In those days the majority of men foolishly adored lifeless statues, proffering them the honor due only the Divinity. Few were they who worshipped God, and contempt was the reward of those who, having perceived the truth, mocked the impotence of the idols, refused to serve them, revered the true God, and attained perfection in virtue. While matters were in this state, Saint James left the desert for Persia, wishing to view there the newly planted trees of faith, already heavy with fruit, and to labor in spreading Orthodoxy. On the way he passed by a stream where several girls were washing clothes with their robes pulled up and heads uncovered. Seeing his unusual garb, they did not lower their eyes, but stared at him shamelessly. Indignant at this, the saint decided to display God's power, hoping that those who witnessed the results of the miracle would forsake impious idolatry. He cursed the spring feeding the stream, which dried up completely; then he cursed the girls. Their hair turned grey, and they suddenly aged, becoming like saplings in spring covered with the leaves of autumn. Terrified by the stream's disappearance and their own transformation, the girls ran to town and related what had happened. The townsfolk rushed out to meet the great wonder-worker. They begged him not to be angry, but to order the spring to revive, and without a moment's delay he made supplication to the Lord. After receiving this request, they entreated James to restore their daughters' youth and black hair. He asked for the girls to step forward, but utterly lacking a spirit of repentance, they had not returned to beseech his help and forgiveness. On account of this, the man of God let the punishment stand, as a reminder to them of the Lord's power and to teach others modesty. The new Moses worked these miracles not by means of a blow with a rod, but by tracing the sign of the Cross. I marvel more at his meekness than at the wonders, for he did not summon bears to devour the impudent maidens (as the great prophet Elisha might have) but chastised them mildly, giving them a lesson in proper conduct and the fear of the Lord. God forbid that I should say this to criticise the prophet for harshness: I only wish to indicate that while Saint James possessed the same power as Elisha, he employed it in a manner consonant with the gentleness of Christ and the new covenant.
On another occasion Saint James saw a Persian judge passing an unjust verdict. There was a huge stone nearby, and the man of God commanded it to shatter into a thousand pieces, confuting the godless decision. The bystanders were terrified, and the judge, no less frightened, revoked his ruling and pronounced a new one. Our Lord, the greatest of wonder-workers, could have destroyed His murderers prior to His voluntary Passion; instead, He showed His might by merely withering a fig tree. Similarly, James might have put the iniquitous out of the way, but chose to teach him to judge righteously, and punished the rock.
The Great Collection of the Lives of the Saints - St. Dimitri Rostov - January 13 - pp194-195