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Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Series 2 - The Still Small ...

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To Origenes. 1904<br />

Letter XVII. 1903<br />

It is delightful to listen to you, <strong>and</strong> delightful to read you; <strong>and</strong> I think you give me the<br />

greater pleasure by your writings. All thanks to our good God Who has not suffered the<br />

truth to suffer in consequence of its betrayal by the chief powers in the State, but by your<br />

means has made the defence of the doctrine of true religion full <strong>and</strong> satisfactory. Like<br />

hemlock, monkshood, <strong>and</strong> other poisonous herbs, after they have bloomed for a little while,<br />

they will quickly wither away. But the reward which the Lord will give you in requital of all<br />

that you have said in defence of His name blooms afresh for ever. Wherefore I pray God<br />

grant you all happiness in your home, <strong>and</strong> make His blessing descend to your sons. I was<br />

delighted to see <strong>and</strong> embrace those noble boys, express images of your excellent goodness,<br />

<strong>and</strong> my prayers for them ask all that their father can ask.<br />

1903 Placed during the reign of Julian.<br />

1904 Nothing is known of this Origen beyond what is suggested in this letter. He is conjectured to have been<br />

a layman, who, alike as a rhetorician <strong>and</strong> a writer, was popularly known as a Christian apologist.<br />

To Origenes.<br />

397

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