NPNF2-08. Basil: Letters and Select Works - Holy Bible Institute

To the Governor.Letter LXXXVI. 2293To the Governor. 2294I know that a first and foremost object of your excellency is in every way to support theright; and after that to benefit your friends, and to exert yourself in behalf of those who havefled to your lordship’s protection. Both these pleas are combined in the matter before us.The cause is right for which we are pleading; it is dear to me who am numbered among yourfriends; it is due to those who are invoking the aid of your constancy in their sufferings.The corn, which was all my very, dear brother Dorotheus had for the necessaries of life, hasbeen carried off by some of the authorities at Berisi, entrusted with the management of affairs,driven to this violence of their own accord or by others’ instigation. Either way it is an indictableoffence. For how does the man whose wickedness is his own do less wrong thanhe who is the mere minister of other men’s wickedness? To the sufferers the loss is thesame. I implore you, therefore, that Dorotheus may have his corn returned by the men bywhom he has been robbed, and that they may not be allowed to lay the guilt of their outrageon other men’s shoulders. If you grant me my request I shall reckon the value of the boonconferred by your excellency in proportion to the necessity of providing one’s self with food.1752293 Of the same date as the preceding.2294 Probably to Elias. Three manuscripts add “of recommendation on behalf of presbyters about the carryingoff of corn.”516