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circumstances; and that it was my will to contribute myself, and all I possessed, to the service of the Lord.

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His reply was.....that I should meet him at Nicodemia, and that he would in the mean time consult Kerinthus .....styled our prophet.....as to the disposition of the Lord respecting me. Sacrificing......without a moment's hesitation......all that ease......affluence .......and comfort, which such a fortune, and the love of my fellow-citizens, would have procured me........ I took my passage immediately for Nicodemia......under pretence of visiting an estate in Bithynia......that I might not lose a moment in attaining to the glories which awaited the Children of Light.

I was received by Hegesias with brotherly love......He introduced me to the society, which was small, `and blindly guided by the influence of

their prophet.......But what ravished my soul was his assurances that the great Kerinthus was satisfied with the zeal I had hitherto manifested, and was disposed to draw the last curtain, that I might take a view of those sacred mysteries, which the greatest part of our brethren were only allowed to know symbolically.

My soul was raised to the pinnacle of expectation,....and for several weeks I received preparatory instructions from Hegesias, which he pronounced with a sanctity and solemnity altogether calculated to mould me to his entire will.....I was irradiated......I felt as if a stream of heavenly light had burst upon me from the sky.....and, divested of all animal incumbrances...I thought I floated on the bosom of the I was, however, disappointed....the essons I had received from Hegesias were a mere trial of my principles.....

pure

air.

The grand mysteries were still withheld.....They satisfied themselves with its operation on my enthusiasm.....and saw,......that to remove the bandage would be to destroy the avidity of my inflamed temper.......They did a better thing, by contriving that I should, of my own free will and accord, vest them with my full inheritance, to assist the advancement of the kingdom of God.

Hereupon I was appointed a Missionary......And, as I was rather too sleek and well-looking to give an idea of penitence and mortification......my good Hegesias......very ingeniously..... thought of a remedy, by enjoining me to observe several months' rigorous fastings.

This succeeded to a miracle......and I was fairly changed into the ghost of Proteus.

At length Hegesias told me I was

to accompany him on a mission..... Whither he did not say.......Unconditional observance of the will of the Prophet was.......with us.......a sacred duty.

We made a long journey, wandering all over Bithynia.....Galatia.....and Phrygia.....visiting.....and inspiring..... our brethren with holy admonition, and at last reached Iconium, where Kerinthus was at the head of his principal institution.........We found him surrounded by his pupils.......He received me with unreserved kindness ......and I had no doubt left of my being in the list of his confidential followers.

He distinguished me from others of our brethren, whom he had alike appointed itinerant Apostles.......assured me he would no longer keep any secret from me......and I was the easy ......simple......unconscious......dupe of this exquisitely refined artifice.

While I was preparing for my apostolate at Iconium, I became intimately acquainted with a young pupil of the name of Dionysius.....he had travelled for ten years from one seminary of philosophy to another, in pursuit of knowledge.

He met with Hegesias on their route........and through him became acquainted with Kerinthus, who so ingratiated themselves into his affection, that he resolved to become a disciple of their order.

We were mutually pleased with each other at first sight........had frequent private meetings.......but somehow or other.......from his having a colder temper than myself, we never came to a full and confidential explanation of each other's sentiments...... I was charmed with his society, which was at once useful and entertaining; and when the hour of separation came

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