110 (277). To the Prefect Modestus
SAINT BASIL
your friendship because of your great authority. Nevertheless, I am not permitted by the stress of circumstances to be silent.
Therefore, when I saw this sister, a relative of ours, suffering the affliction of widowhood and burdened with the care of the estate of her orphan son, now being oppressed beyond her strength by insupportable hardships, sick at heart I pitied her. I hastened to appeal to you, in order that, if it is at all possible, you may deign to co-operate with the man sent by her, so as to deliver her from further abuse, since she has already paid that which she promised in my presence. For, she was promised that the interest would be cancelled if she paid the principal.
Now, however, those who have the care of her heirs, after having received the principal, are attempting to collect the interest. Therefore, as one who knows that the Lord makes
His own the affairs of widows and orphans, be zealous about using your efforts in this matter, in the hope of a recompense from God Himself. For, I think that, when his Clemency, our admirable prefect, has learned that the principal has been paid, he will sympathize with this now pitiable and afflicted house which is fallen to its knees and is no longer equal to the abuses inflicted on it from without. Therefore, I beg
(and pardon the necessity because of which I have troubled you), co-operate in this matter, also, according to the power which Christ has given you, since you are kind and honest in your disposition and use for a good end whatever you have received.
110. To the Prefect Modestus1 In the same measure as you have granted us honor and I For Modestus, d. Letter 104. This letter was written in 372.