The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1891-03-19
st. Patrick's DAY.
TO the Editor of The Times

TO the Editor of The Times:
No doubt you will confer u favor upon one OF
your subscribers here ut Coils by publishing ii,
your esteemed paper this short report of the
celebration Of the feast of St. Patrick here on
the 18th inst, which was held with great dis.
play.
High mass was celebrated in the forenoon a I
1890 by the Bcv. j. Weysters, pastor Of Coils
and Parncll churches. on which occasion the
Rev. Thomas l.. Rabsteinek of St. Adalberts'
church, Wahpeton, North Dakota, delivered IL
very eloquent lecture in the afternoon of the
Patron saint in the church ut Coils. 1t was
Indeed great treat the speaker gave the large
and attentive congregation, AS he tOuchinsly
referred to the principal features of the life of
the great Ireland saint, which IN part was IL,
follows:
Before proceeding he compllmcntcr the Assem-.
blagc, saying, he was very glad, to appear in
this church and speak to the people of Coils
II was especially on this festive occasion com
mcmorlting the national feast of one of the
greatest saints, forever to be vcmcrated by {:
nation, whose history has been so parallel with
the history of II sister land, beautiful Bohemia
Not being a son of Erin, never the less Ii,
wished to celebrate the feast of St. Patrick
Bohemia and Ireland have Il gccat history
They number many great men, passed through
many suierin.-thcy tell vivldly the stories
of their thraldom. They have set before them
an important mission. They continue in tho
spirit of thcire fOrcllthcrs. The memory o
those different illustrious names is too swcet
and upon the pillars Of nations are inscribed the
~ ,,c
riorS and saints. Such is an human instinct to
perpetuate the memory Of their lives. We
cling to them with gratitude, long after thcil
labors arc finished and hearts grown cold Bu,
still the fashion of the world passcth. When
tins motive of memory is placed under tho
influence of religion 1t is different. We realize
their beauty and depth OF the cherish ell names
1t Is the implanted and possessed by the SOUL
made in the heart Of hearts impcrlshable
Many molly and Just saint has been taken pos.
session of by the church of Cod He has been
Identified with her sacred history and made
great never to be forgotten. Different saint.
had different missions, they are set apart. Tho
saint whose feast we celebrate was destined by
the Divine Providence to lead Il people, living
on green IsIand-people OF Erin-to be lead
out of the house of bondage. Such was Saint
Patrick's mission. This name will be forever OH
the lips Of men and sweetest music to the Irish
car. What would be Il man without faith +? A
rational being! Will, reason, intellect! What
!; warfare with the animal man? Wha: would
be the object of our living, here in thi>
world? With the magic word 81 believc'-
what Il different sight! The light was made
st. Patrick gave the people faith he implanted
this gem which was nOuriShed subSequ entity by
the holy church. You know his biography con.
ncctea with so many proIidcntiaI incident S
What Il blessing he was and for what IA grand
object he was destined and all this was accom-.
plishcd. The shcavcS Of successive hlrvcsts are
gathered; the mustard seed is growing Sain,
Patrlck's influence, Ircland's saints, was ielt
everywhere: their labors were not confined tC
those memorable shores. We find the fruits of
the sweat of his brow and brain everywhere
Let us use them; prove yourselves worthy sons
and daughters of those great and illuslrious
names, no matter what nationality you are
Your green ribbons-tllc love-should rather be
scarlet an emblem Of suffering and martyrdOm
Practicins your faith living up to those models
of virtue and good life yon will have an i'm
perisllablc memory. The rust of ages eats
through the life and ii is blotted out The his.
tory Of your noble lie might be written il
golden letters, but Of no avail. y good, holy
just man will never be forgotten.