The Elbert County tribune., 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 Jaw
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 a stanch friend on
the spot, and straightway he gave a
barn to be used as a temporary church
and land on which to build perma-
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
the apostle of Erin. 1t wasn't giving
to the church with one hand and
snatching back with two they we're
not a bit of it-only each one trying
to outdo his neighbor in goodness and
self-sacrifice. Don't think that it 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 to put stop to them, and went
right into their stronghold at Tara.
where they were holding kigh links.
and began the celebration of Easter
by lighting the Easter fire, for it was
Easter eve. The royal command was
sent to Patrick to present himself to
the court at Slane. There he was re-
ceived with dudgeor and welcomed by
the royal bard Dubbthack 1t was Just
what he wanted and he began to
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 Oh the 17th of March, in
the year 493, "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
tion 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. 'Tis not saying the Irish are
not witty l am. but only SO good-nat-
ured that the sins CT the world are
grated graciously upon them.