The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1918-05-18

name of Patrick disappears, until a
generation arrives that sees through
the contemplate trick and brings
back the prone name into it's old high
honor again." Cardinal O'Connell.
Not without reason has the name of
st. Patrick been held in veneration
through these many generations.
There is nowhere a teacher whose
services for learning exerted so wide
an influence in time so critical for
all culture. There is nowhere a states
man whose activity so completely re-
formed the character of any people.
There is nowhere such a national hero.
whose fame is sounded across fifteen
centuries and can still stir emotions
OF ardent enthusiasm far beyond his
native shores. There is nowhere a
saint whose teachings are blended like
his, with the destinies of his nation
so that the invocation of his name
can be at once the cry of patriotic de-
votion and the expression of religious
veneration. Seven cities claimed
Homer, but to st. Patrick, whose feast
day will be celebrated on March 18th,
have been assigned Roman, Gallo,
Scottish, British and Celtic origin. A
majority Of learned historians claim
that Christianity was introduced into
Ireland by Catholic missionaries from
the continent of Europe long before
the advent Of the accepted national
apostle st. Patrick, who in his boy
hood was captured on the northern
coast of Ireland while engaged in a
predatory expedition with the "Gauls"
as foreign adventures were then
called. In regard to this period of the
future apostles career, we are mainly
guided by tradition, as the Saint left
no memoirs that would throw light on
his first Irish experience. Such ex-
petitions were not uncommon in the
age in which he lived, nor were they
for ages that followed. It seems GER
tain that his captors offered him no
bodily harm, and he was sent to herd
swine amid the hills of Down.
This inspired boy, destined to be
one of the greatest among men and
the saints of God, remained a prisoner
among the pagan Irish for many years
and thus acquired a thorough knowl-
edge of their laws, language and char
acter. .......
Whether he was finally released by
them, or managed to make his escape,
is question of some dispute, but. it is
certain he made his way back to Gaul,
now known as France, and thence pro-
ceeded to Rome, where, having been
ordained a priest he obtained au-
dience of Pope Celestine and was by
him encouraged and commissioned to
convert the distant Irish nation to
Christianity.
Filled with a holy zeal, st. Patrick
repaired as rapidly as possible to his
field of labor and after suffering many
rude repulses, at last about the year
1872 found himself back in Ulster
where he fearlessly preached the Cos
pei with miraculous success to those
among whom he had formerly lived
as a serf. Afterward he proceeded to
the royal province of Meath and on
the stored hill of Slane cover against"
that of Tara, where the Irish monarch
Leary was holding court,-lighted the
sacred fire in definance of the edict
of the Druid high priest who wor-
shipped the fires of Baol and forbade
all others to be kindled.
The pagan king summoned the dar-
ing apostle to his presence, and asked
him concerning his sacred mission.
st. Patrick explained it, and having
the royal consent, proceeded to preach
with on o1onuonco that dazZ1ed king