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
greater zeal for discipline and in order to affright the other Brothers
he would say to some that were ill content, or slow to take his Orders:
"Lo! the door standeth open.
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