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es of the idolatrous temples； thereby making this worthless and superfluous material fit for service； and profitable。 And the foul fiends that dwelt in their altars and temples were rigorously chased away and put to flight； and these； in the hearing of many； loudly lamented the misfortune that had overtaken them。 And all the region round about was freed from their dark deceit； and illuminated with the light of the blameless Christian faith。
And； soothly； the king was a good example to all； and he inflamed and kindled the hearts of many to be of the same mind with himself。 For such is the nature of authority。 Its subjects alway conform to its likeness； and are wont to love the same objects； and to practise the pursuits which they perceive to be pleasing to their governor。 Hence； God helping； religion grew and increased amongst them。 The king was wholly dependent on the commandments of Christ and on his love； being a steward of the word of grace； and pilot to the souls of many； bringing them to safe anchorage in the haven of God。 For he knew that this； afore all things； is the work of a king； to teach men to fear God and keep righteousness。 Thus did he； training himself to be king over his own passions； and； like a good pilot； keeping a firm hold of the helm of good government for his subjects。 For this is the end of good kingship； to be king and lord over pleasure which end also he achieved。 Of the nobility of his ancestors； or the royal splendour around him； he was in no wise proud； knowing that we all have one common forefather； made of clay； and that； whether rich or poor； we are all of the same moulding。 He ever abased his soul in deepest humility； and thought on the blessedness of the world to come； and considered himself a stranger and pilgrim in this world； but realised that that was his real treasure which he should win after his departure hence。 Now； since all went well with him； and since he had delivered all the people from their ancient and ancestral error； and made them servants of him who redeemed us from evil servitude by his own precious blood； he turned his thoughts to his next task； the virtue of almsgiving。 Temperance and righteousness he had already attained； he wore on his brow the crown of temperance； and wrapped about him the purple of righteousness。 He called to mind the uncertainty of earthly riches； how they resemble the running of river waters。 Therefore made he haste to lay up his treasure where neither ‘moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal。' So he began to distribute all his money to the poor； sparing naught thereof。 He knew that the possessor of great authority is bound to imitate the giver of that authority； according to his ability； and herein he shall best imitate God； if he hold nothing in higher honour than mercy。 Before all gold and precious stone he stored up for himself the treasure of almsgiving； treasure； which here gladdeneth the heart by the hope of enjoyment to come； and there delighteth it with the taste of the hoped…for bliss。 After this he searched the prisons； and sought out the captives in mines； or debtors in the grip of their creditors； and by generous largesses to all he proved a father to all； orphans； and widows； and beggars； a loving and good father； for he deemed that by bestowing blessings on these he won a blessing for himself。 Being endowed with spiritual riches； and； in sooth； a perfect king； he gave liberally to all that were in need； for he hoped to receive infinitely more； when the time should come for the recompense of his works。
Now； in little while； the fame of Ioasaph was blazoned abroad； and led； as it were by the scent of sweet ointment； all men flocked to him daily； casting off their poverty of soul and body： and his name was on every man's lips。 It was not fear and oppression that drew the people to him； but desire and heart…felt love； which by God's blessing and the king's fair life had been planted in their hearts。
Then； too； did his father's subjects begin to come to him； and； laying aside all error； received the Gospel of truth。 And the house of Ioasaph grew and waxed strong； but the house of Abenner waned and grew weak； even as the Book of the Kings declareth concerning David and Saul。
XXXIV。
When king Abenner saw this； though late and loth； he came to his senses； and renounced his false gods with all their impotence and vain deceit。 Again he called an assembly of his chief counsellors； and brought to light the thoughts of his heart。 As they confirmed his words （for the day…spring from on high had visited them； the Saviour who had heard the prayer of his servant Ioasaph）； it pleased the king to signify the same to his son。 Therefore on the morrow he wrote a letter to Ioasaph； running thus：
〃King Abenner to his well…beloved son Ioasaph； greeting。 Dearest son； many thoughts have been stealing into my soul； and rule it with a rod of iron。 I see our state vanishing； like as smoke vanisheth； but thy religion shining brighter than the sun； and I have come to my senses； and know that the words which thou hast ever spoken unto me are true； and that a thick cloud of sin and wickedness did then cover us； so that we were unable to discern the truth； and recognize the Creator of all。 Nay； but we shut our eyes； and would not behold the light which thou didst enkindle more brightly for us。 Much evil did we do unto thee； and many of the Christians； alas！ did we destroy； who； strengthened by the power that aided them； finally triumphed over our cruelty。 But now we have removed that dense mist from our eyes； and see some small ray of truth； and there cometh on us repentance of our misdeeds。 But a new cloud of despair would overshadow it； despair at the multitude of mine offences； because I am now abominable and unacceptable to Christ； being a rebel and a foeman unto him。 What； then； sayest thou； dearest son； hereto？ Make known to me thine answer； and teach me that am thy father what I should do； and lead me to the knowledge of my true weal。〃
When Ioasaph had received this letter； and read the words therein； his soul was filled with mingled joy and amazement。 Forthwith he entered his closet； and falling on his face before the image of his Master； watered the ground with his tears； giving thanks to his Lord and confessing him； and tuning lips of exultation to sing an hymn of praise； saying：
〃I will magnify thee； O God； my King； and I will praise thy name for ever and ever。 Great art thou O Lord； and marvellous…worthy to be praised； and of thy greatness there is no end。 Who can express thy noble acts； or show forth all thy praise； who hast turned the hard rock into a standing water and the flint…stone into a springing well？ For behold this my father's flinty and more than granite heart is at thy will melted as wax； because thou art able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham。 I thank thee； Lord； thou lover of men； and God of pity； that thou hast been； and art； long…suffering towards our offences； and hast suffered us until now to go unpunished。 Long have we deserved to be cast away from thy face； and made a by…word on earth； as were the sinful inhabiters of the five ci