Abstract
(Conclusion)|These are eleven letters of Saint Cyprian which are consolatory. It has been shown that the nature of the consolation is varied and that it is based upon the faith and trust o£ his readers. He appeals to their faith that God has kept His promises in the past and that He is fully able and willing to keep all promises not yet fulfilled. By stressing this, Cyprian assures his troubled reader that the present distresses will come to an end and that there will be better times ahead. He is also able, by relying on the authority of Scripture, to assure the disconsolate of an eternal reward for patient endurance of trials. That reward is eternal life in heaven.|Cyprian employs a number of methods to accomplish his purpose of consolation. For the most part he uses direct references to Scripture. He is also an artful user of many indirect references to Scripture. It has also been shown that Cyprian uses a fine psychological approach, an appeal to the emotions. with good effect.|The examples which have been quoted have also shown that Cyprian had mastered the art of writing. His language is simple and direct. He employs many figures, but uses only such as are readily understandable.|Finally, this work has shown Cyprian to have been a real comforter especially because he had a real sympathy and love toward those to whom he wrote. Among all the other skills observed in this work, •none stands out quite so well as his ability to place himself into the other person's situation and then to speak from his heart to the heart of his reader, making his thought match the reader's. This is not merely an artistic tour de force, a kind of Ethopoiia as in the case of such a writer as Lysias, but is a true example of Christ-like love uniting with the object of its solicitude. In Cyprian we have not only one who is a fine Christian, sincere believer: but also one who uses his Christian beliefs for the benefit of the downtrodden and subjugated of his time.