faintest shadow
+of a regret for the golden years that "might have been," had his path
+been a less stormy one, ruffled the interior calm of his soul. His
+life had been lived, and was being lived in the will of God, and
+nothing outside that will could possibly happen to him. So, in the
+serene confidence that _all_ things--no matter how disastrous they
+might appear to human understanding--would surely work together for
+good, he lay down in his narrow cell at the Portiuncula, to _suffer_
+the Divine will with the same glad, ready obedience with which he had
+heretofore hastened to perform it. In no instance do we read of his
+faith failing him. Not for the smallest fraction of a second. The
+story of his last days is one of the most vivid pictures of the
+triumph of a soul over every earthly hindrance. It has its parallel in
+the story of Gethsemane and Calvary.
+
+[Sidenote: "_Thy Will be Done._"]
+
+Before we continue our narrative, let us for a moment take a realizing
+view of Francis, his condition and circumstances. As we have said
+before, his health was utterly undermined. We are told that "the
+stomach could ill bear food, the internal organs were the seat of
+constant sufferings, and all the members were weakened and painful."
+Add to this almost total blindness, and we have a state of body that
+would in itself be sufficient excuse for any phase of soul-difficulty,
+darkness, or depression, had such assailed him. But how much worse
+than his bodily pains must have been the heart-agony he suffered
+through the insidious, elusive disease that was sapping the vitality
+of the vast organization of which he was the tender Father. To the
+very dregs Francis drained that cup of failure and defeat, which all
+who are called to lead the vanguard of Christ's conquering host, have
+at some time or another to drink more or less deeply. That is the time
+when the cry, "If it be possible, let this cup pass from me," is wrung
+from the tortured soul, and thrice happy are those who, out of an
+intimate knowledge of God, can add, "Not my will, but Thine be done,"
+assured that it is best simply because it is His. But it is only those
+who know God and enjoy Him, who have confidence enough in Him not to
+demand His reasons--those whose lives have not been mere service
+alone--who can triumphantly and victoriously cry, "Thy will be done."
+Such was Francis. Such were those of the whitest of God's saints, and
+a like eternal, triumphant victory is ours, if we, too, are willing to
+pay the full price--a life of utter self-renunciation.
+
+[Sidenote: _An Operation._]
+
+But to return. Up to the time when Francis became blind, he had
+steadily refused to see any doctor or take any medicine; but after
+much persuasion, on the part of the brethren and Ugolino, who firmly
+believed that the Order would suffer collapse if Francis died, he gave
+in to their request, and tried every remedy the Assisian doctors
+presented. But he became no better, and from Assisi he was taken to
+Rieti, to consult an oculist there. He suffered everything from the
+rude, barbarous surgical treatment of the times, which knew little
+beyond cauterization, bleeding, and drawing-plasters. But, as he
+became rather worse than better, the Rieti oculist, who had learned to
+love him, took him on to Siena, to see an old, celebrated oculist who
+lived in that town. This man said that there was nothing for it but an
+operation--a very painful one, too, for he would have to cauterize his
+patient from the eyebrows to the ears. Francis said he was ready to
+undergo it. He thought to himself that this was a glorious chance to
+show that Christ's soldiers could be as brave as any others. One
+moment only he shuddered. This was when the doctors were heating their
+instruments in the fire, and he knew that soon he would have to endure
+them. In those days only the very stoutest-hearted submitted to
+operations, the majority preferring to die untortured. One can hardly
+blame them, as there were no means known by which the faculties could
+be deadened.
+
+Before the hot irons touched him, Francis prayed, and then addressed
+the fire thus:
+
+"My brother fire: among all beautiful things the Lord has created
+thee, beautiful, strong, useful. Be gentle to me this hour. May God,
+who created thee, temper thine ardour, that I may be able to bear it."
+With that he gave himself into the surgeon's hands, and without a
+groan he underwent the operation. The brethren who were with him, ran
+away the moment it began. Francis called them back.
+
+"Oh, faint-hearted cowards!" he said, "Why did you run away! I tell
+you in truth the iron did not hurt me! I felt no pain."
+
+Then, turning to the doctor he said, "If it be not well burnt, thrust
+it in again."
+
+The doctor, who knew the terror most people felt at such operations,
+exclaimed in amazement--
+
+"My friends, this day I have seen wonders!"
+
+[Sidenote: _Failing Health._]
+
+For a little time the operation seems to have succeeded, and the
+winter passed away with alternations of good and bad health. Francis
+spent the largest portion of his time in prayer and meditation, and
+after that he was able to see the number who daily begged for the
+privilege of visiting him for consultation and help. His memory,
+writes a historian, served him for a book, and furnished him with the
+principles and facts he needed on every subject. "The important
+thing," Francis used to say to himself, "is not to have understood a
+great number of truths, but sincerely to love each truth--to let each
+one penetrate the heart by degrees, to let it rest there, to have the
+same object in view for a long time, to unite one's self to it more by
+the sentiment of the heart than by subtle reflections."
+
+In the early days of spring Francis was seized with such a violent
+hemorrhage that everyone thought his end had come. Elias was hastily
+sent for, but before he could arrive all immediate danger was past.
+However, as soon as he was able, Francis determined to travel back to
+Assisi. His was the true Italian nature, whose heart always turns
+towards home, as a sunflower to the sun! He must have had a revival of
+strength just here, because we read of his standing on a stone in the
+cemetery at Cortona, preaching to the people. But he was not deluded
+into thinking that this meant recovery. Oh, no, he told the people
+plainly that he was on his way to Assisi to die.
+
+For two months he stayed in Cortona, detained there by the people, who
+refused to part with him, and then he was seized with dropsy and
+fever. He begged to be taken back to his native land. It was his last
+wish, and they at once carried out his desire. For fear the
+Perugians--through whose town they had to pass--would also try to
+detain him, Elias sent a messenger to the magistrates of Assisi asking
+them for an escort back. The magistrates immediately sent a party of
+armed men on horseback, chosen partly from the nobles, and partly from
+the principal men of the town. They surrounded the litter in which
+Francis was laid, and the journey commenced. It was a curious
+procession, the worn invalid, lying on his hard couch, and borne by
+his brown-robed, bare-footed brethren, and round them the brilliant
+costumes and gay trappings of the nobles and their prancing horses.
+Did Francis, we wonder, compare his present position with that day
+some twenty years back, when hunted and hounded through his native
+town, he was glad to take refuge in a cave! If he did, we may be sure
+that to God he gave all the glory.
+
+[Sidenote: "_For the Love of God._"]
+
+Francis took a keen delight when as it happened he was able to prove
+to his gay escort by ocular demonstration the power of his beloved
+poverty. They were stopping at a tiny mountain village in order to let
+him rest, and as they had no food, the men set out to buy some. They
+came back a little later, very discomfited and not a little cross. The
+people had refused to sell them any, saying loftily, "We are not
+shopkeepers."
+
+"We are reduced to living upon your alms," the men said to Francis,
+"we cannot find anything to buy."
+
+Francis enjoyed their dilemma hugely.
+
+"You have found nothing," he explained, "because you have trusted in
+your money more than God. But return where you have been, and instead
+of offering money ask food for the love of God. Do not be ashamed;
+since sin came into the world all we have is alms, it is of the
+charity of the Great Almoner that we receive what we call our
+possessions."
+
+The knights took courage, and became for the time beggars, and, asking
+food "for the love of God," received all they wanted!
+
+After this halt they reached Assisi in another stage. The old Bishop
+Guido came to see his "son" as soon as he arrived. The moment he
+looked at him he knew that his days were numbered, and he entreated
+him to let himself be moved to his house, where he could have more
+comfort. This was done, but nothing could really ease Francis'
+sufferings. The swelling that had begun at Cortona disappeared, and he
+rapidly became terribly thin. He could not make the slightest effort
+without terrible suffering, and his eyes were so bad that he could
+barely distinguish light from darkness--feeling alone remained, and we
+are told that every part of his body was the seat of sharp pains! The
+doctors declared they could not tell what kept him alive!
+
+[Sidenote: _Farewell to Assisi._]
+
+"My father," said one who was tending him once, "Do you not think you
+would suffer less under the hands of an executioner?"
+
+"My brother," answered Francis, "my dearest and sweetest wish has
+always been, and still is, to do what God demands of me; with all my
+soul I desire to conform myself in all things to His pleasure and
+will, but martyrdom would be less difficult to bear than three days of
+this illness. I mean speaking of the suffering it brings, not of the
+recompense it merits."
+
+As the suffering days lengthened into months, Francis seemed to rise
+above himself. He lay there smiling and calm, and every hour his soul
+became more strong and vigorous. Not that he was by any means free
+from temptation. We read that "his soul bore the most violent assaults
+without flinching."
+
+In October he was taken back to Portiuncula. His one desire now was to
+die near the spot where God had first revealed Himself to him. He was
+placed on a litter, and slowly the bearers descended the mountain.
+
+"Turn me towards the town," he said when they reached the valley, and
+sitting up with a painful effort, he gazed for the last time in the
+direction of Assisi.
+
+"Be blessed of the Lord," he said solemnly, "O town faithful to God.
+Many souls shall be saved in you and by you."
+
+His first duty when he arrived at home was to make what he called his
+will! This is a recapitulation of the fundamental principles of his
+life, and a short account of the first early days of the brotherhood.
+He charges all to be true to the one rule of the Order.
+
+"I absolutely forbid," he writes at the close, "all my brethren,
+whether clerks or laymen, to put glosses on the Rule, or on this
+writing, saying, 'thus it ought to be understood,' but as the Lord has
+given me grace to dictate purely and simply, understand them simply
+and without gloss, and put them in practice unto the end."
+
+[Sidenote: _Light at Eventide._]
+
+Wise Francis, his knowledge of human nature was only equalled to his
+charity and long-suffering!
+
+After this piece of work was accomplished he quietly resigned himself
+to die, and holding up his hands to Heaven, cried--
+
+"Now, Oh Christ, I have nothing to keep me back! I shall go freely to
+Thee."
+
+The end came rapidly. Each day found him weaker than the preceding
+one, and it was with difficulty that he was able to speak to those
+around him. Fifty of the brethren, who were then at the Portiuncula,
+knelt round his bed.
+
+"My father," said one of them, bending over him, "your sons will have
+no father. In you we lose the light of life. And now forgive those
+present and those absent for all the sins they have committed. Bless
+them once more."
+
+"My son," said Francis, "God is calling me! I forgive my brethren,
+those present and those absent, all their sins and faults. I absolve
+them as much as I can. Tell them so, and bless them in my name."
+
+He then asked them to read him the history of the Passion in St.
+John's Gospel, and then a part of the one hundred and forty-second
+Psalm. As they were reading the seventh verse:
+
+"Bring my soul out of prison that I may praise Thy name," he closed
+his eyes and slept peacefully in Jesus.
+
+His glorious death took place just a few days before he entered his
+forty-sixth year, twenty years since he received his call to repair
+the Church, and eighteen since he founded the Order of Friars Minor.
+
+
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