The Final Word: Saint Aristides — Converted Greek Philosopher of Athens (c. 125 AD);
from his Apology on Christianity
​

As I have learned from their writings, O King, [Christians] have come nearer to truth and genuine knowledge than the rest of the nations. For they know and trust in God, the Creator of heaven and of earth, in Whom and from Whom are all things. Therefore they do not commit adultery or fornication. They do not bear false witness. They do not embezzle what is held in pledge, nor do they covet that which is not theirs. They honor father and mother and show kindness to those who are near to them. Whenever they are judges, they judge uprightly. They do not worship idols made in the likeness of man. Whatever they would not wish others to do to them, they do not do to others. They do not eat food that is consecrated to idols, for they are pure. They comfort their oppressors and make them their friends. They do good to their enemies.
Their women, O King, are pure as virgins, and their daughters are modest. Their men keep themselves from every unlawful union and from all uncleanness—in the hope of a reward in the world to come. Furthermore, if nay of them have male or female slaves, or children, out of love for them, they persuade them to become Christians. When they have done so, they call them brothers, without any distinction. They do not worship strange gods, and they go their way in all modesty and cheerfulness. Falsehood is not found among them. And they love one another. They do not turn away their care from widows, and they deliver the orphan from anyone who treats him harshly. He who has, gives to him who has not. And this is done without boasting.
When they see a stranger, they take him into their homes, and they rejoice over him as their own brother in faith. For they do not call themselves brothers after the flesh, but brothers after the spirit and in God. When-ever one of the poor among them passes from this world, each one of them gives heed to him, according to his ability, and carefully sees to his burial. And if they hear that one of their number is imprisoned or afflicted because of the name of their Christ, all of them carefully attend to his needs. If it is possible to redeem him, they set him free. If there are any poor and needy among them and they themselves have no spare food to give, they fast two or three days in order to supply the necessary food to the needy.
They follow the commandments of their Christ with much care, living justly and seriously, just as the Lord their God commanded them. Every morning and every hour they give thanks and praise to God for His loving-kindnesses to them. They give thanksgiving to Him for their food and drink. If any righteous man among them passes from this world, they rejoice and offer thanks to God. They escort his body as if he were setting out on a journey from one place to a greater place. And when a child has been born to any of them, they give thanks to God.