The semi-weekly miner., 1885-03-21
ST. PATRICK.

The celebration of the anniversary
pf tho birth Of st. Patrick, In this
city day before yesterday. has given
rise among several Of the younger
members Of Butte society to . dis
cussion concerning the birth. natfv-
ity and works Of st. Patrick, COM
known ~ the Apostle Of l'e-
land. 1t IL known that st. Patrick
was . distinguished missionary OF
the 9th century, bat according to
Du Puy and several other learned
writer's, there is some uncertainty as
to the date and place Of his birth.
The year Of his birth Is vartously
assigned to the years 377 and ss7. Of
the place at which he was born Il Is
only known for certain from his own
confession, that his father:had . asmail
farm near BJnavom TAbernt@; AND
in one Of the ancient lives he 10 SAID
to have been born at Nemthur.
Arguing on these data, connected
with other collateral indications,
some writer's assign his birthplace to
the present Boulogne-sur-Mer; Others
to . place In the estuary OF the Clyde
(called from hls Kilpstrick.(! at or
near the modern Dumbarton. His
father, ~ he himself tells, was .
deacon named Calpurnias; his
mother, according to the ancient bl'
ographers, was named Conches, or
Conchessa, who, some Of the author
tiles assert, was = si1ter Of 1T. Martin
of Tours. Patrick's original name is
said to haze been Suocat, PAtricus
being the Roman appellatton by
which he was known.
In his 10th year he was seized,
while at his fathers farm. by . band
of pirates, and with q number Of
others was carried to Ireland. and
sold to & petty chief, in whose ser
vice he remained for six years. after
which he succeeded in efecting his
escape, and Afterwards went to
France, where he became q monk.
flrst at Tours, and afterwards in the
celebrated monastery Of Terens. In
the year 4Sl he went to Rome, whence
he was sent by Pope Celestine to
preach In ireland.
Such IL the received account of his
mission, but DR.. Todd, his latest bi-
ographer, regards this statement as
and fixes the date of his
coming to Ireland eight years later.
He was ordained in France, and ar
rived in Ireland In 4S2. His mission
was emirently successful. He adopt
cd the expedient Of addressing him
self first to the chiefs, and Of improv-
ing. as far as possible. the spirit Of
and other existing usages
of the Irish for the furtherance of
his preaching. It cannot be doubted
that he had much success In Christ
ianising the ancient Irish system of
belief and practice. By degrees he
visited a large portion Of the king
dom. and baptized great numbers
chieftains and the people.
According to the accounts of his
Irish biographes, he founded s65
and baptized with his own
hands 1900 persons. It Is also said
he ordained q vast number Of priests
and to have blessed very many
monks and nuns. After he had been
in his missionary enterprise,
be is said to have fixed his see at
about the year 454, and hav-.
Ing procured two Of his disciples to
be ordained bishops, he held probably
more than one synod, the DEGREES of
which have been q subject of much
controversy. He died at q place
called Saul, near Downpatrick, and
his relics were preserved at the latter
place down to the period of the
Reformation. The place is still
by the people. The date
If his death is much disputed, the
Bollandists placing it in 400, while
Usher holds 1t to have been In 493.
All agree, however they may differ
IN regard to the date Of his birth and !
leath, that st. Patrick was i self |
devoted man, an earnest |
md successful worker in the cause of |
christianity and greatly beloved by !
The people. The Irish people, and
indeed every true Catholic and every |
over of good works have reason to |
Keep his memory fresh and green.
Aud although learned men may not |
lgree as to the precise date Of his |
birth the essential fact to be observed
s that he was man worthy of the
love and veneralion Of all who revere
he great and good. Hence the pre-
,ise day Of the month upon which
people meet to honor his name is not |
70 important as that some day should
be observed for that purpose. The
18th of March is As good q day as any
other for this purpose.
The Supreme Court OF iowa sus-
tains every provision Of the liquor
prohibition law of that State. Still
The average Iowan will take his reg.
alar bug juice just as they do down
In Kansas.