The Irish standard., 1899-12-16
Great Changes in the Green Isle
in Fourteen Years.
IS DESTITUTE OF MANUFACTURES
School Attendance Greater Than
in Massachusetts.

ireland Revisited" was the subject
OF an address delivered by Rev. Peter
C. Yorke, at St. Peters church, San
Francisco, on Sunday, Dec. g. He said
in part:
I hardly think it necessary to enlarge
upon an idea which is naturally in the
heart OF every person who has the op-
portunty to return after years OF abb
scnce to the land OF his birth. 1t is
feeling OF the greatest pleasure and one
characteristic OF every living thing.
There exists in all human hearts the
desire to go back to the scenes Of boy
hood days. We keep in our souls the
memory OF those old days, and we
treasure the picture OF them. We love
the things i'll the land of our birth. We
love to dwell on them, and nothing can
be Of greater pleasure to Us than the
chance to revisit them
That love we cultivate as the holiest
among men. Therefore it is not strange
that when opportunity offers we should
delight to so back IT, sec the old faces,
to roll away all the cares and to be
again with the days OF our youth. Per-
haps these scenes may not always be
the same, and it is possible that we may
find ourselves with feelings OF dissatis-
faction. But it is also possible and
probable that the same old colors will
be lightcned. At any rate, when We
come back from them we retain pic
turc Of interest and picturesqucncss and
the happy recollection OF the place
where we first saw Heavens light.
My desire is to make you see ireland
as l saw it-not all OF ireland, but such
features OF it as might strike the OBJ
servant traveller. Ireland is subject
that is constantly being discussed and
needs to be constantly defended.
Let me first say that there have been
great changes in ireland. You probably
know nothing OF these, but the Eng'i,l,
press seldom tells anything about Ire
land except when somebody shoots
somebody else. But have only recent
ly seen it, and to me, after an absence
OF fourteen years, found the picture
wonderful and inspiring. 1t is still the
same dear land OF legend and romance
"a land that has suffered all manner
Of tribulations, and is still advancing
beneath the heavy burden.
Ireland is land which has solved
great problems, and before which are
great problems still to be solved. Even
at this moment she is bone OF con-
tention. Those OF her enemies who arc
forced to say that she has suffered say
that it has not been the conqucror, but
the oppressed themselves who are ac-
countable for her condition. But it was
ever the practice OF those who injurc
one to slander the person whom they
have injured. Let us, however, rcmcm-
Der that God is just. He may appear
for time to be on the side OF the
mighticst force, but in the end he will
be found on the side of those who arc
in the right. Ellis mills grind slowly,
but they grind exceeding fine"
Father Yorkc next gave an interest
ing description Of his voyage across the
continent and then OF his voyage from
New York to Queenstown. Continu-
ing, he said:
l shall never forget the first sight OF
ireland from a steamer. We saw the
great green hills rise out OF the ocean
and knew that we had arrived at the
land that is ever ancient, ever new.
We were under new sky-the sky that
laughs and cries. Almost before we
knew it we were in the harbor. The little
tender came alongside as we hung over
the rails and gazcd longingly at the
shore. I couldn't help thinking what
came into the minds OF those who had
returned with me-thosc who saw the
familiar old hills growing larger, the
houses becoming more distinct, and
finally the faces OF their friends on the
wharf. 1t is then that one thinks of
the poets lines:
Lives there man with soul so dead
Who never to himself has said,
and then, under native skies and among
Our people, we feel the full strength of
his concluding line: