Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1895-03-16
ADJUSTMENTS.
PHILApELPHIA THEATREs.



To- morrow Is st. Patricks Day, his
festival Of commemoration. and It Is
well for Christians Of all denominations,
as well as al lovers Of civilization, TO
consider what ne die FOR the Christian
church, and for the advancement Of
government.
He was born Of Christian parents In
Britain. under the Roman rule, in the
year 3s7. His father was deacon Of the
church, and held under the state the
Office Of Roman magistrate, When he
was re years old he was taken
prisoner. and sold to Milcho, petty
chief Of Ireland, who put him to herding
and keeping his cattle
Under the hardshlps OF his slave life
his thoughts turned to God and he was
converted. He became very devout, and
found much comfort in prayer, for be
tells us he said one hundred prayers by
day and nearly as many by night, and
that God was everything to him. that in
the storm and cold He warmed him
he remained a slave for six years,
when he had dream that told him Of
vessel on the sea-coast waiting to take
him home to his parents He made his
escape and vent to the sea coast found
the vessel, was 6rst refused passage, but
was finally taken. He returned to his
parents. but soon left them to study as a
monk az Tours.
He then went to Rome and Pope
Ceiestlne blessed him, changed his name
from Succst to Patricius. aud sent him
as a missionary to Ireland II must have
cost him much self-sscrifce to return to
the land Of his captivity for he tells us
that he had many rewards offered him II
he would not GO and that he left his
parents and friends with tears aud
weepings.
He began % preach to the chiefs Of the
clans, some OF whom received him kindly,
but others tried TO kill him. He had ali
his goods taken from him, was bound
with letters and beaten, but be tells us,
''My time had not yet come The Lord
delivered me and restored my goods
His mission was eminently successful he
founded hundreds Of churches and
schools, baptized thousands Of people
and ordained many priests He also
improved the condition Of clanship, was
energetic in the suppression Of slavery
(Which was terrible curse to the people
at that time), and elevated the people to
high standard Of civilization.
He established his see at Armagh and
he and his disciples that followed him
founded the famous monastery Of Iona
on a barren island oil the coast Of Scot
land.
st. Patrick had not bsen dead one. half
Of century when Irish missionaries
threw themselves with Gerry zssl against
the mass Of heathenism that was then
rolling in on the Christian world 1t was
the Irish missionary converted through
st. Patriek's labor that went with relig.
ion, culture and learning to Englsuda
rescue after the Saxon pagan had de-
stroyed all it's Christian civilization
Irish missionaries founded monasterles In
Burgundy and the Apprentices aud
labored among the Picts OF the High.
lands and the Frsans Of the Northern
seas.
AT one time 1t looked as If the course
Of the worlds history was to be changed,
and that Celtic, not Latin, Christianity
would rule the destinies Of the Church In
the West. Ireland became famous aud
influential all over Europe for its learning
and piety. When We think OF the rude
savage country as It was when St. Pat
rick began bis mission there, then look
at the change, less than city years after
his death in It's civilization aud the
influence IL exerted on that Of other
nations we can only conclude that he
was a man created for that work.
He says he sold himself for the sd
vantage Of this nation" we say he gave
himself and won nation, for the Irish
people everywhere hold his name in
reverence His relics at Down were
held ia sacred veneratIon till the time
of the reformation, when everything re
lating to monas.e orders was sacrificed te
the devastating anger Of Henry VIII
Bet the good be had accomplished fol
church END state WAS destined to live
and we think OF him to-osy as one o.
the wonders Of our civilization
There is general boom in sight now