Second Epistle to St. Malachy

This seems to have been written towards the end of 1141, and was brought to Ireland by the first band of religious sent hither from Clairvaux, who in the following year founded the abbey of Mellifont.—Translator.)

‘ To Malachy, by the grace of God Bishop and Legate of the Apostolic See, Brother Bernard, styled Abbot of Clairvaux, presents his humble respects and devoted duty.

I have done, holy father, what thou hast enjoined, and if not with all the perfection which the work deserved, at least as thoroughly as the time permitted. So great indeed and so widespread is the malice of the day that even the little which has been accomplished was scarcely possible to me. I have sent thee, as thou seest, a very scanty supply of seed in order that thou mayest sow even a small part of that field into which the true Isaac went forth of old to meditate, what time Rebecca was first brought to him by Abraham’s servant and happily united to him in everlasting wedlock (Gen. xxiv. 63). But insignificant though it looks, this seed must not be despised, because through it we now behold fulfilled in thy country what was spoken long ago by the Prophet, “ except the Lord of hosts had left us seed, we had been as Sodom and we should have been like to Gomorrha ” (Is. i. 9). Accordingly, I have sown; do thou water, and God will give the increase (1 Cor. iii. 6). I salute through thee all the saints of thy household, commending myself to the holy prayers of them and thee. Farewell,