, to remove these causes of distraction,
projected for himself a new and unprecedented manner of life. In 423, he
erected a pillar six cubits high, and on it he dwelt four years; on a
second twelve cubits high, he lived three years; on a third, twenty-two
cubits high, ten years: and on a fourth, forty cubits high, built for
him by the people, he spent the last twenty years of his life. Thus he
lived thirty-seven years on pillars, and was called Stylites, from the
Greek word _Stylos_, which signifies a pillar. This singularity was at
first censured by all, as a mark of vanity or extravagance. To make
trial of his humility, an order was sent him, in the name of the
neighboring bishops and abbots, to quit his pillar and new manner of
life. The saint, ready to obey the summons, was for stepping down: which
the messenger seeing, said, that as he had shown a willingness to obey,
it was their desire that he might follow his vocation in God. His pillar
exceeded not three feet in diameter on the top, which made it impossible
for him to lie extended on it; neither would he allow a seat. He only
stooped, or leaned, to take a little rest, and often in the day bowed
his body in prayer. A certain person once reckoned one thousand two
hundred and forty-four such reverences of adoration made by him in one
day. He made exhortations to the people twice a day. His garments were
the skins of beasts, and he wore an iron collar about his neck. He never
suffered any woman to come within the enclosure where his pillar stood.
His disciple Antony mentions, that he prayed most fervently for the soul
of his mother after her decease.

God is sometimes pleased to conduct certain fervent souls through
extraordinary paths, in which others would find only dangers of
illusion, vanity, and self-will, which we cannot sufficiently guard
ourselves against. We should notwithstanding consider, that the sanctity
of these fervent souls does not consist in such wonderful actions, or
miracles, but in the perfection of their unfeigned charity, patience,
and humility; and it was the exercise {092} of these solid virtues that
rendered so conspicuous the life of this saint; these virtues he
nourished and greatly increased, by fervent and assiduous prayer. He
exhorted people vehemently against the horrible custom of swearing, as
also, to observe strict justice, to take no usury, to be assiduous at
church and in holy prayer, and to pray for the salvation of souls. The