You can read this book here in pdf - Electric Scotland

FROM ENGLISH CHRONICLERS 15
was not willingly heard by the people, he returned to his own
land, and related in the assembly of the elders that he had been
unable in any way to benefit by his teaching the nation to
which he had been sent because ;
they were intractable men,
1
and of a hard and barbarous disposition.
But [the elders], as is said, began to hold a quiet discussion
in council as to what should be done while ; desiring to save
the nation, as was besought of them, yet grieving
that the
preacher whom they had sent had not been received.
Then said Aidan (for he too was present in the council) to
the bishop about whom the discussion turned : "Meseemeth,
brother, that thou hast been harder than was just for unlearned
hearers, and hast not offered them according to apostolic precept
first the milk of milder doctrine, until gradually nourished
in God's word they were able to receive the more perfect and
to keep the higher commandments of God."
Hearing this, all who sat there gave heed to him with ears
and eyes, and diligently discussed what he said ;
and decided
that he was worthy of the bishopric, that he should be sent to
teach the unbelieving and the unlearned, since he was proved
before all things to be imbued with the grace of discretion,
which is the mother of the virtues. And so they ordained him
and sent him to preach.
And when he had opportunity, as before by his controlling
discretion, so afterwards he appeared adorned by the other
virtues also. 2
635
BEDE, HISTORTA ECCLESIASTICA, III, 5 ; VOL. I, PP. 135-1 36. 3
From this island, then, from the brotherhood of these
monks, Aidan was sent, after receiving the rank of bishopric,
to instruct L the 'province of the Angles in Christ. And at
1
Cf. Augustine's mission, put off from 596 to 597 A.D. ; Bede, H.E.,
I, 23 ; i, 42-43.
2 Pleased with king Oswald's generosity to the poor, Aidan blessed his
hands. After Oswald's death they were cut off by order of Penda, but
remained incorrupt ; Bede, H.E., III, 6 ; i, 138. Ill, 12 ; i, 151-152.
S. of D., H.D.E., i, 20-21.
When the priest Utta set out (soon after 642) to fetch from Kent king
Oswy's bride Anfled, daughter of Edwin, Aidan prophesied a storm, but
gave him consecrated oil, which stilled it ; Bede, H.E., III, 15 ; i, 157-158 ;
Metr. Life of St. Cuthb., V, ed. E.H.S., ii, 8-9.
Aidan's prayers changed the wind and prevented Penda from burning
Bamborough ; Bede, H.E., III, 16 ; i, 158-159.
3
Cf, A.S. Vers., i, 160, 162. Ann, of Lind., in M.G.H., SS. ? xix, 504,