ty years, very
{167} rarely seeing any man, except one who brought him bread every six
months.

To satisfy the importunities of others, about the year 305, the
fifty-fifty of his age, he came down from his mountain, and founded his
first monastery at Phaium.[7] The dissipation occasioned by this
undertaking led him into a temptation of despair, which he overcame by
prayer and hard manual labor. In this new manner of life his daily
refection was six ounces of bread soaked in water, with a little salt;
to which he sometimes added a few dates. He took it generally after
sunset, but on some days at three o'clock; and in his old age he added a
little oil. Sometimes he ate only once in three or four days, yet
appeared vigorous, and always cheerful: strangers knew him from among
his disciples by the joy which was always painted on his countenance,
resulting from the inward peace and composure of his soul. Retirement in
his cell was his delight, and divine contemplation and prayer his
perpetual occupation. Coming to take his refection, he often burst into
tears, and was obliged to leave his brethren and the table without
touching any nourishment, reflecting on the employment of the blessed
spirits in heaven, who praise God without ceasing.[8] He exhorted his
brethren to allot the least time they possibly could to the care of the
body. Notwithstanding which, he was very careful never to place
perfection in mortification, as Cassian observes, but in charity, in
which it was his whole study continually to improve his soul. His under
garment was sackcloth over which he wore a white coat of sheep-skin,
with a girdle. He instructed his monks to have eternity always present
to their minds, and to reflect every morning that perhaps they might not
live till night, and every evening that perhaps they might never see the
morning; and to perform every action, as if it were the last of their
lives, with all the fervor of their souls to please God. He often
exhorted them to watch against temptations, and to resist the devil with
vigor: and spoke admirably of his weakness, saying: "He dreads fasting,
prayer, humility, and good works: he is not able even to stop my mouth
who speak against him. The illusions of the devil soon vanish,
especially if a man arms himself with the sign of the cross.[9] The
devils {168} tremble at the sign of the cross of our Lord, by which he
triumphed over and disarmed them."[10] He told them in what manner the
fie