Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-04-27

things for religion, and always proved true
to the faith, no matter by what pains and
penalties their fortitude and constancy
have been tried. ~ a8e L
But we are confident we speak the truth
when we say that the name of St. Patrick
is more honored than any of them at the
present day. 1t is beloved and revered in
the island where his works achieved so
much for the Catholic Church. In Ireland
colleges and churches are profusely called
by his name, and, at least, one-tourth of
our male population know no Christian
name but that of Patrick for there is hard
ly family in the country that has not
Patrick belonging to the household.
If we 90 to England, we find many
churches dedicated to the worship of God,
upon which the name of st. Patrick has
been invoked. In Scotland, we shall find
a similar state of things; and, then, if we
cross the Atlantic and pass through Canada
and the United States, we shall find large
number of churches bearing st. Patrick's
name. In New York, Brooklyn, Philadel
phia, Baltimore, st. Louis and Cincinnati,
and almost every city of note in the Union,
the sons and daughters of Ireland raise up
grand temples upon which his name is in
voked, and in which the mysteries he cele-
brated in Ireland are continued, for the ed
iication of his faithful spiritual children.
In California, beside the waters of the
Pacific Ocean, he is also remembered, and
his name possesses even a greater charm
there than in the Green Isle, which he
converted to the Christian faith Austria
liza, too, pays our patron saint suitable hon
ors. The children of Ireland erect temples
hoo ho1f
century, the name of ST. Patrick will be as
well known at the antipodes as it is on the
banks of the Shannon, the SUR, or the
Boyne.
Thus it may be seen that the fame of our
patron saint encircles the globe. 1t may
be truely said that the sun never sets on
the temples upon which his name has been
invoked, and, in this respect, st. Patrick
may be said to have acquired more infu-
ence over the Catholic mind, than that of
any other saint in the calendar Can any
one state how this has come to pass? Does
he watch over us in heaven? Does he pray
continually that those whose fathers he
converted may ever continue true to the
faith and not only true, but also practical
members of the Irish Church?
| We believe, whatever may be said to the
contrary, that the children of St. Patrick
are the most religious in the world. They
are divided in opinion on many questions,
but let religion or its interests become en-
dangered, and there is no division amongst
them. Then they drop all controversy
close up their ranks, and life, liberty and
property are freely sacrificed on behalf of
the faith once delivered to the saints =
| They gave up their lands sooner than sur
render that faith They forfeited honors
suffered torture, and surrendered life itself
before they would abandon the Church of
St. Patrick.
England may boast of her wealth, and
the grandeur she enjoys, but what man,
who possesses the smallest portion of com
mon sense, would compare these perishable
things with the great treasure Ireland pos
sesses in the faith preached and planted by
our patron saint? In the preservation of
that faith, true heroism was displayed
Fourteen hundred years have passed since
St. Patrick closed his eyes, and went to a
better world to receive his reward, and the
veneration for his virtues, his labor and his
sanctity are still green in the hearts of the
Irish. The emissaries Of the evil one en-
deavored to seduce them, but no brides, nc
stratagenls could make them swerve from
the faith and we are certain the time shall
never come which shall witness them less
Catholic than they are now, or less warm in
their respect for the memory and virtues OF
St Patrick-Bost0n Pilot.