Father Mazzolin pointed out the passage no later than last week, to remove the doubts which I confess I entertained, as to whether it was proper and in accordance with the practise of the Fathers to implore such intercession." "And does your conviction rest on so frail a basis?
Hear what the Rev.Dr.Milner says on this subject, in the first volume of his Ecclesiastical History;" and taking it from the shelf, Mary read: 'The book of Meditations, though more known to English readers than any other of the works ascribed to Augustine, on account of the translation of it into our language by Stanhope, seems not to be his, both on account of its style, which is sententious, concise, abrupt, and void of any of those classical elegancies which now and then appear in our author's genuine writings; and also, on account of the prayers to deceased saints which it contains.

This last circumstance peculiarly marks it to have been of a later date than the age of Augustine.

Frauds of this, kind were commonly practised on the works of the Fathers in the monastic times.' "And why, Florry, does it peculiarly mark it as spurious?
Because, had he entertained these views on so vital a point, the expression of them would most certainly have occurred in his other very voluminous works.
I have searched his Confessions for instances of this invocation, either from himself or anxious mother, and had he believed, as the Catholic prelates assert, in this intercession of the dead, it would most assuredly have been sought in the hour of his suffering and fear, lest he should be given over.

But I find none.

On the contrary, these two passages occur in his Confessions: 'I now sought the way of obtaining strength to enjoy thee, and found it not, till I embraced the mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ, who is above all, God, blessed forever, calling and saying I am the way, the truth, and the life.' And here, Florry, is another extract from the same book still more conclusive--'Whom shall I look to as my mediator?
Shall I go to angels?
Many have tried this, and have been fond of visions, and have deserved to be the sport of the illusions which they loved.