Abbot Spiridion 211

zeal for the glory of the saints, there was no
abatement of the wonders wrought at Spi-
ridion’s tomb; and when the Abbot would
have forbidden access to the vast crowds of
pilgrims, the people resisted with angry vio-
lence and threatened fire and bloodshed.

So Samson summoned the wigest and holi-
est of the brotherhood, and took them into
counsel.

“This thing,” said he, “cannot be of
God, that one of His saints, the founder of
this house, should lead into sloth and luxury
the children of the house he has founded.
Sooner could I believe that this is a malig-
nant snare of the most Evil One, who heals
the bodily ailments of a few that he may
wreck the immortal souls of many.”

Then arose Dom Walaric, the most aged
of the monks, and said: “ Already, Father
Abbot, hast thou spoken judgment. Griev-
ously shall I lament what must be done;
but in one way only can we root out this
corruption. Let the bones of the holy man
be unearthed and cast forth. He in the high
heavens will know that we do not use him
despitefully, but that of two evils this, in-
deed, is scarcely to be spoken of as an evil.”