St. Paphnutius used to tell a story which may serve
as a fit introduction to this book. It contains
a miniature sketch, not only of the social state of
Egypt, but of the whole Roman Empire, and of the causes
which led to the famous monastic movement in the beginning
of the fifth century after Christ.
Now Paphnutius was a wise and holy hermit, the Father,
Abba, or Abbot of many monks; and after he had trained
himself in the desert with all severity for many years,
he besought God to show him which of His saints he
was like.
And it was said to him, “Thou art like a certain
flute-player in the city.”
Then Paphnutius took his staff, and went into the
city, and found that flute-player. But he confessed
that he was a drunkard and a profligate, and had till
lately got his living by robbery, and recollected
not having ever done one good deed. Nevertheless,
when Paphnutius questioned him more closely, he said
that he recollected once having found a holy maiden
beset by robbers, and having delivered her, and brought
her safe to town. And when Paphnutius questioned
him more closely still, he said he recollected having
done another deed. When he was a robber, he met
once in the desert a beautiful woman; and she prayed
him to do her no harm, but to take her away with him
as a slave, whither he would; for, said she, “I
am fleeing from the apparitors and the Governor’s
curials for the last two years. My husband has
been imprisoned for 300 pieces of gold, which he owes
as arrears of taxes; and has been often hung up, and
often scourged; and my three dear boys have been taken
from me; and I am wandering from place to place, and
have been often caught myself and continually scourged;
and now I have been in the desert three days without
food.”
And when the robber heard that, he took pity on her,
and took her to his cave, and gave her 300 pieces
of gold, and went with her to the city, and set her
husband and her boys free.
Then Paphnutius said, “I never did a deed like
that: and yet I have not passed my life in ease
and idleness. But now, my son, since God hath
had such care of thee, have a care for thine own self.”
And when the musician heard that, he threw away the
flutes which he held in his hand, and went with Paphnutius
into the desert, and passed his life in hymns and
prayer, changing his earthly music into heavenly;
and after three years he went to heaven, and was at
rest among the choirs of angels, and the ranks of
the just.
This story, as I said, is a miniature sketch of the
state of the whole Roman Empire, and of the causes
why men fled from it into the desert. Christianity
had reformed the morals of individuals; it had not
reformed the Empire itself. That had sunk into
a state only to be compared with the worst despotisms
of the East. The Emperors, whether or not they
called themselves Christian, like Constantine, knew
