To Andrew, Bishop of Samosata, on His Letter and His Help

Your Piety, nursed by God’s love, longs for my company, I am sure. But I am all the more eager for yours, because I know I will gain more from it. Want somehow naturally makes our wishes stronger, but the Lord of all is able to give us what we long for. He rules all things himself, knows what will surely do us good, and never stops giving every person this gift. I cannot tell you how delighted I was with your letter. The very honorable and devout deacon Thalassius added to my pleasure by telling me what I was very anxious to know; for what could be more welcome to me than news that all is well with you? And what so adds to your welfare as the moderation of the great men among us? You have acted like a wise and active doctor, who does not wait to be sent for but comes of his own accord to those who need his care. This has given me great pleasure, and I have learned by my own experience what the poet means when he says, “laughing through her tears.” May the generous Giver of all good things grant Your Holiness to excel in them, and to make us eager to imitate what is praiseworthy in all good men. So help us, my dear friend, and persuade the one who is able to grant our request. [a]