join the First and Second Orders were well disposed of, but the
countless multitude who were unable to leave home and friends, were
the, as yet, unsolved problem. Francis soon saw that his work would
be, to a large extent, a failure if something were not done in the way
of organizing his converts. This fact was again pressed home upon him
the year after Peter Cantani was appointed Vicar General.

He was preaching in a little village called Cannara, and his hearers,
who comprised the major portion of the village, were so carried away
with his words, that they besought him with tears to take them into
his brotherhood. This he refused to do, saying--

"You are not able, nor ought you to do anything of the kind. I will
think of you, and I will seek, and with God's blessing I will find a
life more within your compass."

This promise he found he had to renew wherever he went.

"What must we do?" the people asked him.

"We cannot forsake our wives!" said the husbands, and "We cannot leave
our husbands!" said the wives. "How shall we save ourselves?"

[Sidenote: _The Third Order._]

After a little, the active mind of Francis found the way out. He would
form a new Order of converted men and women, who would be linked on to
the First, and so, without leaving the world, they could enjoy the
peace and strength of a truly religious life. Such an idea had never
been heard of before, and the success of the new institution far
surpassed all expectations. It seemed as though men's hearts and minds
had been waiting for it, to judge by the numbers that sought
admission.

The rules of the Order were very simple and based almost entirely on
the Sermon on the Mount. The "Tertiaries," as they were called, were
required to put an end to all hatred, and to restore all ill-acquired
gain, not to engage in lawsuits, to practise the commandments of God,
to wear a plain dress, and abstain from all worldly gaieties, such as
theatre-going, dancing, etc. No one might speak of his or her
neighbor's faults. They were to eat the plainest of food and to avoid
a variety of dishes. Then there were various advices given as regards
cleanliness. Mediaeval folk seldom reckoned cleanliness among the
virtues to be cultivated. No one was to appear in Church in soiled or
torn clothes, because, in so doing, they showed disrespect to God, and
never should there be stain or spot on their garments, for outside
purity is in some sort a reflection of inward purit