“ The remaining 43 years of Augustine's life were devoted to the service of the Church. He returned to Africa, was made presbyter in 301, and bishop of Hippo in 305, which latter office he held until his death. It was a period of political and theological unrest, for, while the barbarians pressed in upon the Empire, even sacking Rome itself, schism and heresy also threatened the Church. .Augustine threw himself into the theological conflict, not from inclination, hut from a sense of duty. With voice and pen he waged war, and usually he conquered. ”

“ With its fundamental principle of conflict between two opposing world-powers, symbolized by light and darkness, good and evil. Manichicism seemed to Augustine to correspond to the facts of experience, and to furnish the most plausible hypothesis upon which to construct a philosophical and ethical system. ”

“ One of the greatest obstacles to his conversion was this state of concubinage, against whose bondage lie struggled for a long time in vain; he seemed to be sincerely and deeply attached to the object of his passion, to whom he was faithful for many years. ”