The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-03-17
CITY HNTELLIGE NC Il.
ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

DIs DAls
IreIand's Patron saInt-HIs Public and Fri-
vRte Career-The ObsSs 7ance 0i t"o N"9
Services, Sermons, md Suppers'
1ne l7th of March has long Deen SCI sPalt as
day sacred to the memory OF the irlsh Apostle ~
Saint, and Prophet, st. Patrick. III VIII DC Iuliy
observed by ali his faithful followers a..
st. Patrick was born somewhere aoouC IIe
wear A. d. 3T2 but contrary to what might
naturally be expected, was not native OF Ire
land That country, with which his history is
intimately connected, was the land of his adop-
ton only IL is not known wnesner nt is.bt ~
he considered his birthplace. But, wherever
born. he was of aristocratc pareutage, is said to
have been stolen away by band of pirates
when he was sixteen years of age, and sold into
slavery in Ireland. For seven years he was
compelled to adopt the occupation OF swineherd
on Mount Sleamish, in county Antrim. The
country was then inhabited by heather, whose
language and customs he spent his time in
acquiring. Having managed at length to escape
from bondage, he made his way through great
difficulties to the continent, where he was sue
cessively ordained deacon, priest, and bishop.
He then returned to the country of his
bondage and began to preach the
gospel to the Irish heather. He was
most yehemently opposed in this by the priests
of the old Druidieal belief. These priests are
said to have dealt in miracles and magic of the
most astounding description. They directed
all their magic arts to the putting down of the
Christian bishop, who in turn was forced to
resort to the same measures. By his miraculous
power he cursed the fertile lands of his oppo-
nents and caused them to become barren, he
cursed the rivers and the fish deserted them, he
cursed their pots SO that they could not boil
their witching broth, and finally cursed the
Druids themselves when the earth yawned and
swallowed them up.
Among the miracles attributed to him is one
of making fire with Jumps of ice, and another
the famous one of driving reptiles of all kinds
from the island by the beating of drum. The
drum was broken during the progress OF this
act, and an angel opportunely appeared and
mended it. The drum, patch and all, was on
exhibition for several centuries in. Ireland. St.
Patrick died at Saul, in his one hundred and
twentyfrst year, on the 18th OF March, 493.
Various localities claim the honor of his last
resting place. What is said to be his jaw-bone
has been for many years in the possession of a
family residing near Belfast. 1t is used to cure
diseases, to defend from witches, and to prove
innocence.
The day will be celebrated in various ways in
this city. This afternoon the Hibernian Society
will give their annual dinner, General Robert
Patterson presiding. 1t takes place at o'clock
at the Continental. The Celtic Association does
the same thing at ~ o'clock this evening al
the La Pierre House, with DR.. X. Shelton
Mackenzie in the chair. The annual ball of the
Fenian Brotherhood will be held in Musical
Fund Hall. A lecture on the Saint will be de-
livered in the Academy of Music this evening
In former times it was customary fol
the Irish societies to get up street parades
but the proVerbial poorness of the weather or
the occasion has caused this proceeding to fall
into disuse.
The Religious Seruices To-day at 81. Patrick''
Church.-The religious observance of the festi
val of St. Patrick at St. Patrick's Catholic
Church, 1wenty-fourth and Locust streets, was
anost interesting occasion, participated in by
an immense multitude of persons. The cere'
monies did not commence until 1019 o'clock
but long efore that hour the church was crowded
to suffocation. The affairs were handsomely
decorated and illuminated, and the clergy were
all clad in rich and becoming vestments.
Solemn Pontifcal Mass was celebrated by
Right Rev. Bishop Becker, OF Wilmington, Del.
with the following assistants:-Assistant Priest
Rev. James E. Mulholland; Deacon of the Mass
Rev. Ignatius Horstmann d. D.; Sub Deacon
Rev. d. Kennedy; Deacons of Honor, Rev.J
Elcock and kev. James O'Reilley; Masters o
Ceremony, Rev. A. j. McConomy and Rev.
j. Boyle. The sermon was preached by Rev
Thomas w. Power, of st. Mary's Church, an
was an eloquent portrayal of the life and doing
of Ireland's Patron Saint. The services did nc
conclude until nearly one o'clock.