The Story of the Innumerable Company | Page 4

became their only care. And they
looked with pity and distrust upon those who traveled alone.
But the bands all made their way very slowly. No matter how wise the
leader, not all were ready to move at once, and not all could keep step
to the sound of even the slowest trumpet. There was often much ado at
nightfall over the pitching of the tents, and many were crowded out into
the forest. At times also, in the presence of danger, fear spread through
the band, and many of the weaker ones were trampled on and sorely
hurt.
Then, too, as they passed through the rocky defiles, some of them lost
sight of the banners, and then the others would wait for them, or
perchance leave them behind, to struggle on as best they might without
chart or guide.

And there were those who spoke in this wise: "Many paths lead over
the mountain, and sooner or later all come to the desert and the river. It
does not matter where we walk; the question is, How? We cannot know
step by step the way he went. Let us walk by faith, as he walked. If our
spirit is like his, we shall not lack for guidance when we come to the
crossing of the ways." And so they fared on. But many doubted their
own promptings. "Tell me, am I right?" each one asked of his neighbor;
and his neighbor asked it again of him. And those who were in doubt
followed those who were sure.
So it came to pass that these who walked by faith likewise gathered
themselves into great companies, and each company followed some
leader. Some of these leaders had the gift of woodcraft, and saw clearly
into the very nature of things. But some were only headstrong, and
these proved to be but blind leaders of the blind.
Then one said, "We must not be filled with our own conceit, but must
humbly imitate him. We must try to work as he worked; to rest as he
rested; to sleep as he slept. The deeds we do should be those he did,
and those only. For on his Chart he has told us, not the way he went
past rocks and trees, but the actions with which his days were filled."
Then those who tried to do as he had done, moved by his motives and
acting through his deeds, found the way wonderfully easy. The days
and the hours seemed all too short for the joy with which they were
filled.
But, again, there were many who said that his directions were not
explicit enough. The Chart said so little. "That we may make no
mistake," they said, "we must gather ourselves in bands and choose
leaders. We cannot act as he acted unless there is some one to show us
how."
Thus it came to pass that leaders were chosen who could do everything
that he had done, in all respects, according to his method. And they
added to the Chart the record of their own practices--not only that "He
did thus and so," but also, "Thus and so he did not do." "Thus and thus
did he eat bread, and thus only. Thus and thus did he loose his sandals.
In this way only gave he bread and wine. Here on the way he fasted;

there he feasted. At this turn of the road he looked upward thus,
shading his eyes with his hand. Here he anointed his feet; there his face
wore a sad smile. Such was the cut of his coat; of this wood was his
staff; of such a number of words his prayer." And many were
comforted in the thought that for every turn in the road there was some
definite thing which he had done, and which they, too, might perform.
Thus the duties of every moment were fixed. But as the days went on
these duties grew more and more difficult. No one had time to look at
the rocks or trees; no one could cast his eyes over a noble prospect; no
one could stop to rest by the sweet fountains or in the refreshing
shadows. One could hardly give a moment to such things, lest he
should overlook some needful service.
Then many lost heart, and said that surely he cared not for times and
observances, else he would have said more about them. When he made
the journey, it was his chief reproach that he heeded not these things.
With him, ceremony or observance rose directly out of the need for it,
each one as the need was felt. To imitate him is to feel as he felt. With
him feelings gave rise to word and action. "So will it be with us.