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AT this period, the light of the knowledge of God was for the first
time shed upon India. The courage and the piety of the emperor had
become celebrated throughout the world; and the barbarians, having
learnt by experience to choose peace rather than war, were able to
enjoy intercourse with one another without fear. Many persons,
therefore, set out on long journeys some for the desire of making
discoveries, others from a spirit of commercial enterprise. About
this period a native of Tyre , acquainted with Greek philosophy,
desiring to penetrate into the interior of India, set off for this
purpose with his two young nephews. When he had accomplished the
object of his wishes, he embarked for his own country. The ship being
compelled to put in to land in order to obtain a fresh supply of water,
the barbarians fell upon her, drowned some of the crew, and took the
others prisoners. The uncle was among the number of those who were
killed, and the lads were conducted to the king. The name of the one
was AEdesius, and of the other Frumentius. The king of the
country, in course of time, perceiving their intelligence, promoted
them to the superintendence of his household. If any one should doubt
the truth of this account, let him recal to mind the history of Joseph
in the kingdom of Egypt, and also the history of Daniel, and of the
three champions of the truth, who, from being captives, became
princes of Babylon. The king died; but these young men remained with
his son, and were advanced to still greater power. As they had been
brought up in the true religion, they exhorted the merchants who
visited the country to assemble, according to the custom of Romans ,
to take part in the divine liturgy. After a considerable time they
solicited the king to reward their services by permitting them to return
to their own country. They obtained his permission, and safely
reached Roman territory. AEdesius directed his course towards
Tyre, but Frumentius, whose religious zeal was greater than the
natural feeling of affection for his relatives, proceeded to
Alexandria, and informed the bishop of that city that the Indians
were deeply anxious to obtain spiritual light. Athanasius then held
the rudder of that church; he heard the story, and then "Who,"
said he, "better than you yourself can scatter the mists of
ignorance, and introduce among this people the light of Divine
preaching?" After having said this, he conferred upon him the
episcopal dignity, and sent him to the spiritual culture of that
nation. The newly ordained bishop left this country, caring nothing
for the mighty ocean, and returned to the untilled ground of his work.
There, having the grace of God to labour with him, he cheerfully and
successfully played the husbandman, catching those who sought to
gainsay his words by works of apostolic wonder, and thus, by these
marvels, confirming his teaching, he continued each day to take many
souls alive .
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