The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1885-03-28
ST. PATRICK.
Brief Sketch of the Life mud Ia.
bOrs OF Ireisnd's Patron
saint.
ITuscsrora New Times.Rsviaw. ]

1t. Patrck's Day is held sacred BY tn
wandering children Of the Gael the worl,
over, IN commemoration of the reclama
tlon of the Irish race to Christianity
And yet there seems to be considerabl,
mystery in connection with his birth ant
nativity, and great many things writ
ten concerning his miraculous transac
tlons, the authenticity of which is oues
tionable. According to the annals of the
-Four Masters, a work of great merit
and accuracy in historical chronology. il
appears that in A. d. 800, King Dathy
ONeill, descendant of Nal of the Nine
Hostages, and the last Pagan ruler OF
Ireland, organized an expedition of 4,O0C
men to assist in expelling the Roman in.
vaders from Scotland. The Scots routed
the Roman legions, and followed them to
the foot of the Alps, where King O'Neill
was killed BY a sunbolt, hence the sun.
burst on the Irish flag. The victorious
Scots passed through Armorica, in Gaul.
on their way home, taking several of the
komans prisoners, and among the num-
Der was Patricius and his sister. Patri.
Gus, or Patrick means nobleman, his
father being member of the Noxus Tor.
quaetus, or Knights of the Golden Chain,
the highest order of Roman nobility. On
the return of the expedition to Ireland.
Patrick was sold in slavery to an Irish
Prince in the province of Ulster, who sent
him herding swine, and it was whilst en-
gagged in that occupation he conceived
the idea of converting the Irish race to
Christianity. The Irish at that time
We're Druids, who worshipped seven gods.
Ihe gods of Druidic mythology were the
Sun, Moon, Mars, Venus, Juno, Jupiter
and Saturn. Patrick commenced study.
ing the religious system, habits and man.
ners OF the people, and being naturally
bright and well-behaved, he became a
great favorite, and was granted mapv
privileges by his master. Having mas.
tered the Irish language, he succeeded
In gaining the good will of the people.
lie formed the acquaintance of famous
Irish sailor of the time, who became yerv
much attached to him. He told the
sailor that he would like to see his
parents, whereupon the sailor took com.
passion on him and assisted him in max.
ing his escape. On his arrival in France
he was sent to Rome to be educated for
the priesthood at his own special request,
lie graduated with high honors, and was
shortly afterward appointed Bishop of
ireland. On his return to ireland he
met with such storm of opposition
from the Druidic priests and scholars.
VINO denounced him as an impostor, and
refused to believe his strange and un.
reasonable doctrine. So bitter was the
leeling against him that he was arrested
and taken prisoner and brought before
the National Assembly, then in session
ut Tara. The assembled wisdom of the
Irish nation gave him hearing. and
litter three days of powerful debate he |
in convincing the learned |
priests and Isages of the errors of Druidic
mythology. But he had great difficulty |
n explaining the mystery of the Trinity. |
Being keen logician he finally mastered |
'he difficulty by procuring shamrock,
'y which he illustrated the mystery of |
he Trinity by showing three equal and |
Instinct leaves on one stem; hence the
hamrock on the Irish standard. The
Jews OF his success at Tara spread all
'ver the country, and in the brief period
II one year the whole nation embraced
He built the Cathedral of
armagh, and founded several schools and
olleges and wrote some important re.
lgious works. Ireland became famous
IS seat OF learning in the 4th, 5th and
IN centuries. England, Scotland, Wales
nd aportion of Germany were Christian
led and civilized by Irish missionaries.
1t. Patrick is described as a man of great
earning and piety. His life and labor
nd the hardships which he endured in
ne cause of Christianity are worthy Of
and should command the re.
pect and admiration Of intelligent Irish
men OF all denominations.