62. Ep. 213.1–7 (CSEL 57:372–79); trans. Parsons, FOTC 32:52–57.
The Bishop 119 regard for a short time, then it was rudely broken, and I am not allowed time for the work I wish to do. Both morning and afternoon I am enmeshed in people's affairs. I beg you and I enjoin you by Christ to allow me to lay some of the burdens of my duties on this young man, that is, the presbyter Eraclius, whom I designate today in the name of Christ to succeed me as bishop."
A shout was raised by the people: "We give thanks for your decision!"—said twenty-six times.
(6) When silence was restored, Bishop Augustine said: "I give thanks before the Lord our God to your charity and kindness; I give thanks for it. Therefore, my brethren, whatever is now referred to me, let it be referred to him. When my advice is needed, I will not refuse it. God forbid that I should withdraw my help. However, what has been referred to me up to now, let it be referred to him. Let him either consult me if he does not discover what he ought to do or call on the help of one whom he knows as a father, so that you may suffer no loss and, if God gives me even a little time, that I may at length busy myself with the holy Scriptures, and, as far as He permits and grants it, that I may not spend the little remnant of my life in idleness or give myself over to laziness. This will be advantageous to Eraclius, and through him to you. Let no one, then, begrudge me my leisure, because my leisure implies great labor.61 I see that I have paid my debt in full by transacting with you the matter for which I invited you to be here. I ask this one last favor: that those of you who are able would please sign these official records. I need your assent to this, show me some agreement by your acclaim."
A shout was raised by the people: "So be it, so be it!"—said twenty-five times; "It is right and just!"—said twenty-eight times; "So be it, so be it!"—said fourteen times; "Long worthy, long deserving!"—said twenty-five times; "We give thanks for your decision!"—said thirteen times; "Hear us, O Christ! Protect Eraclius!"—said eighteen times.
(7) When silence was restored, Bishop Augustine said: "It is well that we are able to transact the affairs of God about the time of His sacrifice. In that hour of our prayer I especially recommend your Charity to lay aside all your interests and occupations and pour forth prayer to the Lord for this church, for me, and for the presbyter Eraclius."62
Vandal Invasion
In his last days, Augustine watched the wholesale collapse of his world. Possidius here recounts the brutal Vandal invasion of North Africa and the siege of Hippo. From Possidius of Calama, Life of St. Augustine:
61. Note the wordplay, both an oxymoron (leisure as labor) and a rhyme: "leisure" (otium) rhyming with "labor" (negotium).
62. Ep. 213.1–7 (CSEL 57:372–79); trans. Parsons, FOTC 32:52–57.
(28) It happened soon after, in accordance with the divine will and power, that a great host of men, armed and trained for war, came in ships from the land of Spain across the sea and rushed into Africa. They were a mixed group of savage Vandals and Alans, together with a Gothic tribe and people of different races. Everywhere throughout the regions of Mauretania, and even crossing to other provinces and lands, they gave vent to their rage by every kind of atrocity and cruelty, devastating everything they possibly could by pillage, murder, various tortures, fires, and other countless indescribable evil deeds. No sex or age was spared, not even God's priests and ministers, neither church ornaments and vessels nor the very buildings. Now, the man of God did not feel and think as others did concerning the enemy's fierce assault and devastation, but he considered them more deeply and profoundly. Most of all, he perceived in them the dangers and even death of souls, so that more than ever—since, as we read, "He that adds knowledge, adds also sorrow" (Eccl 1:18) and, "an understanding heart is a worm in the bones" (Prv 14:30)—tears were his bread both day and night (Ps 41:4). Thus he spent those days, almost the last of his life, and endured them as most bitter and sad in comparison with the rest of his old age. He saw cities completely destroyed, and farmers together with their buildings either annihilated by the enemy's slaughter or put to flight and scattered. Churches were deprived of their priests and ministers; consecrated virgins and monks, dispersed in all directions. In one place some died from torture; others were killed by the sword; still others, in captivity, lost their chastity and faith in soul and body, serving the enemy under vile, harsh treatment. Hymns and praises of God disappeared from churches, church buildings in many places were burned down, while the regular offerings due to God in their usual places were cut off. The divine sacraments were no longer sought, or if they were, it was difficult to find someone to administer them. Moreover, when the people fled together to mountain forests or rocky caves and caverns or any kind of shelter, some were captured and killed while others were robbed and deprived of necessary nourishment to such an extent that they perished from hunger. Augustine likewise saw bishops of the churches and clergy who, by chance, through God's kindness, did not meet the enemy or who escaped if they did, despoiled and stripped of everything, forced to beg in dire poverty, and they could not all be supplied with enough to live. Of the countless churches scarcely three survive—at Carthage, Hippo, and Cirta. It was through God's kindness that these were not destroyed. These cities likewise remain, supported by divine and human protection, although after Augustine's death the enemy burned the city of Hippo, which had been abandoned by its inhabitants. Amid these disasters Augustine was consoled by the sentiment of a certain wise man who said: "He is not great who thinks it wonderful that wood and stones fall and mortals die."
Because of his profound wisdom, Augustine daily and copiously lamented all these occurrences. His grief and sorrow were intensified by the fact that the enemy