Life of Saint Monica

those of Carthage, and not so rough; but they had other defects which were quite as trying. They would, for instance, attend the classes of a certain professor until the time arrived to pay their

to earn one's daily bread. Augustine was discouraged and sick at heart; everything seemed to be against h

ric for the vacant chair in that city. A competition was announced in which Symmachus, himself a well-known orator, was to be the judge. Augustine entered and won the prize

robably an old friend of Symmachus. He was of a noble Roman family, and famous alike for his great learning and peculiar charm of manner. He was fa

is eloquence was to attend the sermons at the cathedral. This Augustine began to do regularly. He found that Ambrose had not been overpraised. He listened to him at first with the

simply, to the intelligence no less than to the heart, for there were many cat

emselves had been ignorant of it, and he had let himself be deceived. This was altogether unlike what they had

she who had comforted them in their fear. "The storm will soon be over," she assured them; "I know that we shall reach our journey's end in safety." She had a strong conviction that she would not di

h other at once. "Thank God for having given you such a mother," said the Bis

to hasten Thine aid and dispel my darkness." They went together now to the sermons and sat side by side in the Church as in the days of Augustine's childhood. One by one he laid aside the false ideas of the truth that had been given to him by the Manicheans. It was growing clearer to him every day. True, there was much that was above his understanding-above the understanding of any human being,

ho was there on State business, and Licentius, his son, with Trigetius, both pupils of Augustine's; Nebridius, who had been with him in Carthage, and was, like himself, a native of Roman Africa; and several new frien

it of. Life is vain, death uncertain; if it steals upon us of a sudden, in what state shall we depart hence?

; he might be able to help him. He told Simplicianus, amongst other things, that he had been reading a book of philosophy translated by a Roman called Victorinus. The book wa

for his virtue that a statue had been erected to him in the forum. In his old age, after earnest study, he became a Christian, but remained a long time a catechumen through fears of what his friends would say. At last ta

yet he could not face the thought of Baptism. He would have to give up so much. The Christian standard was high for a man who had spent his

sed as I daily sighed to Thee." He frequented the Church now even w

he smiled at Augustine, saying that he was glad that he was reading them, for they were full of teaching. He began to tell them about St. Anthony, and of the many hermitages and monasteries in Egypt, an

stonishment, his second of admiration. "How uncertain life is!" he said suddenly to his companion. "We are in the Emperor's service. I wish we were in God's; I had rather be His friend than the Emperor's." He read on, with sighs and groans. At last he s

ung men, and had wasted them; he was a coward. When Pontitianus had gone away, he

ss learning, wallow in the mire!" He sank his face in his hands and groaned. The way lay clear before him; he

this and that he would have to gi

et on the rock of truth, was

ood and evil struggled

conquered," they said, "even we." After them came a great multitude of men and women in the prime of life, some strong and vigorous, some feeble and sickly. It seemed to Augustine as if they looked at him with eyes full of contempt. "We h

o his feet, went to the other end of the garden, and, throwing himself down on the ground, wept as if hi

broke the sound of a child's voice, sweet, insistent.

. "Tolle, lege; tolle, lege," rang the sweet voice again and again in h

help that he required. Going back to Alypius, he took up the sacred volume and opened it. "Put ye o

ngs were possible; he would give up all and follow Him. Then, having carefull

see." He took the book from Augustine, opened at the place he had marked, and read: "

hand until the sun sank in a rose-coloured glory and the cool shadows of the evening fell like a ble