The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-03-16

himself for the great task to which he had consecrated his life. Something about those Irish mas- ters whom he had served and observed, caused St. Patrick to believe that he had come in con- tact with Q race of men not born to live and die in day, but with a work to do through all ages. So he had determined to return when hc had fully prepared him. self as & missionary to this Isle of the Sea and bring the light of christianity to It's people.
 Gospel of Christ
 About the year 432 St. Patrick landed once more in Ireland. He came now, not as an unwilling slave to daily toll, but freely as 8 bearer of good tidings. The Irish, even in their pagan state were by nature deeply religious. They had worshipped the sun, the moon, the trees. No people every accepted more readily, more Joyously, the message of the true gospel of Christ. It must be recorded, and shame that 1t should be so, that no people has suffered more by reason of its conversion. But proudly can 1t be said that no people ever re- mained more steadfast therein than have the Irish.
 We return now to the question. Why celebrate this day? What profit may come to us as q people by keeping the memory of St. Patrick alive? Shall we say be- cause 1t affords an opportunity for all those to gather who trace kinship, however remote, to the Emerald Isle, in order to pay homage to the great deeds from the heroic exploits of Irishmen? If that be so, then others with more of Irish eloquence must tell of the patriotic services in every land of her brave men and noble women. Others, again, must sing the sweet, sad songs of Ireland. To others I must leave the joy of telling stories rich with Irish humour, and of painting in bold colors the great contribution of Irishmen to the worlds literature and learning. These are, indeed, reasons enough to glory in our Irish ancestry. It is a heritage of which we may well be proud.
 Inspiring
 I ask you to think tonight of St. Patrick as an inspiring leader, and of the great good that may come when that true leader finds Q people with the spirit and courage that enables them to ac- cept in full degree that leader ship. Such a leader was St. Pa trick, such @ people were the Irish of that day. They followed him out of the darkness of organism into the light of Chris ianity. So great was his influence that through, all the succeeding generations, from that day to this, the descendants of those who accepted the leadership of St. Patrick have been willing to endure all manners of hardship, death itself, rather than prove faithless. Centuries have rolled over the grave of St. Patrick, but today as truly as 1900 years ago, Irishmen gladly acknowledged him as their true leader.
 Liberty Safe
 Who better than the Irishmen is able to glimpse the horizon, to see beyond the veil of this mortal life to the immeasureable hills and stars: to that far of land where God will gather us alto- gether as brothers within the sacred gates through which St. Patrick passed so long ago. There is no one in all the world who defies diversity like an Irishman, no one so willing to engage 1t in deadly combat. In victory he shows neither maliced nor arro- gancel in defeat he smiles through his tears. knowing full well that his faith in God will strengthen him for ultimate victory. There- fore. I have no fear for my cown- try as long as there is Irish blood flowing through American veins our freedom B secure and our liberty safe.