deed, is in heaven; there, if I mistake not, offering up sacrifices for us, pouring out prayers for the people: for he has not left us so, as to have deserted us.--And do thou, sacred and holy Spirit, look down, I beseech thee, on us :(I) arrest by thy prayers that sting of the flesh which was given to us for our correction, or teach us how to bear it with fortitude: guide all our ways to that which is best: and, when we shall depart hence, receive us then into thy society ; that with thee, beholding more clearly that blessed and adorable Trinity, which now we see in a dark manner, we may put a final close to all our wishes, and receive the reward of the labours which we have borne.”-Orat. xx. de Laud. S. Basil. T.i.p.372, 373. In the same strain he addresses St. Cyprian, p. 286, and St. Athanasius, p. 397; and p. 425, he adds : “He, in a good old age, dying after many conflicts, now regards, I doubt not, our concerns, and being himself freed from the flesh, stretches out his hand to those, who are labouring in the path of virtue.” Orat. xxiv. p. 425.— From these orations, and from many others delivered on the like occasions, it is plain, what was then believed—that the Martyrs and Saints enjoyed eternal happiness in the vision of God; that they had care of men upon earth ; that they interceded for them : and that it was profitable to invoke their prayers for the obtaining of spiritual and temporal blessings.
St. GREGORY OF Nyssa, G. C.-Addressing himself to the Martyr Theodorus, on whose Feast he delivered an oration, this brother of St. Basil speaks in the same strain : “ Invisible though thou art, come as a friend to them that honour thee; come and behold this solemn Feast. We stand in need of many favours : be our envoy for thy country
