CHAPTER VI

HOW THE HOLY MAN WAS ORDAINED BY SAINT REMEDIUS, AND SENT TO THE CITY OF THE ATREBATES TO PREACH THE WORD OF GOD; AND HOW HE HEALED A BLIND AND LAME MAN AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE CITY

WHILST the man of God was thus becoming known by fame, and the abundance of his charity, his religious life and zeal in preaching the word of God, were talked of by all, the holy Archbishop Remedius thought it better to place this shining light of Christ on a candlestick, that it might cast further the brightness of its holiness to the salvation of many, than that it should be concealed and almost buried in the obscurity of one single spot. Under Divine Providence, and with the good advice of his priests, he ordained him bishop, and sent him to the city of Atrebata to preach the word of life, that a people who had long lain in the old errors of evil habits, might, by the aid of God working through the constant zeal of his holy preaching, be led by him to the way of truth, and the recognition of the Son of God. Having undertaken this episcopal dignity and office of preaching, he speedily set out towards the above-named city; but as an omen of his future prosperity and success, God signalized his entrance into the town by a miracle. At the gate of the city he was met by two poor infirm men, one of whom was blind and the other lame, who in a pitiable tone asked alms of the man of God. Christ’s holy priest pitied their misery, and considering what he might bestow upon them, could not but know that an apostolic preacher had no gold or silver to give them; wherefore, trusting in the divine clemency, and strengthened by the example of the Holy Apostles Peter and John, he said: “Silver and gold I have not; but what I have, that is, charity and prayer to God, this I give you forthwith;” at saying which words, the man of God, from the affection of his heart, shed tears at their distress, and offered up the prayer of faith for Divine assistance, either for their corporal benefit, or for the spiritual welfare of those who were present. Such pious and benevolent prayers could not fail of their effect: but, by the power of him who said, through Esaias the prophet, “I heard thee at the favourable time, and in the day of salvation helped thee,” both were restored, according to their prayers, in the presence of the people. The one received light into his eyes, the other rejoiced in recovered nimbleness of foot; and both returned home, giving thanks to Divine Grace, from whom they had received greater mercies than they had expected. This miracle, also, was the means of eternal salvation to many, who, seeing the heavenly virtue which followed the words of the man of God, left the abomination of idolatry, and believing in Christ, were washed in the living water of holy baptism.