The Washington times., 1903-03-17
WRITINGS FROM PEN
OF SAINT PATRICK
Literature Which Contains Authentic Record OF
the Apostle Lie.

mere Celtic exaggeration. He remained
six years In slavery in Ireland. his daily
occupation being 10 herd swine. While
so occupied the love OF God kindled in
mis- heart and he became a religious en-
thusiast. undergoing extreme fasting and
penance.
Repeated Dreams
Ono night, in a dream, a voice came
TO him. saying: Thy fasting is we'll;
thou shalt soon return to thy couatry."
Later on the dream was repeated. the
same voice assuring him that the ship
was now ready. 200 miles away. The
saint soon after managed 70 escape and
fed to a port. where he found a vessel
manned by Pagans about to sail, and
after much difficulty. persuaded them IN
take him on board. After voyage of
three days they reached land, probably
in Gaul, where for twenty-eight days
he wandered through desert. After
ward we find him al home with his peo-
pie in Britannis q. G.. in the Roman
province OF Brittany, and his parents
and friends beseeching him. be says.
not to expose himself TO fresh dan
gers. but TO. remain with them hence
forth" But an angel came IN the gulse
of a man from ireland. and showed him
letter which called upon him 70 leave
his native land and kindred and go 10
Ireland to preach the Gospel. a com
mand which he Immediately obeysd.
Unfortunately, he tells us nothing OF his
training, or his ordination, or his So
tourn in Gaul. or OF ST. German. with
whom he studied. according TO Fiace's
hymn
OF the location of Bannauen Taber-
MAE. or OF Nemthur. the alternative
name Of the saints birthplace given in
the Hymn OF Fiacc. we are in ccnsid-
cradle doubt. Many places have con-
tended for the honor. but authorities
are now fairly well agreed that It was
at Old Fitzpatrick, near Dumbarton.
Scotland.
Second Latin Piece.
The second Latin piece assigned to the
saint are the -Epistles to Coroticus-"
These have been preserved for US in
manuscripts Of the tenth or eleventh
century. In style and language they
closely resemble the Confession.
WHQlr puFASeS DNlBR ACTUALLY ANNANAN1A ~
both. Coroticus, a semi-Christian King
OF Dumbarton (Ail Cla''dej- along with
some Scots. I. e.. Irish. and Southern
Picts who had fallen away from Chris
tianity. raided the eastern shores OF Ire
land and carried of several OF St. Pat
rick's converts. leaving the white gar
ments OF the neophytes stained with
blood, and hurrying into captivity num-
bers upon whose foreheads the holy oil
OF confirmation was still glistening-"
The FIRST letter asked Coroticus to re-
store the eaptives. and when this request
was refused. the second was sent. ex-
communicating the King and all his aid
ers and abettors. calling upon all Chris
;ians neither TO eat nor drink in their
company until they had made expiation
Tor their great crimes.
ST Patrick's beautiful hymn. the
beers Cry" is OF special interest as
being the oldest composition extant in
the Gaelic language. 1t is written in
very ancient dialect. and was composed
as the hymn itself shows, when Ireland
was largely pagan. In the Liber Hymn
norum, a manuscript OF the eleventh
century. in which IL is preserved Il is
Gaelic. The saint Is there said to have
made It when on his way TO visit King
Laoghaire lLearyB at Temair (Tara) and
he assassins who had been set in am
bush TO slay him and his companions
nistook the chanting OF the ''lorica'' for
he crying OF passing deer. and so al
owed them 10 escape.
Ireland Unsubmissive.
notwithstanding the glowing account
ne saint gives us OF the progress Of
Ills labors and the multitude OF his con-
erts. IL is certain that the whole OF
roland did not submit to Patrick's In
luence. as he admits in his Comics
ion that he looked daily for a violent
cath OF to be brought back TO slavery
rediGi in seruitutem). and there is
ONE evidence that a partial apostasy
1ok place during the two centuries fol-
)2-ing his death.