piety, the Lord gave peace to his soul.
Surrounded by holy books, he practised meditation, and God manifested
His love by sending him visions and dreams which, coming direct from
Heaven, promised salvation to himself and to all who should follow him.
In one dream he saw a great temple above the cave where he was praying.
Millions of people sought to enter it, but could not, and shed bitter
tears of disappointment. One man alone could approach the altar. It
was Israil, the beloved of the Lord. He went straight through the
great doors, and all the rest followed him.

The holy man then decided that he must act as guide to his fellows who,
like himself, were possessed by the fever for eternal salvation. He
knew how to distinguish between dreams sent by heaven, and those
emanating from the infernal regions.

It was a great day for the new religion which was to be born in the
desert of Krivoziersk when the Father Joseph came to join Israil, the
tale of whose glory by this time resounded throughout the whole
neighbourhood. They remained on their knees for whole weeks at a time,
praying together. Israil painted sacred pictures, and Joseph carved
spoons, for the glory of the Lord. An inexplicable emotion filled
their souls; they trembled before the Eternal, fasted, and shed
scalding tears; then, overcome by fatigue, fell fainting to the ground.
Israil beheld the heavens descending upon earth. They had no dread of
wild beasts, and, disregarding the need for food or sleep, they thus
dwelt far from the haunts of men, in the light of Eternity.

One day Israil rose abruptly in an access of religious frenzy, climbed
a hill, saluted the East three times, and returned radiant to his
companion.

"The burden which lay at the door of my heart," he cried, "the burden
which hindered my spirit from soaring heavenwards, has disappeared!
Henceforward the Kingdom of Heaven is in me, in the depths of my soul,
in the soul of the Son of my Father!"

He proceeded to share this kingdom with the brothers Warlaam, Nikanor,
and others who had been "touched by the finger of God." Unbelievers
were gradually won over, and a community was formed whose members lived
on prayers and celestial visions, and obeyed the rules laid down for
them by Israil. The sick were cured by his prayers, and the
incredulous were abashed by the holiness of his appearance.

His fame spread, and ever greater crowds were attracted, so that while
the faithful rejoic