e thought that they would take up
too much time. So he next resolved to make a trial of Platonism; and
this time he was more successful.

"In my helpless condition it occurred to me to have a meeting with the
Platonists, for their fame was great. I thereupon spent as much of my
time as possible with one who had lately settled in our city--a
sagacious man holding a high position among the Platonists--and I
progressed and made the greatest improvements daily. And the perception
of immaterial things quite overpowered me, and the contemplation of
ideas furnished my mind with wings, so that in a little while I supposed
that I had become wise; and such was my folly that I expected forthwith
to look upon God, for this is the end of Plato's philosophy."

Justin then proceeds to give a remarkably interesting and graphic
account of his conversion to Christianity:

"And while I was thus disposed, when I wished to be filled with great
quietness and to shun the path of men, I used to go into a certain field
not far from the sea. And when I was near that spot one day where I
purposed to be by myself, a certain old man of dignified appearance,
exhibiting meek and venerable manners, followed me at a little distance.
And when I turned around on him, having halted, I fixed my eyes rather
keenly upon him."

Justin gets into conversation with the old man and says that he delights
in solitary spots, where his attention is not distracted and where his
converse with himself is uninterrupted, and proceeds to a fervid
laudation of philosophy.

"'Does philosophy, then, make happiness?' said he, interrupting.
'Assuredly,' said I, 'and it alone.' 'What, then, is philosophy?' he
said, 'and what is happiness? Pray tell me, unless something hinders you
from saying.'

"'Philosophy,' said I, 'is a knowledge of that which really exists and a
clear perception of truth, and happiness is the reward of such knowledge
and wisdom.' 'But what do you call God?' said he. 'That which always
maintains the same nature and is the cause of all other things--that,
indeed, is God.' So I answered him, and he listened with pleasure."

The conversation, which is too long to be fully transcribed, turns on
the attributes of the soul. Justin discourses on that topic after the
manner of the Platonists. The old man, on the other hand, urges him to
study the prophets of the Old Testament, for they predicted the coming
of Christ, and their prophecies have been fulfilled.