world, the pillar of the faith, and a second John the Baptist.*

St. Athanasius was born, circa A. D. 298, in the flourishing city of Alexandria, the throne of Christianity in Egypt; the Church whose school of divinity was the best trained, and whose patriarch was chief over the other Egyptian bishops. At the time of Athanasius' birth the patriarch was Alexander, a good and faithful ruler of the Church. The names of the parents of the saint have not been transmitted to us; this much only we know, that they were remarkable for their goodness and piety, and so the first lessons that their only child (for we learn that Athanasius had neither brother nor sister) would imbibe, were probably those of affection and holiness; and who can tell how much influence their example, during these early years, may have had upon the future bishop and saint?

We do not find much account of his childhood; one story is, however, told of it, which has been considered as almost of a prophetic character.

The good archbishop Alexander was one day waiting in his dwelling for some expected guests, when, happening to look out of the window, his attention was arrested by a group of children playing on the sea shore. They had taken upon them

* Greg. Naz. quoted by Cave.

the various offices of an episcopal college, and one, the eldest, and, to all appearance, the leader of the little band, was personating the bishop, and imitating such of his functions as a child might be acquainted with. Some of his playmates were brought to him as catechumens, or candidates for baptism, whom he examined carefully, and then ordered to be admitted to the holy rite, imitating even the ceremony itself. The patriarch seems to have thought it right to inquire into the matter, probably wishing to explain to the children the impropriety of trespassing in their games upon holy limits, for he sent some of his attendant priests to summon the little self-appointed bishop and his college to his presence.

Not unnaturally, the boys were alarmed at the interruption, and possibly felt some consciousness that their play was not altogether right; for when the bishop asked, whether they had not been representing some of the Christian rites, fear got the better of truth, and one or two hesitated or denied it. But the little Athanasius stepped boldly forward, owned to their occupation, and by his straightforward, earnest manner, convinced the patriarch that he had entered upon it in innocency of heart, and without any irreverential feeling. We can imagine the kindly admonition bestowed on the little group; but the bishop did not stop there;

his interest was excited, he inquired into the parentage of Athanasius, and took upon himself the charge of his education, directing it with a view to the priesthood, though we can scarcely suppose him to have contemplated that his young favourite would one day succeed him on the episcopal throne, and fill so distinguished a part thereon.*

Athanasius seems to have early set his ambition more on becoming a useful, devoted labourer in the cause of his Crucified Master, than on worldly advancement. We are told that, although his natural intellect was acute and brisk, his reasoning powers quick and clear, and his judgment staid and solid, he soon abandoned secular learning and pursuits for the grave and severe studies of theology and controversy; in those days perhaps more necessary than now, because Christianity was then but struggling for the supremacy it has since obtained, and those professing it were often called upon to argue or defend their tenets, in subtle and learned discussions, with heathens or sectarians of great attainments and acute powers of reasoning.

The Church of Alexandria in particular was famous for her argumentative teaching. Her re

* Since this was written, Mr. Keble's poem on this incident has been published, "Enacting Holy Rites."-Lyra Inno· centium.

ST. ATHANASIUS.

:

A sea of troubles tried thee, till at length,
Borne back by thy strong sinew, they upreared
Thy might, and sternly bore thee in thy strength
Onward, till on the Eternal Rock appear'd
Truth's loyal champion, to all time rever❜d.

Great Athanasius! beaten by wild breath
Of calumny, and exile, and of wrong,
Thou wert familiar grown with frowning death,
Looking him in the face all thy life long,

Till thou and he were friends, and thou wert strong.

The "Eye of Alexandria," raised on high,
Unto all Christendom a beacon light:

Thou from our tossing waves and stormy sky

Art in thy peaceful haven hid from sight;

But still thy name hath leave to guide us thro' the night.

THE CATHEDRAL.

B