The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-15

nonular belief that he was an lrlshinah'
t,,f c,.la historical truth compels IL. Ac-
or,inu 10 the established laws Oh tH"'
nav ,I,ug fatIick should nave beeh ohc
of Irelanus bIllcr enemies, lO4 Ho ""'
early IA lie captured 10y the Sco's' WIZ
ruled. ireland, ana was laheh IO'''
France. his native place, 10 the u4oSi
Isle where he was Tor many years I"
slave in Ireland. . ne
N. iatIick was born an arlstocI"'' ms
father Lalpnumius, was, IL Is 'noueN NJ .
prominen, member OF the upper - US' "a
hotnan society. His mother, CohcHeasa'
- near,v related 10 St. Martin oil
Tours. 49, IL.
patr!ck the boy first came into ms
tortcal prominence in Gaui, one OF the
Roman provinces. But the glory OF hoin1
was facing and dark days were closihs
in on the great empire. IL was Only -"
beathen empire. The Emperor Constan-
tine had IL is true, seen the error oil MS
pagan ways ana had thrown the ldois out
OF the temples, and AFTER MN came
Theodosius. who ruled as The hrst OAllS-
tian emperor. 49,,
But Rome gave up heathenism too late
10 ESCAPE the wrath Of Providence, ana
her legions were driven back IN all direc-
tions until they were glad 10 intsehch
themselves in the city OF Rome.
Al efforts TO rally the lcgions proving
vain, the armies lad been cOmpeieu
gradually 10 concentrate in smaller ana
smaller compass. abandoning province
after province, until at last the gradual
ly lessening circle had become very sinaH
and the barbarian armies were thunder
ing at tho very gates OF Rome.
LOVED HIS HOME.
This meant, of course, That all the out
h. "a
and among them the province in which
young Patricks parents had made their
home. Many OF the coionists had follow
cd tho retreating logiOns OF Rome, as
people now gather in Havana But Pa
tricks parents chung 10 the homestead,
and when the fierce Irish came upon them
like an avalanche the little family sue
cumbod. Young Patrick. with his sisters,
was gathered in and sold Into slavery
and his parents were killed.
SO Patrick began his career as a broken
hearted boy. lie was carried to Ireland,
where FOR six years he was slave TO a
chief named Milcho. of Antrim. who en-
ployed him chiefly In tending sheep.
And here begins the miraculous part
OF his career. At night. II is said. he
received many visits from angels ana
planned the great work that he after
wards carried out SO successfully.
At the end OF six years young Patrick
made his escape, and reaching the coast,
a seaport town called Bcnum-a name
that SIN suTviyes-he managed 10 get
aboard ship. whose captain it IS
thought was induced by divine power TO
take the boy aboard. After a slow jour
ney. for which the queer travelling facili-
ties OF the dine were chiefly to blame.
Patrick at last found himself back At
his old abode with his relative St Mar
LIN al Narmontrcl. The spot where he
crossed tho river Loire is stin marked
with a sign and is held in great reyer-
ence by the people OF the vicinity.
For thirty years after this young Pat
rick studied and worked. preached. made
piigrimaees and fitted himself for the
great work he had mapped ont for him
self, the conversion Of id0latr0us Ireland
for Ireland then worshippct idols. lie
always kept this steadfastly IN view. AZ
the end Of this time st. Patrick was
made q bishop. The Pope's name was
Celestine. And he sent Patrick on the
mission so dear 10 him. mission from
the Pope 10 take Christianity 10 the peo-
pie OF Ireland.
g. ralladius had preceded him, but
had failed 10 rake any impression. and
hac retired without leaving single con-
vert
on THE GREEN swARD.
81. Patrick landed In Ireland in the
year 412.
Ireland al tina, time was peopled by !
a fierce and fiery race OF sun and idol /
whose priests were the (,
Druids. They had. strange to say. code ,
Of morals Of their own. and they treated |
-smen with the greatest consideration !