The Writings of St. Patrick

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 99, 22 March 1888, Page 3

The Writings of St. Patrick

For a sixpence it is now possible to procure the most scholarly English translation of the writings of St. Patrick, generally believed to be genuine, with the necessary addition of historical and critical notes. The work has been performed by Professor Stokes of Dublin, and Dr. C. H. H. Wright, the Bampton Lecturer for 1878 ; both names will serve as a guarantee which will satisfy every scholar. As the work was intended to be executed on an absolutely unsectarian basis, it was hoped at first that it might have been possible to have obtained a Roman Catholic clergyman as one of the editors. But when application was made to a scholar of that Church, highly esteemed both from a religious and literary point of view, the reasons assigned by that gentleman of non-compliance with' the request were such as left no hope for co> operation. The notes have been confined to points on which no religious controversy is involved, and it is evident that the editors have endeavoured to act with the most perfect impartiality. They leave the writings of St Patrick to tell their own tale. One of the most notable characteristics of these fragments is the genuine missionary spirit they display. This has roused many a Christian '■ worker to action in the past, and it may well fctir up many in our day also Dr Wright expresses a hope that the the new uncontroversial edition may find its way into many Irish homes, aud tend to endear St. Patrick's name still more to the people of Ireland. Not only Irishmen, but Scotsmen and Englishmen as well, may read with pleasure and profit these relics of a bygone day. i