ST. FRANCIS OF ASSIST 83 cise a corrupting influence on the exterior of the Church itself. Unselfish and holy men in ecclesiastical places, both high and humble, preserved the spirit and sanctity of Christian faith, but were not able wholly to counteract the evils of pride, wealth, and luxury that invaded the Church from the worldly side, and infected its unworthy servants. Francis perceived that the only hope or relief possible to that age lay in a decisive spiritual revolution, to be effected without violence, which would recall people to the primitive simplicity, unselfishness, and absolute devotion of the time of Christ and the apostolic period. This revolu- tion could be accomplished-, he saw, only by a personal example so strong, so undeviating, so entirely free from self-seeking, that all men would be compelled to pause and consider it, and then to act upon it. He therefore sacrificed his whole life for the good of the race. In the end he achieved his aim, single- handed, single-souled. No one who Mieves in God and in Christianity through- out, can maintain that Francis of Assisi brought about these results by mere un- aided human power. The human element relies upon will, coercion, manoeuvre, and even intrigue. Francis gave up all these means. He first served the lepers for a month, living with them and taking care of them. This should especially interest us to-day ; since Father Damien's self-immolating life among the lepers of the Hawaiian Islands in recent years is so well known to us, and since the first refuge of Saint Francis from the world was St. Damien's church, in Assisi. Portiuncula, "The Little Portion," was one of the churches which he had rebuilt, and was his favorite. While he was listening to the Gospel there, one day in February, 1 209, these words were read from the altar : " Do not possess gold nor silver, nor money in your purses ; nor scrip for your journey, nor two coats, nor shoes, nor a staff." That precept decided him. He saw his vocation as a devotee of holy poverty. Straightway he began preaching everywhere the duty of poverty and love of the poor ; and gradually he drew to himself disciples, until they numbered twelve ; sometimes accosting his old friends, sometimes strangers, who immedi- ately joined him and consented to give up all worldly things, for the love of God. Most of them were men of rank and wealth, who had never known privation ; yet they gave up social positions where they had been accustomed to command, accepted dire penury with him in a hut at Rivotorto, and submitted themselves to him in entire obedience. " Bread begged from door to door is the bread of angels," said Francis. They went barefoot, wore a coarse gray tunic with a cinct- ure of cord, prayed much, helped the sick and needy, discoursed to and exhorted the people, and lived on bread and water chiefly. Amid all these austerities they thanked God that they had been chosen to give an example of perfect happiness ! Their leader insisted upon incessant industry and unfailing cheerfulness. " Think of your errors in your cells," he commanded. " Weep, kneeling before God. But before others be gay, and maintain an air of ease." At first they called them- selves simply " penitents from Assisi," and for a time they were treated with ridi- cule, scorn, and even violence. But their mission was to suffer everything, to rejoice at insults and injuries and, by patience, compel recognition of the dignity
