70. To Odo, Monk

Anselm the archbishop, to his beloved brother Odo, monk and cellarer, greeting and the blessing of God, and his own.

It is said that because you feel that from old age and sickness your end is approaching, you wish to give up the office wherein hitherto you have served God and the cloister of the church where you dwell. But I should like it to be known to your affection that this is by no means a good intention. Certainly we ought to repent of evil deeds and give them up before our death, lest the last day find us in them. But as to good works, we should persevere in them to the end, that our soul may be removed from the midst of them when it leaves this life. Fur concerning those who persevere in good works is it said: "Whoso persevereth unto the end, the same shall be saved; " — not of those who leave their good work off before the end. It is therefore best for thy soul, brother and beloved son, that in that office which to the best of thine ability with the approval of God (so far as I have been able to learn) and to the satisfaction of thine abbot and thy brethren thou hast held, thou shalt persevere as long as life shall last and thy abbot shall enjoin it upon thee, with willing and joyful mind, without any resentment or murmuring, so that in the very act of speaking, or arranging somewhat, concerning that office, thou mayst even render up thy soul. Thus will fall to thy share the promise which is assured to those who shall persevere unto the end. And fear not because on account of weakness of body thou art no longer able to fulfil thy duties and look after thy charge as thou didst formerly in health and youth. For God doth not ask of thee above what thou art able. Neither let any contradictions, from what quarter soever they come, with which the enemy seeks to vex and harass thy spirit so that thou mayest fail before the end and lose the reward of perseverance, disturb thee at all. Therefore I exhort and pray thee that thou firmly purpose in thy heart never so long as thou livest to desert the good work which hitherto God helping thee thou hast fulfilled, unless this be enjoined thee by thine abbot and thy brethren, not in consequence of thine importunity, but of their own free will. And be thou assured that the greater the difficulty with which, whether on account of thy weakness or of any contradictions whatsoever, thou fulfillest the duty en joined thee, so much the greater the reward thou wilt receive from God. I pray God Almighty to direct thy heart, and so far as in me lies, I send to thee blessing and absolution from God, beloved brother.