136 (257). To Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata
SAI);T BASIL
my reader, since I have gone through it as far as I was able.
But the second one I have retained, as I wish to copy it and I do not have available for a while my fast copyist. To this state of poverty have the once envied fortunes of the Cappadocians come!
136. To Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata1 In what condition the excellent Isaac 2 found us, he, better than I, will describe to you in person, even though he does not have a tongue able to report in tragic manner the excesiveness of my sufferings; such was the gravity of my illness.
But, in all probability, this is known to everyone who is acquainted with me ever so little. For, if, when in apparent good health, I have always been weaker than those whose lives are despaired of, it is possible to realize in what a state
I was during my illness. Yet (now pardon one who is talking nonsense in his fever), since sickness has been natural to me, I should now be enjoying in my present change of condition the best of good health. But, since it is the scourge of the Lord which augments our ·sufferings by additional trials according to our deserts, I have acquired one infirmity after another. The consequence of this is evident even to a child
-that this bodily shell of ours must certainly go hence, unless, perhaps, the loving kindness of God, granting us in His forbearance time for repentance, would also now, as frequently before, bring about some release and a way of escape from inconceivable sufferings. At all events, these matters will be as is pleasing to Him and beneficial to us.
As to how the affairs of the churches have been ruined 1 For Eusebius. Bishop of Samosata. d. Letter 27 n. I.
~ Otherwise unknown.
LETTERS
and heedlessly sacrificed while we neglect for the sake of our security the affairs of our neighbors, and are not even able to perceive this-that private interests also perish in a public disaster-what need I say? And, above all, to you, a man who, foreseeing everything from afar, both protested and made proclamations beforehand, and not only were yourself the first to rise up but also helped to rouse others, writing them letters, making personal visits, omitting no act, leaving unuttered no word! These things we remember as each event occurs, but we are no longer benefitted by them. Even now, if my sins had not stood in my way-in the first place, the most pious and beloved brother Eustathius,3 our fellow deacon, falling into a serious illness, delayed me for two whole months while I waited day after day for his return to health; and then all my companions became ill, the remaining details of which the brother Isaac will recount; and, finally, I myself was tied down by this sickness-I would have been with your Honor long ago, not offering any help for the common interests, but getting great profit for myself from my intercourse with you. For, I had determined to be out of reach of the ecclesiastical darts because of my lack of protection against the intrigues of our adversaries. May the mighty hand of God preserve you for all mankind, the noble guardian of the faith, the watchful protector of the churches, and may He consider us worthy before our death of an interview with you for the advantage of our soul.
3 This deacon enjoyed 5t. Basil's confidence. and once before conveyed a letter for him to Eusebius of 5amos.ata. Cf. Letter 47.