The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-03-21

sions were entertained, however, and the sad
realization of his untimely death came with
crushing effect upon his family and friends,
and more particularly stunning to his sister
who first discovered the inanimate form sus-
pended in the barn.
The family have the sincere sympathy OF
large circle of friends and relatives.
ST. PATRICKs DAY.-Last Sunday, the
18th, was we'll observed in almost all the
cities of the United States by Irish Ameri-
can citizens, in honor of The Patron Saint
of old Ireland. The ceremonies were prin-
cipally of religious character, and what
ever of street demonstration had been de-
termined upon, was, in the main, post
poned until Monday. In Staunton there
was no formal observance of the day, the
exercises at the Catholic Church being OF
the usual character. The weather was as
variable as April-a season ofsunshine and
shower, and contrasred strongly with that
of the last 18th of March, when the earth
was covered with snow and the air raw and
biting.
The exact date and place of tine birth OF
st. Patrick is uncertain, but it was near
about the year 372. He died at Down, us
ter, March 18th, 493 or 495. The name OF
Patricius was bestowed on him in Rome by
Pope Celestine, his original name having
been Succath. At the age of 16 he was car
ried captive to Ireland by band OF marau-
ders, but after six years escaped to Scot
land. Carried off a second and again escap-
ing, he resolved to become missionary to
the Irish, was ordained in Scotland, and af-
ter long preparation was consecrated
Bishop. Having previously, according to
some accounts, visited Gaul and perhaps
Italy, he passed over to his chosen field OF
labor about 1872 and preached the gospel
with such extraordinary effect that, although
not the first to introduce Christianity into
chat coun try, he has always received the
credit of its general conversion. He bap-
tized the kings of Dublin and Munster, and
the seven sons of the King of Cannaugh,
with the greater part of their subjects, and
before his death had converted almost the
whole island to the faith. St. Bernard tes-
titles that he fixed his metropolitan see at
Arma; yh. and it appears that he appointed
several other bishops, with whom he hello
councils to settle the discipline Of the Church
He is said in his old age to have written his
s'confe ssion,'' but its authenticity is consid
cred doubtful by many. Patrick devoted
the Ian DIS bestowed OH him to the foundation
of chur ches, of cloisters for both sexes, and
of mum erous monastic schools, which flour.
ished during the next three centuries. He
was ais % Jealous for the suppression OF sla
very, which was one of the great incentives
to the piratical expeditions so frequent ir
his day. The performance Of many miracles
is ascrl bed to him, the most prominent O.
which, was the expulsion of the reptiles
from the Green Isle.
Sunday night, Father Fitzsimmons
of St. Francis Church, delivered a most in
teresting and beautiful sermon on the lif
and character of St. Patrick. He founded
his discourse on the parable Of the ten tai
| ents, and after some general remarks, sale
that to st. Patrick had been given talents o.
the highest order. and how he had profittet
by them, can be judged from his work
which after IA centuries stands out in boli
! relief and challenges the admiration of TO
| only the country which claims him as hel
! delivereY, but of all countries whereve
| the foot of the Celt has trod.
After recounting the principal events 0
| st. Patrick's life, the minister said that his
tory and tradition assure us that lie died o.
the 18th of March, 1876. The Catholic Churc
celebrates the day OF saint g death, not the
day of his birth, because it is at his deaf
that he enters upon the new life-the life t
which the Church wishes to lead her child
rem. The only exceptions to this rule ar
the Blessed Virgin, and st. John the Bar
tist-the former was conceived without sin
the latter was sanctiied in his mother
womb.
AllusioD was then made to the perpetut
of the work of St. Patrick, despite the pei
secutions to which it was subjected. Neithe
the invasions of Henry II nor the tyranni
| CdI stuu UiOuuy >GatubeS VI I1tIFy V IL. ISlCL
ard vi and Elizabeth were able to eradcat
it from the soil of Ireland. The fait
brought to its shores centuries ago continue
to exist, even with more splender and ma:
nificence to- day than it did at any time du
ing the life OF the saint himself Not onl
Ireland, but all the nation of the eartl
have proftted by his preaching. The Iris
are the chosen people of God to preser,
and diffuse the light of the Gospel through
out the earth. Other nations received tn
seed of the Gospel in the beginning. b.
what is the state OF chose countries to-day
Idolatry reIgns in them supreme. 1relan
alone has been true to her mission, and tt
Irish alone are not ashamed of their cOu
Try and OF their religion. II we continue
, improve what has been entrusted to U.S.
, live according to the precepts taught us
Oar mother country, we will prove on
selves worthy sons Of st. patrick and Il
: Emerald Isle, and when our earthly c0uri
is at an end, will be deemed worthy
: hear from the lips OF our Master the graf
full welcome, swell done good and faithi
servant