perfect, entertain perfect sentiments of virtue: for God is
ready to bestow on you who desire to do well." After the most tender
salutations of many in particular, and of all in general, especially
the virgins who were called widows, (_i.e._ the deaconesses, who
were called widows, because they were often such, though these were
virgins,) he closes his letter by praying for their advancement in
all charity, grace, mercy, peace, and patience. St. Ign. ep. ad
Smyrnaeos, p. 872, ed. Cotel.

The apostolic St. Ignatius writes as follows, in his letter to St.
Polycarp. "Thy resolution in God, founded as it were upon an
unshaken rock, I exceedingly commend, having been made worthy of thy
holy face, which I pray I may enjoy in God. I conjure thee in the
grace with which thou art enriched, to increase thy stock in thy
course, and to exhort all that they may be saved. Have great care of
unity and concord, than which nothing is better. Bear with all men,
that God may bear with thee; bear all men by charity, as thou dost
apply thyself to prayer without interruption. Ask more perfect
understanding than thou hast. Watch, seeing that the spirit which
sleepeth not, dwelleth within thee. Speak to every one according to
the grace which God giveth thee. Bear the weaknesses and distemper
of all as a stout champion. Where the labor is greater, the gain is
exceeding great. If thou lovest the disciples that are good, thou
deservest not thanks; strive rather to subdue the wicked by
meekness. Every wound is not healed by the same plaster; assuage
inflammations by lenitives. Be not intimidated by those who seem
worthy of faith, yet teach things that are foreign. Stand firm, as
an anvil which is beaten: it is the property of a true champion to
be struck and to conquer. Let not the widows be neglected. Let
religious assemblies be most frequent. Seek out every one in them by
name. Despise not the slaves, neither suffer them to be puffed up;
but to the glory of God let them serve with greater diligence, that
they may obtain of God a better liberty. Let them not desire that
their liberty be purchased or procured for them by the congregation,
lest they fall under the slavery of their own passions. Fly evil
artifices; let them not be so much as named. Engage my sisters to
love the Lord, and never entertain a though