The Story of the Innumerable Company | Page 7

doing good to one another. And
each called his neighbor "brother"; and some bore cups of cold water,
and some balm for healing; some carried oil and wine and pots of
precious ointment. To whomsoever they met they gave help and
comfort. The hungry they fed. The thirsty were given drink. He who
had fallen by the wayside was lifted up and strengthened, and the
blessing of cleanliness was brought to him who lay in filth and shame.
The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon them, and the
heart of the widow sang for joy.
But soon those who were filled with zeal for good works were gathered
together in great bands, and each band wished to magnify its work. In
every way, to all men who asked, help was given. They searched out
the lame and the blind, and brought them that they might perforce be
healed. Cup after cup of cold water was given to the little ones, even to
those who might bring water for themselves. They cared for the
wounded wayfarer long after his wounds were made whole. It was their
joy to bathe his limbs in oil and wine, or to swathe them in fragrant
bands. And the wayfarer ceased to bear his own tent or to seek his own
raiment. What others would do for him, he need not do for himself.
And those who did not help themselves lost the power of self-help. And
those who had helped others overmuch came themselves to need the

help of others.
At last the number of the helpless became so great that there was no
one to serve them. Many waited day after day for the aid that never
came, and they grew so weak with waiting that they could not take up
their burdens. The little ones were thrust aside by the strong, and as the
band went on many of them were forgotten and left behind. They
fainted and fell by the healing springs, because there was no one to give
them drink, and they could not help themselves.
And the burden of the way grew very hard and grievous to bear. Then
there were those who said that one cannot help another save by leading
him to help himself. All that is given him must he repay. Sooner or
later each must bear his own burden. Each must make his own way
through the forest in such manner as he may.
So they turned back to the old Chart. They would read his words again,
that they might be led to better deeds. In these words they found help
and cheer. These words spake they one to another. They came like rain
to a thirsty field, or as balm to a wound, or as good news from a far
country. And there was wonderful consolation in the thought that for
every step of the way he had spoken the right word.
So those who knew his words best were chosen as leaders, and great
companies followed them. And as band after band passed along, his
message sounded from one to another. His words were ever on their
lips. Those who could run swiftly carried them far and wide, even into
the depths of the forest. To those who were in sorrow they came as glad
tidings of great joy, and beautiful upon the mountains seemed the feet
of those who bore them. Wherever men were weary and heavy laden,
they were cheered by his promise of rest.
But there were some who turned to his message only to gratify sordid
hopes or vain desires. He who was lazy sought warrant for sleep. He
who was covetous looked for gain. He who was filled with anger
sought promise of vengeance. There were many who repeated his
words for the mere words' sake. And there were some who used them
in disputations about the way. And the words of help on the Chart they

turned into words of command. Each one took these commands not to
himself alone, but sought to enforce them upon others. "For it is our
duty," they said, "to see that no word of his shall be unheeded of any
man." And many rose in resistance. And the conflicts on the way were
fierce and strong; for with each different band there was diversity of
interpretation. Thus the words of kindness became the voice of hate.
And it came to pass that all along the way the green sward was red with
the blood of wayfarers. Everywhere the leaves of the forest were
trampled by struggling hosts. And "In his name" was the watchword of
each warring band. And each band called itself "his army." And
whosoever bore the sword that was reddest, they called the "Defender
of the