The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-18

song, and with holy outburst sing the
praises OF st. Patrick. The suffering souls
recognize St. Patrick and the Irish rs their
best friends; ior they know that often have
the raging fires OF purgatory been cooled;
often has happiness been brought 20 that
place OF misery by the "Gol rest his soul, I"
God grant him peace" fervently uttered
by the Irish Catholic.
On from purgatory to earth speeds the
song. The echo OF heavens melody was
caught by purgatory, and with increased
sweetness has been transmitted to this
earth Of ours, where it has been taken up
by millions of the noblast men that walk
the earth. Thus in a spirit of admirable
unity the Church niumphant,t the Church
Suffering, and the Church Militant sound
the praises OF st. Patrick, and place on
Erin's brow crown OF dazzling brilliancy,
crown to which no other Nation can
aspire. England has her St. Edward,
France her st. Louis, Spain her st. Fran
els, Poland her ST. Stanislaus, Germany
her st. Boniace - these are great
saints, cherished friends OF God, but their
earthly glory is confined within national
limit. They belong to the world; and the
world gives them today its avowed rever-
ence. But with st. Patrick il is different.
Though he Is our own dear saint, yet the
world at large has claim on him and as
serts its right TO his friendship aud pro-
lection by the eloquent acclamaton OF this
18th day Of March.
In the acts OF today the Irish race stands
not alone; she is nobly seconded and fol.
lowed by the world. The world bows to
st. Patrick and places before limits treas.
ures OF gold, genius and ability. In the
midst OF this lavish expenditure what can
we, in this obscure corner OF the earth,
hope to do worthy Of the occasion2 Very
little, indeed.
Still our faith is firm, our hearts are true,
our intentions honest, aud, relying on the
assistance OF God and the goodness OF 81.
Patrick, We can reasonably hope that our
humble efforts will communicate spark
OF luster TO the blaze ol festivities en-
tightening the earth in honor OF our
sainted father; we can hope that we will
add at least our little drop to that mighty
wave OF praise and exaltation that rolls
from Americas shores across the broad
Atlantic and breaks in homage ut Erin's
feet.
Fain would ! dwell, my friends, on
every event OF ST. Patricks life; lovingly
would ! turn from page to page OF his
history, and present to you each picture
OF his career with all its varied beauty OF
form and color; but ST. Patrick is already
known 10 you. Living In this parish
dedicated 10 his honor his name is u
household word among you, and, judging
from your honest faces, | can be certain
that YOU. like myself. in years OF early
childhood, learnt the story Of 81. Pitricks
wonderful life, from the lips OF a good
Irish mother or a kind soygarth aroon.
Hence. will not tarry ON the life OF St
Patrick lie needs not our laudaiion; he
is not affected by our praises. But, today,
with pleased cOuntonance, he looks down
on his chosen people; he delights 10 see
his work steadily progressing; he exults at
beholding the Irish the grand nation that
they nre. The praises layishcd on the
children, rebound 10 the credit OF the
father; hence q word this morning in com
mendation OF the Irish nation will nj once
please and glorify our loving iather-SL
Patrick.
Wrapped in the poetic mist Of antiquity,
tingcd with tho beauty OF fable and legend.
radiant with the interest, puthos and
tragedy OF the novel. Irish history carries
us back 10 period of more than decade
OF centuries before Christ. Gancing along
those centuries, on every page OF their
history, We behold manifestations OF innate
genius, OF high aspirations and grand
nobility OF character. Even during those
days Of darkness. when the Irish people
we're wandering in the labyrinths OF
paganism, We catch cvcr-pleasing glimpscs
OF goodness Of disposition, Of brilliancy OF
talent and tendency 10 the truly great.
Whom other nations were wallowing In
the miro Of Pagan degradation. when the
stones they tfod upon, the food they con.
sumcd, the animals they spumed with their
feet, aud the passions they served, were OBJ
jccts OF religious worship, the Irish,
prompted by noble impulse, arose above
this universal degradation; aud, II they had
not the faith, at least. they cspouscd
ldolotry Ia Us best form; they raised their
eyes from earth 10 heaven, aud sent forth
their woShipiul supplications TO creations
pride, TO Gods grindcst work. the sun.
The heart Of the lrishman, whether In
ancient or modern times, tends upward.
In his composition, there is nothing low or
groyeling.
lie may. indeed, fall from his native
| dignity, he may wonder from the ways Of
strict uprightness, still, never will passion
or crime entirely siiilc the lofty impulses
Of the natural traits within him. Though
joined In vice with the Italian, the Span.
/ lard, the Frcnchman, the EnRlishman,
never will the Irishnan descend 10 the
level OF their iniquity. When vice will
have made a drcary waste of the soul OF
every other national representative, In the
soul Of the son OF ~. Patrick, there will
still lie hid the germ Of yirturc, that with
/ Ia Al
Among the nations OF tho earth the
IRISH national character stands out IN
unique prominence. Nation differs from
nation; caste from caste; people from poo.
pie. History Is but n manifestation OF ma
tional pccuiarities, national predictions,
avcbions and tcndcneicA Tho ancient
Roman stands forth in history rs the con.
/ qnefipg soldier; the Greek NJ the profound
/ philosopher, the Phcnic.an as tho daring
mariner; the Egyptian M the mister archi-
| tect; while In modern times we have
learned 70 regard England as the nation Of
grasplng injustice, France ~ the slave oI
caprice, Germany ~ the abode OF solid
learning.
Each nation has iis distinctive spirit,
and, beneath the national acts aud efforts,
can be perceived the abiding presence OF
this ruling spirit. As IN this spirit OF the
nation. 10 will bc ils internal management
aud its iorcign enterprises. II this spirit
bo founded on truth, the nation will live
despite the malice OF men and the
rage Of hell. Antiquity IL heap Of sor.
rowiul ruins, because the national spirit oI
antiquity was not the spirit OF truth. King.
have been thrown IRON their gilded
thrones. dynaslics have fallen with crosh
revolutions have shaken the world 10 N,