ut afterward became converted by Gerard's preaching and gave up the
world. The second was Reyner the younger, a man without reproach, poor
and accustomed to toil. He, too, came from Renen which is in the diocese
of Munster. The third was called Gerard the cook, for he at the first
was cook to the House, but afterward became the porter, a man fervent in
deed, and devout in prayer, who was born at Deventer. All these knew
Gerard Groote in the flesh, and often heard him preach the Word of God
among the people. By these humble, simple-hearted, and devout little
servants of Christ--these who did verily despise the world--was our House
on mount Nemel begun, which House after that it became a Monastery was
called Mount St. Agnes. Moreover by little and little several devout
clerks and lay folk from the neighbouring towns and from far off
districts came to join these men, and they earned their daily bread by
the labour of their hands. For none was allowed to avoid his task, none
might go about idly, neither did any dare to talk of worldly matters, but
all were taught to labour for the common good, and to call often upon God
in prayer at the appointed hours after the manner of the holy Fathers in
Egypt: for these, too, did labour with their hands, but during the hours
of toil they never ceased from prayer. Likewise they had received this
rule from Master Gerard, that none ought to be accepted save such as were
willing to labour with their hands and take part in the Common Life.
Wherefore the clerks were diligent in writing the books of Holy
Scriptures, and the lay folk busied them with bodily labour and tillage.
Some also followed the tailor's craft, others wove wool and flax; others
again made baskets and mats, or did divers tasks for the good of the
community at the bidding of their Superior. Outwardly indeed they led a
life of poverty and toil for Christ's sake, but the love of the heavenly
life made sweet the present indigence. 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 follo