“It were long in whole or even in part to tell of my labours, or how the all-powerful One many times set me free from bondage, and from twelve perils wherein my life was in danger, and from nameless pitfalls.  It were ill to try the reader too far, when I have within me the Author himself, who knows all things even before they happen, as He knows me, His poor disciple.  The voice that so often guides me is divine; and thence it is that wisdom has come to me, who had no wisdom, knowing not Him, nor the number of my days:  thence comes my knowledge and heart’s joy in His great and healing gift, for the sake of which I willingly left my home and kindred, though they offered me many gifts with tears and sorrow.

“Many of the older people also disapproved, but through divine help I would not give way.  It was no grace of mine, but the divine power in me that stood out against all, so that I came to bear the Message here among the people of Ireland, suffering the scorn of those who believed not, and bearing derision and many persecutions, and even chains.  Nay, I even lost my patrician rank for the good of others.  But if I be worthy to do something for the Divine, I am ready with all my heart to yield service, even to the death, since it has been permitted that through me many might be reborn to the divine, and that others might be appointed to teach them....

“The people of Ireland, who formerly had only their idols and pagan ritual, not knowing the Master, have now become His children.  The sons of the Scoti and their kings’ daughters are now become sons of the Master and handmaidens of the Anointed.  And one nobly born lady among them, a beautiful woman whom I baptized myself, came soon after to tell me that she was divinely admonished to live in maidenhood, drawing nearer to Him.  Six days later she entered the grade that all the handmaidens of the Anointed desire, though their fathers and mothers would hinder them, reproaching and afflicting them; nevertheless, they grow in number, so that I know not how many they are, besides widows and continent women, who suffer most from those who hold them in bondage.  Yet they stand firm, and God grants grace to many of them worthily to follow Him.

“Therefore I might even leave them, to go among the Britons,—­for willingly would I see my own kindred and my native land again, or even go as far as Gaul to visit my brothers, and see the faces of my Master’s holy men.  But I am bound in the Spirit, and would be unfaithful if I went.  Nor would I willingly risk the fruit of all my work.  Yet it is not I who decide, but the Master, who bid me come hither, to spend my whole life in serving, as indeed I think I shall....

“Therefore I should ever thank Him who was so tolerant of my ignorance and sluggishness, so many times; treating me not in anger but as a fellow-worker, though I was slow to learn the work set for me by the Spirit.  He pitied me amongst many thousands, for he saw that I was very willing, but did net know how to offer my testimony.  For they all opposed my mission, and talked behind my back, saying, ’He wishes to risk his life among enemies who know nothing of the Master’; not speaking maliciously, but opposing me because I was so ignorant.  Nor did I myself at once perceive the power that was in me....