Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-03-24
81. Patrick.

A new translation CT ST. Patricks "Con.
fesssion" has just beer completed by the
Irish scholars, Drs Stokes and Wright, of
Trinity College, Dublin. The Confession"
is acknowledged by historians to be the
work of St. Patrick's own pen, and copy
from the original is in the Book Of Ar.
msgh," ore Of the treasures of Trinity Col
lege. The Rev. DR.. John Hall speaks of
the new translation in the Christian Observer
as follows
1.-THE majority of the critics make his
birthplace Fitzpatrick, near Dumbarton. On
the Clyde, Scotland so the widely scatter
ed Scotch Irish have double interest 10 the
man. His birth was about the year 395 and
the beginning of his work was about 440.
He lived to be an old mep, but the date of
his death is uncertain. He was carried
away captive, according 10 the Confession"
at the age of sixteen He was sold to an
Irish oheitan called Milcho. There be
cared for cattls Tor Elk years, his early reli
gious teaching bearing fruit, until after six
years, directed. he believed, from above, he
made bis escape. After many perils, and
eight or nine weeks again passed in The hands
Of captors he reached his friends. Nothing is
known Of him from the Confession, nor from
any credible authority, till he began his mis-
sion The style OF bis quotation shows that he
did not know the Latin Vulgate, but that
he did know an edition of Scripture, from
which he makes frequent quotations, often,
IL would seem, from memory. Heis not the
cnly Scotchmen with this habit His efforts
in Ireland were mainly directed to the heads
Of clans, knowing, doubtless, that this was
the best way 10 reach the people. he had
many difficulties, but the success was mark
ed according to tho standard CT the time,
when many accepted Christianity as whole
yet retained, in degree, their old manners
and customs. and did pot attain to very def
mite doctrinal knowledge. To the right un.
derstanding of many of the statements of
historians Of this remote period, it is need,
full to remember that the Irish were then
called Scots and that in the years a. D.
343-369 they ravaged and ruled for ten years
q par, of the present Great Britain a care
ful reading of the Confession, with its ac-
count of his experience, decision to work
for Ireland, personal efforts, shows that he
had no commission from the Bishop of
Rome. That be should have it aud hold his
peace shout it is Incredible. The worship
of the Virgin Mary, of saints, of images, has
no place in his writings. Confession to
him and absolution are never alluded
to. He does speaks again and again,
of bis baptising, but nothing Of such
sacraments' ca extreme uDction. His one
authority for his teaching is the Word of
God. Purgatory, transsubstantiation and
Papal authority are never alluded to. On the
other hand the spirit of his teaching, bis
sense of personal lowiness, and OF depen.
dence on the grace of God, are very like the
experiences recorded by David Brainera
and Henry Martyr. isgreat man was not a
Protestant only because the church had
not then become (though there were germs
of evil in some places whst savonarola,,
WicGliffs, Luther ard their associates found
it. Here is the opening sentence Of Patrick 8
confession L, Patrick, sinner, the rudest
ana the least of all the faithful, and most
conteuptiblet 10 very many, had for my father
Calpurnius, deacon, son of Potitus.
Presbyter, who dwelt in the village OF
Bannavem Tabernacle; for he had small
farm hard by the place where I was taken
captive"