The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-03-12

swer the voice of the Irish" that he
declared was calling to him
He would bring happiness to the
Isle OF Destiny by way of Christianity
wasn't that a noble mission? And
they were ripe for his hand. He landed
near the mouth of the River Slany,
two miles from the place now known
as Saul At that time there were
many divisions and as many rulers in
Ireland, each brave clan being a law
unto itself. st. Patrick made straight
for the nearest chief, Dichu, who
thought he and his companions were
pirates and came armed to meet them,
but when st. Patrick spoke to him the
melting sweetness of his message
turned Dichu into stanch friend on
the spot, and straightway he gave a
barn to be used as temporary church
nent one-and the place is known to
this day as Saul, (Saul meaning barn).
Peaceful Conquest Of Erin.
So the blessed man went up and
down the island leaving the broad
track of light behind him. He gath,
cred together the chiefs and their
clans that had been warning among
themselves and he made them into one
solid body. For the Irish never do
things by halves, and their love and
chivalry responded to the appeal of
the apostle of Erin. 1t wasn't giving
-. ia ~
snatching back with two they we're
not a bit of it-only each one trying
to Guido his neighbor in goodness and
selfsacrifice. Don't think that 1t was
all easy sailing. The saint met with
much opposition and had many threats
made on his life, but that didn't feaze
him one whit. The strongest oppo-
nents he had were the Druids, as the
pagan priests were called He deter
mined 70 put stop to them, and went
right into their stronghold at Tara,
where they were holding high jinks,
by lighting the Easter fire, for 1t was
Easter eve The royal command was
sent to Patrick to present himself to
the court at Slane. There he was re-
ceived with dudgeon and welcomed by
the royal bard Dubbthaek 1t was just
what he wanted and he began tc
preach to them and converted more
than half of them on the spot, gaining
the kings permission to preach in any
part of Ireland he wished
No need to tell him twice. From
Connaught he travelled to the Lakes
of Killarney. from the east to the west
and from the north to the south, back
and forth he went baptizing thousands,
His last years were spent near Saul,
advising and teaching those who were
to take up his work and follow after
him. And on the 18th of March, In
the year 1873, "he was translated to
heaven" Much has been said about
just where his grave is, but as long as
we know that his ashes rest in the soil
of install, what matter?
And today Erin's sons are scattered
far and wide doing the worlds work
Literature, science and art have drawn
from the Irish resources, not to men
ton that hardworking team. Mike and
Pat" that keep body and soul together
| for half of the vaudeville performers
nothing is so easy to attempt as the
Irish brogue. Maybe you've noticed
that the underdone bits are rarer than
the overdone ones? Professional nu-
morists. bad manners to them. would
become extinct entirely If the same
pair were not handy to have smart an
swers wished onto the ends of their
tongues. It's not saying the Irish are
not witty / am. but only SO good-nat
ured that the sins CT the world are
grated graciously upon them