^preface* ix 



every one, and Francis mufi; in- 

 deed have feemed mad to thofe who 

 law him fhoop to kifs their infedlious 

 forms. 



Going one day to the ruined Church 

 of St. Damian's, an inward voice bade 

 him repair it. At once he hurried 

 home, and his father being away, took 

 a quantity of merchandife, which he 

 fold, offering the price for the work 

 of reftoration. The priefl refufing, 

 he threw it in a corner, where it 

 lay until the angry Peter Bernardone, 

 learning what had happened, came 

 to claim it and to imprifon his head- 

 ftrong fon. His mother finally freeing 

 him, he fought refuge with the priell 

 of St. Damian's, refloring to his father 

 all that he had received from him, 

 even his clothes, ftripping himfelf to 

 the hair fliirt which he had worn in 

 fecret, and renouncing his father for- 

 ever. Thenceforth he begged mate- 

 rial to repair the church from door 

 to door, building it up with his own 

 hands, and colle6ling broken fcraps 



