acious; for "Stoneykirk" has nothing to do with stones: it is a
late corruption of Steiniekirk = St. Stephen's Church.

[574] Mark i. 32, 34.

[575] For the passage here omitted see Appendix, p. 171.

CHAPTER VI

_St. Malachy's Apostolic Labours, Praises and Miracles._

[Sidenote: 1140, October]

42. (23). Malachy embarked in a ship, and after a prosperous voyage
landed at his monastery of Bangor,[576] so that his first sons might
receive the first _benefit_.[577] In what state of mind do you suppose
they were when they received their father--and such a father--in good
health from so long a journey? No wonder if their whole heart gave
itself over to joy at his return, when swift rumour soon brought
incredible gladness even to the tribes[578] outside round about them. In
fine, from the cities and castles and hamlets they ran to meet him, and
wherever he turned he was received with _the joy of the whole
land_.[579] But honour is not to his taste. He exercises his office as
legate; many assemblies are held in many places, so that no region, or
part of a region, may be defrauded of the fruit and advantage of his
legation. He _sows beside all waters_;[580] there is not one who can
escape from his sedulous care. Neither sex, nor age, nor condition, nor
[religious] profession is held in account.[581] Everywhere the saving
seed is scattered, everywhere the heavenly trumpet sounds. He scours
every place, everywhere he breaks in, with _the sword_ of his tongue
unsheathed _to execute vengeance upon the nations and punishments upon
the peoples_.[582] The terror of him is _on them that do evil_.[583] He
cries _unto the unrighteous, deal not unrighteously, and to the wicked,
lift not up the horn_.[584] Religion is planted everywhere, is
propagated, is tended. His _eyes are upon_ them,[585] his care is for
their necessities. In councils, which are everywhere held, the ancient
traditions are revived, which, though their excellence was undisputed,
had fallen into disuse by the negligence of the priests. And not only
are the old restored, new customs are also devised; and whatsoever
things he promulgated are accepted as though issued from heaven, are
held fast, are committed to writing for a memorial to posterity. Why
should we not believe those things were sent from heaven which so many
heavenly miracles confirm? And that I may make what has been said
credible, let me touch on some of these miracles in a few words. For who