CONTENTS.
| PAGE | |
| INTRODUCTION | [1] |
| SAINT ANTONY | [21] |
| THE LIFE OF SAINT PAUL, THE FIRST HERMIT | [83] |
| HILARION | [104] |
| ARSENIUS | [149] |
| THE HERMITS OF ASIA | [155] |
| BASIL | [162] |
| SIMEON STYLITES | [167] |
| THE HERMITS OF EUROPE | [219] |
| ST. SEVERINUS, THE APOSTLE OF NORICUM | [224] |
| THE CELTIC HERMITS | [246] |
| ST. MALO | [278] |
| ST. COLUMBA | [282] |
| ST. GUTHLAC | [300] |
| ST. GODRIC OF FINCHALE | [309] |
| ANCHORITES, STRICTLY SO CALLED | [329] |
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
| ST. BRENDAN SETTING SAIL | Frontispiece |
| LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY “And having committed his sister to known and faithful virgins, and given to her wherewith to be educated in a nunnery,” &c. | To face [35] |
| PAUL, THE FIRST HERMIT “For entering the cave he saw, with bended knees, erect neck, and hands spread out on high, a lifeless corpse. And at first, thinking that it still lived,” &c. | To face [92] |
“And having committed his sister to known and faithful virgins, and given to her wherewith to be educated in a nunnery,” &c.
“For entering the cave he saw, with bended knees, erect neck, and hands spread out on high, a lifeless corpse. And at first, thinking that it still lived,” &c.
INTRODUCTION
St. Paphnutius used to tell a story which may serve as a fit introduction to this book. It contains a miniature sketch, not only of the social state of Egypt, but of the whole Roman Empire, and of the causes which led to the famous monastic movement in the beginning of the fifth century after Christ.
Now Paphnutius was a wise and holy hermit, the Father, Abba, or Abbot of many monks; and after he had trained himself in the desert with all severity for many years, he besought God to show him which of His saints he was like.
And it was said to him, “Thou art like a certain flute-player in the city.”