existed; the other, who was seen by many, may be held cheap. This
was the way of their ancestors likewise, the Pharisees, who were
neither satisfied with John's desert life and fasting, nor with the
Lord Saviour's public life, eating and drinking. But I shall lay my
hand to the work which I have determined, and pass by, with stopped
ears, the hounds of Scylla. I pray that thou mayest persevere in
Christ, and be mindful of me in thy prayers, most sacred virgin.


THE LIFE


Hilarion was born in the village of Thabatha, which lies about five
miles to the south of Gaza, in Palestine. He had parents given to
the worship of idols, and blossomed (as the saying is) a rose among
the thorns. Sent by them to Alexandria, he was entrusted to a
grammarian, and there, as far as his years allowed, gave proof of
great intellect and good morals. He was soon dear to all, and
skilled in the art of speaking. And, what is more than all, he
believed in the Lord Jesus, and delighted neither in the madness of
the circus, in the blood of the arena, or in the luxury of the
theatre: but all his heart was in the congregation of the Church.

But hearing the then famous name of Antony, which was carried
throughout all Egypt, he was fired with a longing to visit him, and
went to the desert. As soon as he saw him he changed his dress, and
stayed with him about two months, watching the order of his life,
and the purity of his manner; how frequent he was in prayers, how
humble in receiving brethren, severe in reproving them, eager in
exhorting them; and how no infirmity ever broke through his