“Thus simply, brothers and fellow-workers for the Master, who with me have believed, I have told you how it happened that I preached and still preach, to strengthen and confirm you in aspiration, hoping that we may all rise yet higher.  Let that be my reward, as ’the wise son is the glory of his father.’  You know, and the Master knows, how from my youth I have lived among you, in aspiration and truth and with single heart; that I have declared the faith to those among whom I dwell, and still declare it.  The Master knows that I have deceived no man in anything, nor ever shall, for His sake and His people’s.  Nor shall I ever arouse uncharity in them or in any, lest His name should be spoken evil of....

“I have striven in my poor way to help my brothers and the handmaidens of the Anointed, and the holy women who often volunteered to give me presents and to lay their jewels on my altar; but these I always gave back to them, even though they were hurt by it; and I have so lived my life, for the hope of the life eternal, that none may find the least cause of offence in my ministry; that my least act might not tarnish my good name, so that unbelievers might speak evil of me....

“If I have asked of any as much as the value of a shoe, tell me.  I will repay it and more.  I rather spent my own wealth on you and among you, wherever I went, for your sakes, through many dangers, to regions where no believer had ever come to baptize, to ordain teachers or to confirm the flock.  With the divine help I very willingly and lovingly paid all.  Sometimes I gave presents to the kings,—­in giving presents to their sons who convoyed us, to guard us against being taken captive.  Once they sought to kill me, but my time was not yet come.  But they took away all we possessed, and kept me bound, till the Master liberated me on the fourteenth day, and all our goods were given back, because of the Master and of those who convoyed us.  You yourselves know what gifts I gave to those who administer the law through the districts I visited oftenest.  I think I spent not less than the fine of fifteen men among them, in order that I might come among you.  Nor do I regret it, nor count it enough, for I still spend, and shall ever spend, happy if the Master allows me to spend my soul for you....For I know certainly that poverty and plain living are better for me than riches and luxury.  The Anointed our Master was poor for us.  I am poorer still, for I could not have wealth if I wished it.  Nor do I now judge myself, for I look forward daily to a violent death, or to be taken captive and sold into slavery, or some like end.  But I fear none of these ...but let me not lose the flock I feed for Him, here in the uttermost parts of the earth....