The Chronicle of the Canons Regular of Mount St. Agnes | Page 6

their
friends; which grant they did also confirm in writing to any others
whom God Almighty should see fit to associate with them. In regard to
this holy gift and this pious request made by consent of the owners of
the place, there was but one deed executed relating to the first and
original foundation. This is attested by the seals of many honest men,
and in it is given a short description of the manner of the Common Life
and of the wholesome rule so far as this same was applicable to the
conditions of the Brotherhood in the early days. These things were
done and finished in the year of the Lord 1386 on the Friday before
Palm Sunday, and a year and a half after the death of the aforesaid
Master Gerard.

CHAPTER III.
Concerning the names of the first Brothers and their labours.
These are the names of those first Brothers, the devout men who began
to build the House of Mount St. Agnes and to dwell there. First James
Wittecoep, the chief promoter of our House and the earnest keeper
thereof in all things. He afterward became a Priest in Zwolle and served
the Altar in the Hospice there, where he died after making a good
confession. Secondly, there was John Ummen, son of Assetrin, whose
mother was called Regeland. He, though blind and unlettered, was yet
the familiar friend and devout disciple of Master Gerard, and he
became the first Rector of the House, being a good man and a
comfortable. Thirdly, there was Wychmann Roerinck van Hellender, a
pattern of poverty and patience; he, putting aside his friends, who were
many, became an humble hearer of Gerard, and was Procurator to this
poor little congregation.
Other upright men also were joined to these chief Brothers, being
drawn to give up the world by the sweet savour of the reputation of this
new and holy congregation. Their names are worthy of the fame of a
good memorial, for they were shining lights of holy poverty, obedience,
continence, and daily toil. The first was Reyner, son of Leo of Renen of
the diocese of Utrecht, who often made pilgrimages out of his devotion;
but afterward became converted by Gerard's preaching and gave up the
world. The second was Reyner the younger, a man without reproach,
poor and accustomed to toil. He, too, came from Renen which is in the
diocese of Munster. The third was called Gerard the cook, for he at the
first was cook to the House, but afterward became the porter, a man
fervent in deed, and devout in prayer, who was born at Deventer. All
these knew Gerard Groote in the flesh, and often heard him preach the
Word of God among the people. By these humble, simple-hearted, and
devout little servants of Christ--these who did verily despise the
world--was our House on mount Nemel begun, which House after that
it became a Monastery was called Mount St. Agnes. Moreover by little
and little several devout clerks and lay folk from the neighbouring
towns and from far off districts came to join these men, and they earned

their daily bread by the labour of their hands. For none was allowed to
avoid his task, none might go about idly, neither did any dare to talk of
worldly matters, but all were taught to labour for the common good,
and to call often upon God in prayer at the appointed hours after the
manner of the holy Fathers in Egypt: for these, too, did labour with
their hands, but during the hours of toil they never ceased from prayer.
Likewise they had received this rule from Master Gerard, that none
ought to be accepted save such as were willing to labour with their
hands and take part in the Common Life. Wherefore the clerks were
diligent in writing the books of Holy Scriptures, and the lay folk busied
them with bodily labour and tillage. Some also followed the tailor's
craft, others wove wool and flax; others again made baskets and mats,
or did divers tasks for the good of the community at the bidding of their
Superior. Outwardly indeed they led a life of poverty and toil for
Christ's sake, but the love of the heavenly life made sweet the present
indigence. If one went forth on any business, he would first utter some
short word concerning the things of God, or would speak the Name of
Jesus, and some other would reply with "Christ" or "Mary" as his
devotion impelled him. For a great while they lived together in this
companionship, and until the time of the foundation of the Monastery,
all alike, both Clerks and Lay folk obeyed their first Rector, John of
Ummen, a zealous man and well skilled in spiritual