we have received this plea. For to have such men as such fervent lovers provides no ordinary consolation to those who are loved. And I did indeed wish to encounter your reverence face to face, and to be fulfilled by the sweetest disposition of your company. But since this is not possible (for it is neither possible for us, nor is it easy for your reverence, given the care of the Church there), we have of necessity turned to the second course, bestowing upon ourselves the relief that comes from letters. For a letter, seasoned with sincere love, has not a little power to console those who are separated in body. Therefore, in order that we may continually enjoy this comfort, do not hesitate to write to us of your health as often as it is possible and practicable. For we consider your friendship a very great treasure and a wealth of goods beyond description. And if we should frequently receive such goods—that is, your letters—we will not even feel this solitude, reaping great joy from your letters.
XXVIII. To Basil the presbyter.
Even if we have not enjoyed a meeting with you face to face, yet, hearing of your virtue and the zeal you have against the Greeks, overthrowing their error and leading them by the hand to the truth, we honor and revere you as if you were present and had spent a long time with us. For this reason, we have written to you before, calling you blessed for your achievements and admiring you, and asking that you also write to us whenever you are able. For although we are separated by body, we are joined by the bonds of love, keeping your reverence in our thoughts. Knowing this, do not hesitate to write to us frequently and to report your successes, so that, even while dwelling in solitude, we may reap great consolation from this.
XXIX. To Chalcidia and Asyncritia.
Let nothing of the griefs that befall you trouble you, nor let the waves of affairs that come one after another disturb your mind. For such is the narrow and constricted path, having much difficulty, sweat, and toil. But these things pass by and are dissolved with the present life. Even if the path is narrow, it is still a path; and from it, one bears away mild and generous rewards, everlasting and immortal, and far greater than the toils. Therefore, consider the bitterness and the fleeting nature of this present tribulation, and the everlasting and immortal nature of the rewards; endeavor to endure all things generously, and do not be troubled by any of the difficulties that occur. For only sin is a grievous thing; all other things—exiles, sequestrations of property, abductions, plots, and all such things—are a shadow, and smoke, and spider's webs, and whatever else may be of less worth than these. Therefore, as you have practiced in the past in enduring many temptations, display now the patience that is fitting for you. For this shall have the power to establish you in great security and tranquility, and to make you more proven. And if you find any who are coming here for their own business, send us letters frequently concerning your health. For you know how very anxious we are about it, and how frequently we desire to hear something of it.
XXX. To Heortius the bishop.
I, for my part, desired to receive letters from your honor concerning your health. For you know, most honorable master, how I have always been disposed toward your reverence. But since a shortage of letter-carriers has perhaps deprived you of this, I, having found men going to you, assail you with letters, and I ask and beseech you that as often as the opportunity is given, you also write to us as frequently as possible, and explain what state your health is in. For although we dwell in the most desolate place in the world, and are besieged by fear of robbers, and suffer many calamities, as in a foreign land and in such great isolation, yet if we receive frequent letters from you, whom we love so much, informing us of your health, we will derive great consolation from this, however much we are oppressed by such calamities. For you know what power love has, and that not only the presence of friends, but also letters bring great comfort. Since these things are so, I pray you to grant us this pleasure more frequently, informing us of your health, concerning which we desire above all else to hear something.
XXXI. To Marcellinus.
Although we have both maintained silence toward one another for a long time, yet we have not forgotten that ancient and sincere love of yours, but we keep it flourishing and entire, and wherever we go, we carry it about with us, reaping the greatest consolation from it. And for this reason, having now found men who are setting out to you, we pay you the debt of greeting, and we signify that even if we are led away to the very ends of the earth, we nonetheless depart in such a way that we keep you deeply inscribed in our mind and in our conscience. But since for those who are disposed in this way, it is very delightful not only to write, but also to receive letters from those they love so much, I would wish, master most worthy of reverence, that you double this pleasure for us; and as often as the opportunity arises, write to us frequently, and explain what your health is like. For you know how much we care to learn of these things, and how much consolation we derive from this, even while dwelling in a foreign land.
XXXII. To Euthalia.
Even if I receive fewer letters from your modesty than I send to you, I will not therefore cease writing. For I do myself a favor by writing frequently to a soul possessed of such sincere benevolence toward me. But since I vehemently desire to understand what the state of your affairs is, I am also sending...