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

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

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

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To the Beræans.Letter CCXX. 2868To the Beræans. 2869The Lord has given great consolation to all who are deprived of personal intercourse inallowing them to communicate by letter. By this means, it is true, we cannot learn the expressimage of the body, but we can learn the disposition of the very soul. Thus on the presentoccasion, when I had received the letter of your reverences, I at the same moment recognisedyou, <strong>and</strong> took your love towards me into my heart, <strong>and</strong> needed no long time to create intimacywith you. The disposition shewn in your letter was quite enough to enkindle in me affectionfor the beauty of your soul. And, besides your letter, excellent as it was, I had a yetplainer proof of how things are with you from the amiability of the brethren who have beenthe means of communication between us. The well-beloved <strong>and</strong> reverend presbyter Acacius,has told me much in addition to what you have written, <strong>and</strong> has brought before my eyesthe conflict you have to keep up day by day, <strong>and</strong> the stoutness of the st<strong>and</strong> you are makingfor the true religion. He has thus so moved my admiration, <strong>and</strong> roused in me so earnest adesire of enjoying the good qualities in you, that I do pray the Lord that a time may comewhen I may know you <strong>and</strong> yours by personal experience. He has told me of the exactitudeof those of you who are entrusted with the ministry of the altar, <strong>and</strong> moreover of the harmoniousagreement of all the people, <strong>and</strong> the generous character <strong>and</strong> genuine love towardsGod of the magistrates <strong>and</strong> chief men of your city. I consequently congratulate the Churchon consisting of such members, <strong>and</strong> pray that spiritual peace may be given to you in yetgreater abundance, to the end that in quieter times you may derive enjoyment from yourlabours in the day of affliction. For sufferings that are painful while they are being experiencedare naturally often remembered with pleasure. For the present I beseech you not tofaint. Do not despair because your troubles follow so closely one upon another. Yourcrowns are near: the help of the Lord is near. Do not let all you have hitherto undergonego for nothing; do not nullify a struggle which has been famous over all the world. Humanlife is but of brief duration. “All flesh is grass, <strong>and</strong> all the goodliness thereof is as the flowerof the field.…The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall st<strong>and</strong>for ever.” 2870 Let us hold fast to the comm<strong>and</strong>ment that abideth, <strong>and</strong> despise the unrealitythat passeth away. Many Churches have been cheered by your example. In calling newchampions into the field you have won for yourselves a great reward, though you knew itnot. The Giver of the prize is rich, <strong>and</strong> is able to reward you not unworthily for your bravedeeds.2612868 Placed in 375.2869 The Syrian Beræa, Aleppo, or Haleb. cf. Letter clxxxv. p. 222.2870 Is. xl. 6, 8.733

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