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INTRODUCTION.

The affecting spectacle of a God expiring on a cross for thesalvation of all mankind, who, in his dying moments, even forgavehis executioners—his disciples constantly preaching the duty ofloving our neighbour as ourselves—the doctrine of the Gospel, whichproves that all men are equal in the eyes of their Creator—mustnaturally revive in the human breast that sensibility so long stifledby the erroneous tenets of idolatrous lawgivers and philosophers.

Fabiola*', a Roman lady, moved by the tears and groans ofthe wounded and dying mercilessly left extended in the publicsquares of the city, felt, from the principles of her religion, that itwas the duty of the rich in this world to alleviate the distress of thesuffering poor, and afford them shelter in their misfortunes; shetherefore instantly devoted her immense fortune to the constructionof a spacious edifice, in a healthy situation, for the reception of thesick and infirm, where they were supplied with proper food, andevery possible assistance.

The Christian emperors in the East likewise vied with eachother m establishing houses on the same plan. Constantinoplealone soon contained thirty-five charitable institutions, in which the

* See Encyclopedic Methodique, Art. Ilopital.

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