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| Being grieved by the Dissension, he counsels Peace.
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Chapter LXVIII.—Being grieved by
the Dissension, he counsels Peace.
“But, O glorious Providence of God! how deep a wound did
not my ears only, but my very heart receive in the report that
divisions existed among yourselves more grievous still than those which
continued in that country!3214
| 3214 [Africa: alluding to the schism of the
Donatists.—Bag.] | so that you,
through whose aid I had hoped to procure a remedy for the errors of
others, are in a state which needs healing even more than theirs. And
yet, having made a careful enquiry into the origin and foundation of
these differences, I find the cause to be of a truly insignificant
character, and quite unworthy of such fierce contention. Feeling
myself, therefore, compelled to address you in this letter, and to
appeal at the same time to your unanimity3215
and sagacity, I call on Divine Providence to assist me in the task,
while I interrupt your dissension in the character of a minister of
peace. And with reason: for if I might expect, with the help of a
higher Power, to be able without difficulty, by a judicious appeal to
the pious feelings of those who heard me, to recall them to a better
spirit, even though the occasion of the disagreement were a greater
one, how can I refrain from promising myself a far easier and more
speedy adjustment of this difference, when the cause which hinders
general harmony of sentiment is intrinsically trifling and of little
moment?E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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