Chapter XV. Of S. Francis' discretion

22. One night one of the sheep cried out, the rest being asleep: "I am dying, brethren — see, I am dying of hunger! M The good shepherd arose forthwith, and hastened to minister the fitting remedy to the ailing sheep. He bade the table to be spread, though it were furnished with rustic cates alone, and (as often happened) water supplied the want of wine. He himself began first to eat, and invited the other brethren to share in this office of charity, lest that brother should pine from shame. Then after they had taken food in the fear of God, that nothing might fail of the office of charity the father discoursed at large to his sons on the virtue of discretion. He bade them ever yield to God a sacrifice seasoned with salt, carefully warning them each to have regard to his own strength in the service of God. To deprive the body indiscreetly of its due was, he said, a sin like that of giving it too much at the prompting of gluttony. And he added: "Know, dear brethren, that what I have done in eating now, I have done by dispensation, not by inclination, at the bidding of brotherly charity. Let the charity be your example, not the food; for food ministers to gluttony, but charity to the spirit."