Chapter CXLI. What the Saint answered when he was questioned about the Min- isters

188. So Francis being once asked by a certain brother why he had so cast all the brethren out of his own keeping and given them over to strange hands, as though they in nowise belonged to him, re-plied: "Son, I esteem the brethren as highly as I can; but if they followed my footsteps I should assuredly love them more and not make myself strange to them. For there are some among the number of the Superiors who are drawing them away to other things, putting before them the examples of the ancients, and setting little store by my admonitions. But the end will show what they are doing." And shortly afterwards when he was oppressed by exceeding infirmity he raised himself up on his couch and said in heat of spirit: "Who are they that have snatched the Religion of myself and the brethren out of my hands? If I get to the chapter-general then I will show them what my will is! "And that brother continued, "Wilt thou not also change those Provincial Ministers that have so long abused their freedom? "And the father made answer, groaning, in these terrible words: "Let them live as they like, for the perdition of a few is a lesser loss than that of many". (He did not say this on account of all the Ministers but on account of some who by the length of time during which they had held office seemed to have claimed an hereditary right to it.) And this he specially commended in the Regular Prelates1 of every kind: Not to change their behaviour except for the better, not to court popularity, not to exert their power, but to do their duty.