all the good which is done comes from Him. Although there are few among
you of whom it can be said that they have worldly wisdom, or are
powerful or noble, yet it is you whom the Lord hath chosen for this
important work. It is His will that you should go into all parts to
honor Him by your actions and by your words, bringing to His fear and
to His love such as have strayed into evil ways."

"Prepare yourselves therefore to set forth; gird your loins according
to the commands of Jesus Christ; be courageous; put on the armor of
faith; be devoted to the service of the Gospel; always prepared to let
yourselves be carried away as clouds, whithersoever the Spirit of God
may direct you, by the guidance of obedience, to shed the dew of the
divine word on the dry and arid soil of hardened hearts. For our Lord
has not called you into this Institute to think of nothing but saving
your own souls quietly, without any fatigue, in the hearts of your
country, and in the bosom of your families; His intention is, that you
carry His name and His faith into the nations, and before the kings
of the earth. Now, lest we should appear to be slow in carrying His
will into execution, we will divide Italy amongst us; and soon after,
we will make other missions into more distant countries."

To this discourse the disciples replied, that they were prepared for
everything; that, having renounced their own will, they only waited
the order to commence the journey; and that the distrust they had of
themselves in consequence of their simplicity, was counterbalanced by
the confidence they had in the assistance of the Almighty, which
animated them.

The next morning Francis divided Italy among them, taking Tuscany for
himself with Sylvester, who was the first priest in his Order, so that