Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume VIII/The Letters/Letter 96

To Sophronius, the master.

ever loved his city, honouring with filial love the place which gave him birth and nurture, as you do; praying for the whole city together, and for every one in it individually, and not merely praying but confirming your prayers by your own means?&#160; For this you are able to effect by God&#8217;s help, and long, good man that you are, may you be able so to do.&#160; Nevertheless in your time our city has enjoyed but a brief dream of prosperity, in being committed to the charge of one the like of whom, according to the students of our oldest annals, never sat in the pr&#230;fectorial chair.&#160; But now the city has suddenly lost his services, through the wickedness of men who have found a ground of attack in his very liberality and impartiality, and, without the knowledge of your excellency, have made up calumnies against him.&#160; There is therefore universal depression among us at the loss of a governor with unique capacity for raising our dejected community, a true guardian of justice, accessible to the wronged, a terror to law breakers, of like behaviour to rich and poor, and, what is most important, one who has restored the interests of Christians to their old place of honour.&#160; That he was, of all men that I know, the most incapable of being bribed, and never did any one an unfair favour, I have passed by as a small point in comparison with his other virtues.&#160; I am indeed testifying to all this too late, like men who sing dirges to console themselves when they can get no practical relief.&#160; Yet, it is not useless that his memory should remain in your generous heart, and that you should be grateful to him as a benefactor of your native place.&#160; Should any of those who feel a grudge against him, for not sacrificing justice to their interests, attack him, it will be well for you to defend and protect him.&#160; Thus you will make it clear to all that you count his interests yours, and think it quite a sufficient reason for this your close association with him that his record should be so unimpeachable, and his administration so remarkable in view of the time.&#160; For what any other man would not be able to affect in many years has been quickly accomplished by him.&#160; It will be a great favour to me, and a comfort under the circumstances, if you will recommend him to the Emperor, and dispel the calumnious charges brought against him.&#160; Believe me that I am speaking here not for myself alone, but for the whole community, and that it is our unanimous prayer that he may reap some benefit from your excellency&#8217;s aid.