Sistersville daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1902-1905, 1903-03-20

until / was taken to Ireland. ] did
not know. the true Cod" Far from
home and alone he had time to
dwell upon the truths taught him
by father and grandfather, both OF
whom were Cody men. He says,
"The Lord gave me knowledge
of my unbelief, and I prayed by
day and I prayed by night and I
found Him and He saved me from
all my Iniquities. A few years
after his feeling the goodness of
God, he determined to use the rest
of his HE to doing missionary
work. He at once thought of Ire
land, the land of his captivity; he
knew the people, their language
and their needs. He wanted to
save Ireland, but said at first, that
h. was not worthy. But Ia
a dream he heard these
words, 1--WE entreat you, holy
youth. to come to the needs of Ire.
land" This was much the same as
Paurs call to come over Into Mac
odonia and help u.s." He decided
to go, and his parents and friends
objected. saying, don't 60 back to
Ireland to face all those dangers,
and that war like people again, but
! In answer to Gods call he went to
those Heberian people In the year
3oo. Some say he went to Rome
to prepare for this missionary
work, but this Is not known to be
true. He says, II left country,
parents and friends, God directed
me, and went to Ireland, to Pa
gans, to preach the gospel"
Among these cruel war like peo-
pie 800, 900 strong, many dangers
and difficulties presented them.
selves. 1t was ruled by kings,
petite kings and chiefs and over
all the whole island was monarch.
This field was not very inviting,
but Patrick displayed great power
and tact and from the first was
great success. He would beat
drum, much like the salvation army
of today, u:tll crowd gathered,
then he would tell them the simple
story Of the cross, and of the trinity,
when asked to explain the trinity,
he picked up a common three leaf
clover, and In this simple way
taught "The threeness In oneness"
as his own language gives 1t. He
forced an audience with the king
and royalty and first converted and
baptis6ed the kings poet. This
opened up the most wonderful
period In Irelands' religious his
tory. He founded seven hundred
churches and ordained seven hun
dred bishops as high as twelve
thousands persons In one day. lie
did wonderful work for Ireland.
He established schools opened up
monasteries and taught the young
men the Bible. Patrick loved the
Bible, Its commands were his laws.
Mach OF his language was taken
from the Bible. Patrick believed
In faith; he taught the conversion
ard forgiveness of sin by faith. He
felt sorrow for the sinful and tried
to lead these pagan people out of
sin. His teaching was much like
Pauls. His baptism was by con-
version as taught In the New Tes
lament. He baptized only those
who believed. He had great belief
In the future and said. Thanks be
to God for all baptized believers,
they 60 where there Is no more
night or death, but reign with the
apostles and rulers and with God.
The date of his death Is disputed,
but was probably In 423 on March
18TH. He was a mighty man of
God and followed In the footsteps
of the apps stiles. The Roman Cath
olics claim St. Patrick, but he was
no Roman. He was to Ireland
what Garry was to India and what
Paul was to Asia Minor. 1t Is an
honor for any church or country to
claim him, this giant of truth
Through his life aud labor he gave
Ireland mighty start In religion.
He turned three hundred thousand
souls from pagan to christian belief.
If we can learn of him now, or pay
respect to his memory, let us do so.
He has long ago gone to rest, as
one of Gods most faithful servants,
AM to him God has long ago said,
well done thou good and faithful
servant"