"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 G.o.d."

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 pa.s.sing 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 G.o.d'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 G.o.d could do in the human soul, pointing them to the apostles and martyrs as ill.u.s.tration, 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 a.s.s, asked him--

"Are you the Francis of a.s.sisi 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 G.o.d that he ever came their way and taught them how to love and serve G.o.d.

[Sidenote: "_Our Brother Jacqueline!_"]

There was Jacqueline. She was of n.o.ble family, and though she did not leave the world like Clara, yet she served the cause right n.o.bly. 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, G.o.d gave him a piece of work to do for Him. He was pa.s.sing 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 G.o.d may soften his heart?"

"My daughter," Francis said in great compa.s.sion, "Go, I am a.s.sured your husband will become your consolation. Tell him this from G.o.d 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 G.o.d carried it to his inmost soul.

"He is right," he said to his wife, "Let us serve G.o.d together, and save our souls in our own house!"

"The Lord be praised," cried his wife, and together they thanked G.o.d for the gift of His wonderful salvation. They lived for a great many years in G.o.dliness and holiness, and pa.s.sed 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 cl.u.s.ter round what, unfortunately, the historians present to us in the form of a catalogue of mere names.

Chapter XIII.

THE STORY OF THE MARTYRS.

"G.o.d the Father, give us grace To walk in the light of Jesu's Face.

G.o.d the Son, give us a part, In the hiding place of Jesu's Heart.

G.o.d 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 G.o.d'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 G.o.d!

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.