,,the ,,hermit',s ,,christmas ,illustration ,,the ,,hermit',s ,,christmas ,,david ,,de ,,forest ,,burrell ,,american ,,tract ,,society #aej ,,nassau ,,street1 ,,new ,,york ,copyright1 #aiab1 by ,,american ,,tract ,,society ,,the ,,hermit',s ,,christmas ,on ,christmas ,day the solitude of the hermit ,theodore was broken in upon4 ,the hermit1 a gaunt1 austere figure of a man in a long robe of goat's hair1 stood before the door of his cave upon the heights1 looking out over the wooded slopes and the shining waters at their feet1 when the first intruder made his appearance4 ,the sunlight glanced from his armor where he came out from the forest shadows on a bare shoulder of the mountain far below4 ,the gleam caught the hermit's eye1 and1 without moving1 he watched while the man drew nearer4 ,he climbed but slowly under the weight of his armor4 ,about his head a white cloth was wrapped as security against the hot sun1 while his helmet was slung at his back4 ,his great sword he used for a staff4 ,at length1 stumbling over the last stone in utter weariness1 he reached the hermit's side and threw himself upon the ground1 calling hoarsely for water1 in the name of all the saints4 ,the hermit brought it1 a gourd full1 which the ,crusader drank dry in great gulps4 ,he wiped his face1 red and shining from the exertion of his climb4 8,god bless thee for that kindly draft1 good father40 8,nay1 my son1 'tis but a small ,christmas gift1 since it cost me naught save a journey to the spring below40 ,the knight started4 8,i had forgot6 ,christmas ,day1 in sooth6 and what a place to keep it in60 8,the place matters not1 my son1 so that thy heart be right for the feast40 ,the other's eyes twinkled for a moment4 8,and dost thou feast on ,christmas ,day1 father8 ,methought dried peas and1 perchance1 a cut of goat's flesh would be dainties fitted to thy scruples40 ,the hermit smiled4 8,why1 so they are2 but truly the food matters little more than the place40 ,then the knight sighed loudly4 8,ah1 but ,i bethink me10 he said1 8of a great hall in ,merry ,england1 and the boar's head and the foaming ale and the songs and laughter6 ,i would ,i were there1 across yon blue sea60 ,the hermit smiled again4 8,truly1 ,sir ,knight1 dried goat's flesh is not a boar's head1 and this gourd ,i take from thee is not a horn of ale2 but this is ,christmas ,day1 and thou art welcome40 8,and ,i will stay1 good father1 and dine with thee6 but in truth ,i had meant so to do1 an the hermit's face were not too long40 ,he glanced up1 sidelong1 at the hermit's solemn visage above him4 8,yonder1 on the road by the sea1 lies my horse with a broken leg4 ,god's mercy that he did not break my skull when he fell6 ,i saw a path leading away through the forest toward the mountain1 and as all paths on ,athos do now but lead to hermits' caves1 'twas but a short moment before ,i turned my steps hitherward40 ,there was a sound of feet clambering up the rocky way4 ,a voice reached them1 harsh and nasal1 uttering loud curses upon lands where ,christian hospitality dwelt in caves on mountain-tops4 ,then an unkempt head came into view1 followed by a body clothed in rags and patches4 ,the hermit greeted the newcomer after the fashion of the ,east3 8,peace to thee40 ,the man paused to get his breath1 and answered1 8,thou art set on high indeed1 holy father4 ',twere more friendly to set thy cave by the roadside below40 8,make thy complaint to ,god who made the cave1 thou unmannerly rascal60 the knight interrupted1 jumping to his feet4 8,by thy costume thou art a beggar4 ,go thou and beg of richer men40 8,peace1 peace60 said the hermit4 8,all men are beggars at my door--and all are guests--and all are welcome40 8,then thou shalt have a full table for thy ,christmas dried peas1 father1 for yonder come more of thy guests40 ,the hermit and the beggar looked down where he pointed4 ,up the steep path toiled four men1 one after the other4 ,the three above stood waiting their arrival4 ,at length they came4 ,the knight checked them off in an undertone as the hermit gave to each his kindly 8,peace to thee60 8,thou art a merchant1 and wealthy1 by thy girth0--so ran the commentary--8and thou--a thief1 by thine eyes and thy nearness to ,sir ,merchant4 ,and thou--thou art ,i know not what1 but thou hast broken heart written on thy face4 ,and thou art a thinker1 by thy broad brow and thy slender figure40 ,one after another they returned the hermit's greeting1 each after his kind4 ,he whom the knight called merchant offered bluntly to pay for a good meal2 the thief spoke with oily heartiness2 the broken-hearted said never a word2 and he of the broad brow and the uncalloused fingers responded with the courtesy of one at home in any place4 8,a fair ,christmas ,day1 good sirs10 quoth the hermit then2 8and all ,i have for your ,christmas feast6 ,come hither into the shade of the rock and sit ye down40 ,and without further parley down they sat upon the brown earth1 a strange company1 while the hermit brought from his cave a great dish of dried meat1 and a bowl of parched peas1 and lastly an earthen jar of water1 cool and sparkling4 ,the beggar made as if to put his hand to the dish of meat1 when the hermit stayed him4 8,an it please you10 he said gravely1 8we will thank the ,christ who was born this day40 ,the beggar withdrew his hand4 ,the fat merchant1 who had thought to put forth his own1 withheld it4 ,with bowed head they waited until the brief prayer was done1 then set to as hungry men1 one and all4 8,tough1 but grateful to an empty stomach1 is thy goat's meat10 said the man of the broad brow4 8,but tell me1 ,father ,hermit1 thou didst return thanks for dried meat and peas3 dost in very truth regard this mean repast as a ,christmas feast80 8,that do ,i60 returned the hermit vigorously4 8,that do ,i not60 said the other in a sneer half hidden in his beard1 8no more do these my fellow-guests1 ,i warrant you4 ,tell me1 friend knight1 hast any thought of ,christmas in thy mind80 8,nay10 said the knight frankly2 8only of a snow-white1 crisp ,christmas at home40 8,sir ,beggar8 ,is this a ,christmas joy to thee80 8,nay10 said the beggar with a whine2 8but were ,i in my own town--ah1 there beggar-folk feast at ,christmas-tide at the cost of the open-handed rich60 8,sir ,merchant1 what of thee8 ,is this ,christmas to thy mind80 8,nay10 said the merchant between bites1 8never a ,christmas without good roast capon40 8,sir ,melancholy8 ,hast thou ,christmas cheer8 ,nay1 we need not thine answer4 ,and thou1 ,sir ,shifty ,eyes--is this ,christmas to thee80 8,nay10 said the last of all1 8,i see no ,christmas joy in this shrivelled fare40 8,hearest thou1 ,o ,father ,hermit80 cried the questioner in triumph4 8,and thou sayest this brings ,christmas joy to thee60 8,and truly so it does60 answered the hermit quietly4 ,then1 his eyes sweeping quickly around the circle1 he spoke more strongly3 8,and more1 ,sir ,philosopher--for such ,i take thee to be--,i can tell each of you why he has no ,christmas joy from this feast of mine40 8,come1 then10 said the philosopher invitingly4 8,thou first10 said the hermit1 not heeding the sneer no longer concealed--8thou art a philosopher1 is it not so8--,so ,i thought4--,and thou hast exchanged faith for reason1 and by thy bargain thou hast lost thy ,christ and thy ,christmas4 ,thou wast afraid to believe6 ,god manifest in the flesh thou couldst not understand1 and therefore ,god manifest in the flesh thou didst cast away40 ,the other would have interrupted1 but the hermit raised his hand to silence him4 8,nay1 ,i said not ,i would argue with thee1 but that ,i would show thee why thou hast no ,christmas joy4 ,and ,i have shown thee4 ,thou hast no faith3 that is why4 ,thou1 who dost come over yonder blue sea by faith2 who dost follow a mountain path on faith2--thou1 who dost not know thyself nor thy neighbor nor thy world1 but dost take all on faith--thou dost not believe in the might of the finger of ,god6 ,not a day passes but thou dost believe the unexplainable2 yet thou must explain the ,christ-child before thou wilt believe on him6 ,thou dost not know me2 thou canst not explain one of these dried peas1 nor the way it grew1 nor the sunlight that dried it2 and yet thou dost eat my dried peas gladly6 ,have ,i hit thee8 #8,whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of heaven as a----'0 ,he paused for a moment4 ,the philosopher's eyes had fallen2 his sneer was gone2 he had not a word to say4 ,the hermit turned to the thief1 who sat next in the circle1 and shot his next words at him4 8,and thou1 ,i know thine ailment1 and why thou hast no ,christmas joy in thy feast6 ,thou hast stolen money in thy scrip and a bad conscience in thy breast40 ,the man with the shifty eyes gripped his wallet tight and turned pale under his tan4 8,nay1 friend thief10 said the hermit more gently1 8this is no court of law4 ,there is no judge here but thy ,god4 ,thou art afraid to meet the ,christ-child when thou comest to judgment2 that is why thou hast no joy in this ,christmas-tide4 ,clear conscience doth make glad heart4 ,get thee back and restore what thou hast stolen60 ,his eyes sought those of him of the melancholy countenance1 but the man would not look up4 ,nevertheless the hermit addressed him1 knowing that he heard4 8,and thou1 ,sir ,melancholy1 methinks ,i know thy sorrow4 ,thou dost think thyself disillusioned4 ,sorrow has come thy way1 and loneliness4 ,thy friends have proven no friends at all4 ,and because thou hast lost faith in man1 thou hast lost faith in ,god1 and thou hast forgotten the faith of thy childhood4 ,thou hast drunk wormwood and therefore thou dost curse ,god40 ,the man had lifted his head and was gazing at him1 his embittered hungry soul in his eyes4 ,the hermit's tone softened4 8,oh1 thou poor soul60 he said1 8thou hast done the very opposite to what thou shouldst have done4 ,for instead of false friends thou hast a ,friend divine4 ,thy house is empty2 yet thy ,friend but keeps thy dear ones for thee till thou comest4 ,thou hast looked only at the things which are seen2 but lift thine eyes6 look thou at the things which are not seen1 the eternal things of ,god6 ,then hast thou1 even thou1 bereaved and lonely1 joy in the ,birthday of thy ,lord60 ,he ceased speaking4 ,suddenly the other bowed his head upon his arms and was shaken by great tearing sobs4 ,they sat in silence until he raised his head and said1 brokenly1 and trying to smile1 8,thou hast wrought a miracle1 father6 ,these be the first tears mine eyes have known in many a year40 8,i guessed as much10 the hermit said1 8and tears be often the forerunners of a new joy40 ,the ,crusader sat next in the circle4 ,with the help of the beggar he had undone the thongs on his armor and stripped himself of his shining coat of mail4 ,in his woolen shirt1 worn and marked with rust1 he was a picture of stalwart strength1 with knotted muscles and heavy shoulders4 8,thou10 began the hermit1 8thou1 ,sir ,knight1 hast been to ,jerusalem1 across yonder waters1 to protect the sepulcher of thy ,lord ,christ1 whose ,birthday this is4 ,and thou dost not know thy ,lord2 wherefore thou hast no joy in ,him40 8,not know my ,lord60 cried the knight4 8,nay1 thou knowest not thy ,lord6 ,by two things ,i know it and will prove it thee4 ,imprimis1 thou hast slain thy fellow-men1 and hast waded in their blood1 for the sake of thy ,god4 ,wherefore thou knowest not ,him2 for the ,christ is not served by blood-letting1 by the slaying of thy brother-men4 ,thou dost hate the ,saracen who dishonors thy ,lord's tomb2 but thy ,lord has bidden thee love the ,saracen1 and thou hast not heard his voice4 ,again1 thy ,lord ,christ would have thee kindly and tender toward all1 both man and beast2 but thou hast left thy good steed1 who has borne thee to thy ,lord's city and thus far homeward--thou hast left him lying down yonder with a broken limb and hast not put him out of his misery4 ,wherefore1 again1 thou dost not know thy ,lord2 not knowing ,him1 thou canst have none of his joy at his birth-feast6 ,wert thou ,christ's man1 as thou dost wear ,christ's cross1 thou wouldst ere this have cared for thy beast60 ,at that the knight leaped to his feet4 8,by this cross10 he cried1 8but thou art a bold man1 ,sir ,hermit60 ,his sword was in his hand4 ,the hermit made no move4 ,the others sat watching the shining blade4 ,the knight caught the hermit's eye1 hesitated1 dropped his sword with a clatter1 and turned and strode down the path out of sight4 ,the hermit turned to the merchant4 8,and thou1 sir10 he said1 8,i have thy measure an ,i mistake not2 and the reason why thou hast no joy in this feast4 ,thou hast so encased thy soul in the fat of getting and of self-indulgence that thou hast forgotten it4 ,thou hast lived for thyself4 ,thy treasure-chest thou hast filled1 and thou hast wrung thy gold from the sweat and tears of many a brother-man4 ,god gave thee thy talents1 but thou hast not requited ,god4 ,thou art swollen with what thou hast sucked from ,god's world4 ,thy pride is in what thou callest thine own1 and thy joy in spending it for what thou callest thyself4 ,thou knowest not the ,christ-child2 for the ,christ bids thee give1 not get2 and thou hast not found joy in this feast1 for thou hast through it all thought only of thyself6 ,the joy of ,christ's ,birthday will come when thou forgettest thyself60 ,and the merchant1 when the hermit ceased speaking1 grew very red in the face and fingered his wallet uncomfortably4 ,but he had not a word to say4 8,and thou1 ,sir ,beggar10 went on the voice of the hermit1 8thou hast1 like thy neighbor1 lived by sucking the world dry4 ,thou hast taken from the world and given nothing4 ,god made thee to work1 but thou hast disdained to work4 ,thy mind is rich with excuses and reasons1 but none is good3 thou art a lazy varlet and a selfish one4 ,therefore thou knowest not the ,christ4 ,for ,he was a carpenter1 and his hands were hard with toil4 ,he saved men1 not lived on them1 yonder in ,nazareth4 ,and none has right to joy on ,christmas-tide who has no respect for himself and no joy in honest toil4 ,stretch out thy hand to the plow1 not to ask an alms6 ,let thy brow shine with the sweat of thy work for the ,christ2 then shalt thou taste his joy6 ,he has given himself to thee1 and thou--thou art a beggar60 ,he was done4 ,he turned to the philosopher with a quiet smile4 8,have ,i not kept my word80 he asked4 ,the other nodded slowly1 then lifted his chin with a challenge3 8,in truth thou hast1 good host4 ,but ,i1 too1 am a student of men2 and ,i have a flaw to pick in thine own case40 ,the hermit's smile faded from his lips4 ,he seemed for the moment to draw into himself2 and he spoke in a low voice4 8,nay10 he said2 8,i said not ,i was perfect2 nor even that ,i gathered from this poor feast all that ,i might have gained of joy4 ,it has been the better for your presence2 and yet--,i too confess ,i have known happier feasts40 ,it was the philosopher's turn to smile1 but he had lost his sneer1 and he did not smile4 8,thou hast withdrawn thyself1 ,sir ,hermit10 he said not ungently1 8from the world and its snares4 ,thou wast weak1 and the evil in the world drew thee1 and thy conscience troubled thee2 and thou didst flee1 like many others1 to the wilderness4 ,is it not so80 ,he did not wait for a reply1 but leaned forward and pointed his words with a long1 slender finger4 8,and thou too hast lost--not all1 but much1 of the joy of this feast because thou hast been a coward6 ,a coward6 ,thou wast afraid6 ,though thy ,lord fought through forty days and forty nights of temptation2 though he did agonize for thee in the garden2 though he did show thee how to fight thy soul's battles--thou didst run away to the desert6 ,thou hadst a place to fill1 a work to do1 men to serve1 a ,gospel to preach--and thou wast afraid6 ,and thou hast but a part of thy joy to-day because thou hast forgotten that the ,christ-child whose feast this is was born to succor thee in thy temptations6 ,thou hast no right to this feast6 ,thou shouldst be at thy work in the world6 ,thy ,christ hath a work for thee60 ,a silence fell upon them4 ,the hermit seemed to have shrunk into himself4 ,absently he rolled a parched pea between fingers none too steady4 ,his voice trembled when at length he spoke4 8,i stand like you all1 convicted4 ,we be but poor ,christians all4 ,i had thought to keep my soul pure by fleeing evil2 but0--and his voice grew clear and strong--8,i was wrong4 ,i shall go back6 ,i shall go back to serve my ,lord ,christ6 ,and you1 brothers8 ,what of you all8 ,will ye go back with me to serve our ,lord and our brothers80 ,he looked around the little circle4 ,none answered for a moment2 then the sorrowful man said1 8,i will go40 8,and ,i10 said the thief2 and the others nodded without speaking1 all save the philosopher1 who sat with head bent1 deep in some soul struggle4 8,come10 said the merchant briskly2 8an ,i can break my chain1 so canst thou40 8,nay1 friend10 said the philosopher sadly2 8it is not chains1 but the absence of chains1 that ,i feel4 ,could ,i but bind my soul to thy ,christ--but how can ,i8 ,can a man force his soul to accept a mystery his mind rejects80 ,then spoke the sorrowful man1 with a new and more cheerful tone in his voice4 8,ay1 that he can6 ,that have ,i done but now6 ,truly my mind cannot see heaven and mine own in heaven2 but ,i am weary of guesswork4 ,i will believe and hope4 ,and thou--with all thy knowledge thou art no wiser as to ,god3 thy mind saveth thee not3 trust thou thy faith40 8,that were wisdom10 said the hermit slowly4 8,we speak to thee1 and thou dost not bid us explain ourselves before thou wilt hear3 and the ,christ speaketh to thee on this his ,day4 ,wilt thou argue8 ,nay1 but believe60 ,and the philosopher looked up at them again1 and his brow cleared4 8,why1 good father1 the world was not built in a day4 ,i will be honest with thee3 ,i cannot believe2 but ,i will pray ,christ to help me believe4 ,is it enough80 8,i am but a poor fool10 spoke the beggar1 8and thou a philosopher1 and yet--if thou dost pray to ,christ thou dost believe already40 8,and that1 again1 is wisdom10 quoth the hermit4 ,so they sat and talked while the shadows moved 'round the mountain and the sun began to sink over the sea to the west4 8,when the sun goeth down we journey into the world10 the hermit said4 ,toward twilight they heard the footsteps of the soldier1 and his bronzed face appeared at the head of the path4 ,he halted for a moment1 surveying the scene4 ,they were on their feet1 girding themselves for the descent4 8,what now80 he cried1 when he could get his breath4 ,the philosopher spoke for all4 8,we have been to school1 ,sir ,knight1 as thou hast1 and we have learned that on this ,christmas ,day which takes us back to the world4 ,wilt come80 8,so10 said the knight1 the old twinkle in his eye2 8and what hast thou learned1 ,o wise one80 8,that the joy of the ,christmas feast may be found in dried peas if faith be there at table40 8,and thou1 ,sir ,beggar80 8,that the joy of the ,christmas feast is his who hath honest sweat upon his brow40 8,and thou1 ,sir ,merchant80 8,that the joy of the ,christmas feast lieth not in the viands1 but in finding joy for others40 8,and thou1 ,sir ,melancholy80 8,that there may be joy in the ,christmas feast1 even for the bitter in soul1 if they look not backward1 but forward40 8,and thou1 ,sir--craving thy pardon--,sir ,thief80 8,it was a good guess10 said the thief4 ,his eyes met the soldier's squarely4 8,but ,i have learned4 ,there is no ,christmas joy without an honest conscience40 8,and thou1 good host80 8,they have taught me1 ,sir ,knight6 ,there is no fulness of joy for him who shirks the fight4 ,we go together back to life4 ,wilt go80 ,the knight stooped for his coat of mail4 8,an some friend here will harness me1 ,i will go1 and gladly4 ,thou hast taught me1 too1 good father4 ,the ,christ whose ,birthday we keep joyeth not in hatred1 but in love and kindliness to all4 ,verily1 what a school thou keepest6 ,thou hast shown us the soul of ,christmas6 ,master and scholars1 all for the world this ,christmas ,day6 ,god give us joy of our journey60 ,so1 in the cool of the evening1 they filed down from the hermit's cave to the road that led to the world6 ,illustration