_Ephraem Syrus_, another eminent Monk, who was contemporary with _Basil_, and died the same year; in the end of his Encomium or Oration upon _Basil_ then newly dead, invokes him after this manner: _Intercede for me, a very miserable man; and recal me by thy intercessions, O father; thou who art strong, pray for me who am weak; thou who art diligent, for me who am negligent; thou who art chearful, for me who am heavy; thou who art wise, for me who am foolish. Thou who hast treasured up a treasure of all virtues, be a guide to me who am empty of every good work_. In the beginning of his Encomium upon the forty Martyrs, written at the same time, he thus invokes them: _Help me therefore, O ye Saints, with your intercession; and O ye beloved, with your holy prayers, that _Christ_ by his grace may direct my tongue to speak_, &c. and afterwards mentioning the mother of one of these forty Martyrs, he concludes the Oration with this prayer: _I entreat thee, O holy, faithful, and blessed woman, pray for me to the Saints, saying; Intercede ye that triumph in _Christ_, for the most little and miserable _Ephraem_, that he may find mercy, and by the grace of _Christ_ may be saved_. Again, in his second Sermon or Oration on the praises of the holy Martyrs of _Christ_, he thus addresses them: _We entreat you most holy Martyrs, to intercede with the Lord for us miserable sinners, beset with the filthiness of negligence, that he would infuse his divine grace into us_: and afterwards, near the end of the same discourse; _Now ye most holy men and glorious Martyrs of God, help me a miserable sinner with your prayers, that in that dreadful hour I may obtain mercy, when the secrets of all hearts shall be made manifest. I am to day become to you, most holy Martyrs of _Christ_, as it were an unprofitable and unskilful cup-bearer: for I have delivered to the sons and brothers of your faith, a cup of the excellent wine of your warfare, with the excellent table of your victory, replenished with all sorts of dainties. I have endeavoured, with the whole affection and desire of my mind, to recreate your fathers and brothers, kindred and relations, who daily frequent the table. For behold they sing, and with exultation and jubilee glorify God, who has crown'd your virtues, by setting on your most sacred heads incorruptible and celestial crowns; they with excessive joy stand about the sacred reliques of your martyrdoms, wishing for a blessing, and desiring to bear away holy medicines both for the body and the mind. As good disciples and faithful ministers of our benign Lord and Saviour, bestow therefore a blessing on them all: and on me also, tho weak and feeble, who having received strength by your merits and intercessions, have with the whole devotion of my mind, sung a hymn to your praise and glory before your holy reliques. Wherefore I beseech you stand before the throne of the divine Majesty for me _Ephraem_, a vile and miserable sinner, that by your prayers