the labour of their hands. For none was allowed to avoid his task, none
might go about idly, neither did any dare to talk of worldly matters, but
all were taught to labour for the common good, and to call often upon God
in prayer at the appointed hours after the manner of the holy Fathers in
Egypt: for these, too, did labour with their hands, but during the hours
of toil they never ceased from prayer. Likewise they had received this
rule from Master Gerard, that none ought to be accepted save such as were
willing to labour with their hands and take part in the Common Life.
Wherefore the clerks were diligent in writing the books of Holy
Scriptures, and the lay folk busied them with bodily labour and tillage.
Some also followed the tailor's craft, others wove wool and flax; others
again made baskets and mats, or did divers tasks for the good of the
community at the bidding of their Superior. Outwardly indeed they led a
life of poverty and toil for Christ's sake, but the love of the heavenly
life made sweet the present indigence. If one went forth on any
business, he would first utter some short word concerning the things of
God, or would speak the Name of Jesus, and some other would reply with
"Christ" or "Mary" as his devotion impelled him. For a great while they
lived together in this companionship, and until the time of the
foundation of the Monastery, all alike, both Clerks and Lay folk obeyed
their first Rector, John of Ummen, a zealous man and well skilled in
spiritual things. With such diligence did they follow the virtue of
obedience that none dared even to drive in a nail, or do any little thing
without the knowledge of the Rector or Procurator, for they received
fraternal correction by way of warning for the least neglect, nor was
there given any place for excuse, but every man did humbly acknowledge
his fault, and was forward to promise amendment. But if any were not
ready to obey, or should cling stubbornly to what was good in his own
eyes Father John would chide him more sternly as the manner of the fault
and the quality of the person did demand. Sometimes fired with yet