The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1884-04-10
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O,GATH ON ST. PATRICK.
Correspondence Of the Sentinel

Correspondence Of the sentinel.]
"St. Patrick's Day" is familiar
to hundreds who are totally igno-
rant of the fact that there ever
was such a man as st. Patrick
They know that March 18th is
observed, mere especially by the
Irish portion of community, as a
holiday, but why, they have new
er taken the trouble to find out.
This is not remarkable when
we consider that in this progress
sive age the minds of the people
are so taken up with the happen
ings of the day that they lose in
a great part those finer sensibili-
ties that are fostered & strength
ened by veneration of holy
things. Not that it is wise or
expedient TO be all the time
hunting mp something new, or
old either, to worship, but that
events travelling the long portage
of centuries, are worthy more
than passing thought, and the
most thorough research.
Year after yenr there has been
a tendency to drift away from
the customs and observances so
acceptable to the people years
ago. The majority involved no
thing but what was beautiful and
the people were in consequence
more susceptible to the sablimi
ties of character than the defects
that distorted the past, that
plague the present and must be
conceived and born of the future.
More and more in this age is the
plebean hand urged to practice
the subtleties Of its trade, regard
less of the inherited right of all
men to rejoice once year, at
least for Christ's sake.
Slowly but surely the shadow
has spread over the social walks
of life, antil it would seem that
even Christmas must soon be
numbered among the neglected
relics of antiquity.
1t would be folly 10 hint at
such a thing, were it aot true
that each year more hammers
are added to busy throngs that
beat the gong of labor regardless
of such days, and were it not true
that there is scarcely pause in
the commercial marts even on
Sunday. st. Patrick's Day is
worthy of our acquaintance be-
cause it takes back TO that period
when Ireland was converted to
Christianity, and the Church Mil
liant achieved one of the grand
est victories in its history.
St. Patrick was born at Bou-
logna-sur- Mer, in France, towards
the close of the fourth century
and about the year 3S7. There is
a difference of opinion as to his
birth place and date of birth, but
according to the best authority ]
have been able to find, it is as
stated above. In his Confession
he speaks Of his paternity in this
manner: my father was Calpur-
MUS, a deacon, son of Politus a
priest of the town Of Bouavan
Taberniae.'
When but Is years OIL, he was
was carried out Of Armorica as
prisoner of Nal, monarch of Ire
land. During his six years OF
captivity he was employed tend
ling his masters flocks. He was
constantly exposed to- all kinds
of weather, but tells that he was
faithful to God and among his
daily petitions always went up
one for freedom.
In his Confession, he says prior
to the time of his escape, that
while he slept a voice spoke ia
HIM. ''B hold thy ships ready
Soon after this he fed to point
200 miles away where he fled
for Gaul, which place he reached
in the year 400. Shortly after his
return home he entered a monas-
terry, where he remained 4 years.
At the end of this period he was Sec
, ond time carried off by a band OF marau-
ders, but at the end of two mon tbs escaped
From this time forward to his conservation
IS Bishop, the history of this remarkable
man is very interesting. 1t is asserted that
he received Episcopal conservation at the
hands of the Pope, 1T. GermaEuS. How
ever, all agree In assigning the CO nsecra-
ton to the year i32.
sent to preach the religion of Christ in
Ireland. He dying in January, 49,, st. Pat
rick was chosen to take charge of the mis-
sion, and despite much opposition on the
part OF his friends, set sail the same year
for Ireland.
The years spent among this people as a
= captive well fitted him to come among
them rs teacher. He WAS master of their
language and character, and hence 1t is not
surprising that we find him sweeping
away the barriers that deiied the Legions
the edicts of God before the Court of Tara.
When on the memorable day he ascended
the hill of Tara, he addressed the assem-
bled chieftains' telling g;a them of the t true y.
Man, and the great Redemption.
The question of Trinity was illustrated
by a beautiful Shamrock which he plucked
from the turf, the three leaves being uEod
| to demonstrate the question that above all
+ others was the hardest for these men to
understand. 1t is supposed that from thit
circumstance the shamrock was adopted as
the national emblem. 1t would be impOs-
> sible In an article of this kind to speak al
: length of the works of this illuStrio us man
} He founded hundreds of churches through
the land, and it rs said baptized over II QUO
converts with his own hands.
st. Patrick Is described as a man q little
. below the medium height, mild III manner
and evenly tempered, yet of noble presence
and striking dignity. When he arose tc
address those restless throngs, schooled in
6 the doctrines of Druidism, Paganism, and
superstiti on, oven his bitterest prosecutor.
could not but respect the man who spoke
80 fearlessly and SO int diligently of the liv'
;,,.y God i'm, VI h0 had enliSf fed