Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1884-12-25

or they glowed with the holy lights of
the new and triumphant faith-the beau
tifal Bethlehem Star shining over all.
New temples have arisen in Rome.
They uplift the cross. Ths golden sea-
son of the Saturnalia comes and goes, but
the Festival of Christ is celebrated in
stead. Rome is filled with holy rejeic-
ing, the Roman children sing of the Star
of Bethlehem, masses are chanted-the
heather festival has become Christmas
The Church, mighty in its faith, is
praying for the conversion Of the world.
Missionaries go forth into all the prov>
noes of the vast Roman Empire.
About the year 432. st. Patrick made
. holy journey. He came to Ireland. He
found the people idolators, worshipping
under the oaks, their bards and poets
ignorant of the true God; and as St.
Patrick was asinging prophet and teach
er. the simple folks of Ireland, ever deep
ly stirred by song and slequence. listened
to him. They were moved by the beau
tifui story of Christ, and the hope of an
eternal life. Thousands were baptized
into the new faith. Churches sprung up
over the green land as il by magic. st.
Patrick preached in ireland for some
thirty years, aud we Cannot wonder that
the Irish people still recall his mission
with love, and speak Of him with rever
ence.
The scene of his greatest triumph was
Tara. There he instituted the wonder-
full Christmas festivals of Rome. There
his grand missionary anthems were In
spired. According to tradition. he tirst
sang his memorable hymn, "Chsist be
with me" on one of the religious Christ
masses in the royal halls of Tara. 1t isa
rapture of devotion and conservation:
To Tara to-day may the strength of God
pilot me;
May the power of God preserve me;
May the wisdom of God instruct me;
May the eye of God view me;
May the ear of God hear me;
May the word of God make me eloquent; ;
May the hand of God protect me;
May the way of God direct me;
May the shield of God defend me;
Christ be with me,
Christ on my right hand,
Christ on my left hand,
Christ in the heart of all to whom Ispeak
me,
Christ in the eye of all who see me.
Christ in the ear of all who bear me.
There lived in Geneva. Hear the close
of the fifth century, most beautiful
Christian girl. She was called the loye+
liest woman in the world. She was alse
beautiful in character, and spent her
time in works of charity.
Clovis, King of the Franks, heard Of
the beauty of Clotilde. According to the
old story, he sent a noble Roman, Aure+
lian, commissioning him, if he found
her loveliness as great as her fame. to
woo her for him, and bring her TO Rheims
the Frankish capital. Aurslian went to
Geneva clothed in rags. He appeared
before the fair Cletilde as begear. She
received him with pity. Kneeling, she
began to wash bis feet.
Lady" said Aurelian, II would speak
to thee. l am no mendicant,' said be.
81 am a kings ambassador. King Clovis
desires to make thee his queen. Wilt thou
take and wear this ripg?"
Clotilde put upon her finger the jewel
of Clovis; and by the act she made the
France of the future one of the Christian
empires of the world.
In 496, a German army crossed the
Rhine, warring upon Clovis. The great
battle of Cologne was fought. At q point
of tue battle, the Franks were in much
peril. Clovis called upon his gods. But
the danger of defeat grew-tne Franks
were hard pressed. Then Aurelian, who
had won for Clovis his beautiful wife, |
cried: Cali on the God whom the queen |
preacheth. my lord Kingl"
Clovis lifted his face toward the sky. !
"Christ Jesus, thou whom my queen |
calleth the Son of the Living God. II thou |
wilt help, will proclaim thy name, and
be baptized" prayed this king. |
The Germans were beaten, their king |
slain. s44I-
That was grand Christmas in Rheims.
496. 1t celebrated the conversion Of tbs
Franks. The way from the palace to |
the bapistery was hung in silk and gold.
The clergy led the way with crosses aud |
standards. reading the gospels and chant
ing psalms. Then came the bishop lead !
ing the king by the hand and followed !
by the meek and beautiful queen. The |
king and royal household were baptized,
and an army of three thousand Franks.
and multitude of women and children. |
The stars beamed brightly that night
over Gaul and the Rhine. The Star of |
Bethlehem shone in its holy place. The
kingdoms of earth were becoming the
kingdoms of Christ.
In the ancient cathedral of Aix-la-
Chapelle, France, there is tomb of won
ierful historic interest. The traveller
thinks of it as he enters the solemn edi
dee, and beholds in the dim distance the
chancel oriel burning with mysterious
splendors.
Carlo -Magno." reads the inscription.
1t is the tomb of an emperor, enc of the
greatest who ever wore the crown of the
C@sars-Charlemagnel
He was King of the Franks. of the
peoples of Middle Europe and the nations
Of the North; he conquered the Saxons,
and il tremendous struggles defeated all
toes, until at last the Alps and the Bal
lie. the Rhine and the Rhone, were alike
parts of his splendid empire. He con-
Iuered the Saracens of the South; he
added crewn to crown, kingdom to king
ION, until Europe lay at his feet.
At the Easter Festival in TIA, he visit