The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-17
DAY
Celebration in Topeka Is Linn
tied to One Church.
Patron of Ireland Is Generally
HOnored However.
WEARING OF GREEN.
Ribbons and ShamrOcks Are in
Every ButtOnh0le.
Father Hayden breaches Short
Sermon on Life of Saint.

Erin go Braughl Rah for the Irish!
and similar exultant CALCULATIONS.
| This is ST. Patricks Day and the
wearing of the green is having it's in
nings. Practically every descendant of
"Ould Ireland" in Topeka and many
friendly sympathizers as well have paid
tribute to the patron saint of the En-
erald Isle today by displaying either a
shamrock. a bow of green ribbon, or a
green flower. Green has been the dom
inant and prevailing color scheme
throughout the city today and the men1-
ory of the good old saint has been cell
ebrated and literally kept green by To-
cal citizens.
ribbons and small Irish flags worn by
individuals, a number of the show win
dows in the big stores along the ave-
nue. were dressed with green back
grounds displaying green colored ia
brics and articles; many of the ladies
promenaded the avenue wearing their
biggest hats decorated with green
plumes and ribbons; the florists win
dows displayed green colored flowers,
and practically all the restaurants in
the city gave recognition to the day
by serving Irish stew.
Among the natives of Ireland and
their descendants no human being has
been greatly reverenced as st. Pat
rick, who is given credit for introduce
ing Christianity into Ireland. abolish
ing the early system of slavery and
performing many other remarkable and
arduous labors in the interests of his
people. In the popular mind St Pat
rick is probably known principally for
the legends that have been handed down
through the ages concerning the saint
and his work.
Chief among the mythical stories is
the legend of his banishing all the
snakes out of Ireland. According to
= I,
summit of the croagh, or hill of Pat
rick in the County Of Mayo, on the
west coast of the isle, to pray. 1t was
there. so the story runs, that he re-
ceived the inspiration to rid the island
of snakes and from the hill he proceed
ed toward the sea, driving all the rep
tiles before him in a great drove The
saints power over the creeping things
was so wonderful that all the snakes
from all parts of the island crept
hlindly toward the ocean to escape the
good mans fury and were swallowed up
in the merciless waters OF the sea-
Since that time, which is believed to
be about 400 years after the birth of
Christ, no reptiles have been seen in
all the length and breadth of Ireland.
Some few of the inhabitants, it is adj
mitted may have seen visions of gor-
geously colored snakes in periods of exces-
sive Indulgence in spirits frumenti, but
such creatures have been intangible sub
stances and existed only in the imagi-
nation.
The only exercises or services in cell
ebration of St. Patrick's day, were held
this morning at the Church of the AS
sumption, where at $3.50. the Very Rev
erend F. M Hayden, celebrated high
mass. There was a large congregation
at this service and the children's choir
sang the refrain of the air of st. Pat
rick's day before the mass and at the
close sang the old st. Patrick's day
hymn.
Father Hayden preached a short SER
mon, dealing with the life and work
of Ireland's patron saint. taking as his
text: THE just man shall be held in
everlasting remembrance" from the
Psalms No reward, said Father Hay
den, could be greater than this prom
Use to the just man to be held in eter-