Million Book Collection - The Fishers of Men Ministries

FKANCISCAKS.
221
allowed to possess any money in common. It is
said that two of these friars, being overtaken by the
night-fall at about a mile from Abingdon, sought
admittance at the cell or grange of the great abbey.
The porter let them in cautiously, but they were
thrust out of doors again when the monks discovered
that they were destitute friars. A young monk, who
saw them outside, took compassion on them, and
showed them to a hay-loft. That night he had a
vision, or a remarkable dream, in which he saw our
Lord sitting on His throne as Judge, and the grange
monks standing before Him. A friar minor was
accusing them of cruelty towards men who had given
up all things for God's sake. Then our Lord turned
to the prior, and asked him to what order he belonged.
He replied to St. Benedict's, but St. Benedict, who
was there, disowned these men as overthrowers of
his institute, which had so specially commanded the
exercise of hospitality. Our Lord next looked upon
the charitable young monk, making the same inquiry.
He, fearing to own himself a Benedictine, said he
belonged to the poor man he saw standing there,
who was St. Francis.
" Is this true " asked our Lord.
"He is mine, Lord, he is mine/' answered St.
Francis, pressing the young man to his heart in so
close an embrace that he awoke.
Both the young monk and the Abbot of Abingdoii
joined the Order of St. Francis.1
lAntiquitt * oj the English Franciscan*, pp. 12-15.