_Concerning the names of the first Brothers and their labours_.
These are the names of those first Brothers, the devout men who began to
build the House of Mount St. Agnes and to dwell there. First James
Wittecoep, the chief promoter of our House and the earnest keeper thereof
in all things. He afterward became a Priest in Zwolle and served the
Altar in the Hospice there, where he died after making a good confession.
Secondly, there was John Ummen, son of Assetrin, whose mother was called
Regeland. He, though blind and unlettered, was yet the familiar friend
and devout disciple of Master Gerard, and he became the first Rector of
the House, being a good man and a comfortable. Thirdly, there was
Wychmann Roerinck van Hellender, a pattern of poverty and patience; he,
putting aside his friends, who were many, became an humble hearer of
Gerard, and was Procurator to this poor little congregation.
Other upright men also were joined to these chief Brothers, being drawn
to give up the world by the sweet savour of the reputation of this new
and holy congregation. Their names are worthy of the fame of a good
memorial, for they were shining lights of holy poverty, obedience,
continence, and daily toil. The first was Reyner, son of Leo of Renen of
the diocese of Utrecht, who often made pilgrimages out of his devotion;
but 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 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. If any will go forth, let him go: I would
rather have one that is obedient than many that are disobedient. By the
favour of God I may readily find others who will cheerfully do what ye
refuse." Thus by the voice of his authority he would curb the
ill-contentment of some. Also he used to say that unwilling and sluggish
Brothers were false prophets who thought that naught was profitable save
what was good in their own eyes.
Once it happened that the elder Reyner was sent out with some other
Brothers to guard the reeds, lest the cattle that passed by might chew
and injure them. But when the time for the midday meal came all the rest
went in, and Reyner alone remained on watch in the fields, and afterwards
he, too, went in to take his sustenance. Then he was asked wherefore he
had not come in with the others at the appointed hour, and he answered
that he had remained outside thinking to do the more good thereby, and
prevent danger to their stuff. But Father John replied, "Would that the
beasts had despoiled all our goods so that thou hadst come in with the
rest as in duty bound. This would have pleased me better." Then was
Reyner deeply penitent, and groaning he prostrated himself humbly on the
ground asking for pardon, and saying that he would never do the like
again. But yet John was full of comfort and kindness to those that were
tempted or oppressed with any weighty matter, for he had the gracious
power of consoling all, whatever might be the cause for which they came
to him. Master Gerard himself often sent divers persons to be instructed
by him in the way of God, saying to them, "Go to blind John of Ummen,
that devout and upright man, and whatsoever he saith unto you, do it." He
also bore this witness about John, saying "That blind man hath better
sight than all that are in Zwolle," meaning that though he lacked natural
sight, yet was he illumined inwardly by the radiance of truth, and showed
the way of eternal salvation to many that resorted to him, and gave them
the guidance of the true light.
Among these early Brothers so great was the zeal of their love that each
strove to surpass the other in doing work that was humble; and they were
eager in lowly service one to the other. So while one was asleep another
would rise up earlier than was customary and finish his work; but if any
were somewhat slower in going forth to his labour, some other that was
quicker would take his place, and it was often found that some task was
finished though none knew who had done it. By this means was charity
shown in deed, and humility of heart was preserved, according to the
saying, "Love to be unknown."
All that dwelt in the House were stirred up by a like devotion to do
menial tasks and fulfil humble offices. Wherefore the clerks and weavers
would not avoid the work in the fields, but when called thereto at
harvest time they would go forth with the rest to gather in the sheaves
of corn. Following the rule of obedience, and acting for the common
good, they made the hay, or dug the ground, or planted herbs, whenever
such work must needs be done. So, too, holy David doth praise them that
fear God, and doth minister sweet words of consolation to them that
labour well, saying: "Thou shalt eat the labour of thy hands, well is
thee and happy shalt thou be."