The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-04-29
ST. PATRICK AND ST. BRIDGET.

ferhaps you have wondered WHY so many
OF our Irish friends are named Patrick, and
Bridget; or smiled at hearing your old nurse
tell you how" Shure and St. Patrick did
banish every crater of shnake from ould Ire
lana Let US see what history has to say on
the subject.
More than thousand years ago, in the year
of our Lord 1854, a Young Roman, named Pat
rex, was carried away c:ptive into Ireland
The son OF Christian parents. he was set to
tenc HOOKS in strange, wild land, among bar
narlans. Both English and Irish were at this
time little better than savages and though but
BOY OF ,ixteen Patrick felt as If he mnst do
something to enlighten them. After while
ne escaped. went back TO his parents and to
all the comforts of home, bnt day and night he
was haunted by the thought Of the poor Irish
chlldren, living like beasts in their hogs, and
kieeiing down to pray before images of stone
II seemed as it from over sea and land. he could
penoio them stretching ont their little hands
10 hlnl for salvation
so Patrick went into o convent of Augustine
monks, and studied until he was fitted for a
preacher all the while feeling that those little
sao hands becSOned him to come and help
them In due time CelestiEe. who was then
rope gave the young monk bis ]0nged- for
mission and he set forth for Ireland. Here
Tiatrlck landed among strangers and enemies
lie met oil manner of insults. dangers and IA
-SuCSS UIslVc Ill;tIf. UO HIS up 1iS
1I,Ind TO work. does not pause for hardshpS.
lie gathered the poor people about him in lanes
and squares, and preached. taught. comfOrted,
helped them; till at last from oil over the
country, they focked to hear his voice.
Many whom Patrick converted began to as
sist him in teaching and preaching, while the
good mork argued with kings and chiefs Of
whom, such as they were. Ireland was fall,
and baptized theD His followers preached
in every green lane and started q school In
every ham ct. See what can come of resOlu-
ton anda noble heart! The lone herdsbov
was not only blessed and beloved by every
lone soul in barbarOus Ireland. but he was
called at last to preach before the assembled
kings and chiefs at Tara; and though Neill
the chief monarch, refused to listen to him. he
baptized the kings of Dublin and Munster, and
the seven sons of the of king Connaught.
All this work was not accomplished in a mo-
ment. Patrick labored steadily for forty years
in his chosen field. Then he died and ,yos
buried at Down In Ulster. leaving Ireland a
Christian nation, full Of religious schools and
churches that sent forth crowds of missiona-
ries all over western Europe Now, Won know
Sin is called the Great Serpent. and the renIiies
that Patrick banished from Ireland were sim
ply sins; and misfortunes, heathenism ignor-
ance, stupfdity-these are more harmful than
snakes and toads.
:, during his labors Patrick found that women
listened to him even more readily than men,
ana were more grateful fer his words. They
wove MIN garments, and Get forth the best In
Ineir poor cabins for him to eat and drink.
The same was true of his disciples; and, In
return they had especial pity for the women,
Who were used like beasts of burden by their |
savage husbands One day two holy men, dis:
ciples of st. Patrick, come upon a sorrowful
woman with child in her arms she was SO
them think of tie story of Hagar and Ishmael
in the Scriptures. On questioning her, they
fOuni she was indeed kind of Hagar. Like
Patrick she had been seized In youth. and
brought to Ireland as slave. Her captor,