Brother Francis; Or, Less than the LeastDouglas, Eileen
History
Brother Francis; Or, Less than the Least
Douglas, Eileen
Christian saints -- Biography; Francis, of Assisi, Saint, 1182-1226
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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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