Page:The Classical Heritage of the Middle Ages.djvu/175

 vii] WE8TEKN MONASTICISM 157 found novel creations, and new purposes consciously conceived. What passed from East to West was altered by circumstances, and modified by the Western character and the exigencies of the advance of Chris- tian civilization among barbarous peoples. Uncon- sciously Western monasticism became filled with new energies and inspired with new aims. Some early distinguishing traits of Western monas- ticism can be pointed out. In the fourth and fifth centuries, the Romanized West^ retained something of the order and intellectual definiteness which marked that most original creation of the Latin genius, the Roman law. The West was more capable than the East of formulating rules of conduct and of ordering them in practical schemes of living. It was stronger than the East in the power of self-control and self-dis- cipline ; and it still preserved more of the youthful energies of life. Accordingly, Western monasticism soon evolved a regular order, a regular discipline, and a power of obedience and command, which Eastern monasticism did not possess. Hence an ordered and regular corporate life was attained, the members of which were trained in like effective modes of discipline. Monks and abbots became as privates and officers of an army; they could carry out commands and exe- cute enterprises in obedience to authority. And that authority tended toward a unity at the apex, — Rome. Practically viewed. Eastern monasticism remained con- templative, pointless, inefficient; while in the West monasticism became a mighty and mightily directed ^ That is to My, North Africa. Gaul. Italy, and Spain.