A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

§ 53. The Beginnings of Monasticism 275attacked, is a genuine, and, on the whole, trustworthy accountof this remarkable man. It was written either 357 or 365, andwas translated into Latin by Evagrius of Antioch (died 393).Everywhere it roused the greatest enthusiasm for monasticism.The Life of St. Paul of Thebes, by St. Jerome, is of verydifferent character, and of no historical value.Ch. 2. After the death of his parents, Anthony was left alonewith one little sister. He was about eighteen or twenty years old,and on him rested the care of both the home and his sister. Nowit happened not six months after the death of his parents, andwhen he was going, according to custom, into the Lord's house,and was communing with himself, that he reflected as he walkedhow the Apostles left all and followed the Saviour, and how, inthe Acts, men sold their possessions and brought and laid themat the Apostles' feet for distribution to the needy, and what andhow great a hope was laid up for them in heaven. While he wasreflecting on these things he entered the church, and it happenedthat at that time the Gospel was being read, and he heard theLord say to the rich man: “If thou wouldest be perfect, go andsell that thou hast and give to the poor; and come and follow meand thou shalt have treasure in heaven.” Anthony, as though Godhad put him in mind of the saints and the passage had been readon his account, went out straightway from the Lord's house, andgave the possessions which he had from his forefathers to thevillagers—they were three hundred acres, productive and veryfair—that they should be no more a clog upon himself and hissister. And all the rest that was movable he sold, and, having gottogether much money, he gave it to the poor, reserving a little,however, for his sister's sake.Ch. 3. And again as he went into the Lord's house, and hearingthe Lord say in the Gospel, “Be not anxious for the morrow,” [250]he could stay no longer, but went and gave also those things tothe poor. He then committed his sister to known and faithfulvirgins, putting her in a convent [parthenon], to be brought up,