that, in one day, I spoke a hundred times in prayer, and in the night almost as often; and even when I passed the night on the mountains, or in the forest, amid snow and ice and rain, I would awake before daybreak to pray. And I felt no discomfort, there was then no sloth in me, such as I find in my heart now, for then the Spirit glowed within me.”
After he had passed six years in the service of this prince, he thought he heard a voice in his sleep which promised him a speedy return to his native land, and soon afterwards announced to him that a ship was already prepared to take him. In reliance on this call, he set out, and after a journey of many days, he found a ship about to set sail. But the captain would not, at first, receive the poor unknown youth. Patrick fell on his knees and prayed. He had not finished his prayer before one of the ship’s company called him back, and offered him a passage. After a wearisome voyage, in which he experienced, from the grace which guided him, many a deliverance from great peril, and many a memorable answer to prayer, he arrived once more amongst his people.
Many years after this, he was again carried off
by pirates. But, in sixteen days, by the special guidance of Providence, he regained his freedom, and again returned, after many fresh perils and fatigues, to his people. Great was the joy of his parents to see their son again after so many perils, and they entreated him thenceforth to remain with them always. But Patrick felt an irresistible call to carry to the people amongst whom he had passed the years of his youth, and amongst whom he had been born again to the heavenly life, the tidings of that salvation which had been imparted to him by Divine grace, whilst amongst them. As the apostle Paul was by the Lord called, in a nocturnal vision, to carry to the people of Macedonia the first tidings of salvation, so there appeared to Patrick one night, in a vision, a man from Ireland with many letters. He gave him one, and Patrick read the first words, “The words of the Irish.” And as he read these words, he thought he heard the simultaneous cry of many Irish tribes dwelling by the sea, “We pray thee, child of God, come and dwell once more amongst us.” He could not read further, from the agitation of his heart, and awoke.
Another night he thought he heard in a dream a heavenly voice, whose last words only were intelligible to him, namely, these words,—“He who gave his life for thee, speaks in thee.” And he awoke full of joy. One night it seemed to him as if something that was in him, and yet above him, and was not himself, prayed with deep sighings, and at the end of the prayer it spoke, as if it were the Spirit of God himself. And he awoke, and remembered the expressive words of the apostle Paul, concerning the inward communion of the children of God with his Spirit, “The Spirit itself helpeth our infirmities. For we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered.” And in Romans viii. 24 “Christ which also maketh intercession for us.”
As the Almighty Shepherd of souls does not draw all to himself by the same means, nor guide and nourish them alike; but, on the contrary reveals and communicates himself to them in divers manners, according to his various purposes for them, and their various wants; it pleased Him to grant Patrick, by many manifestations of his grace, the pledge of the certainty of his fellowship
with Himself, and of his call to preach the Gospel in Ireland. His parents and friends sought to hold him back, representing to him that such an undertaking far exceeded his capacity. He himself informs us of this, when he says: “Many dissuaded me from this journey, and said behind my back, ‘Why does this man throw himself into danger, amongst the heathen who do not know the Lord?’ It was not said maliciously, but they could not comprehend the thing on account of my rustic life and manners.” But nothing could mislead him, for he trusted in the power of the Lord, who imparted to him the inward confidence that He had called him, and was with him. He himself says of this: “Whence came to me so great and blessed a gift, that I should know and love God, and be able to forsake my country and my kindred, although large gifts were offered me, with many tears, if I would remain? And against my will I was compelled to offend many of my kindred and my well-wishers. But by God’s guidance, I yielded not to them; it was not my own power, it was God who triumphed in me, and resisted them all, so that I went amongst the people of Ireland to preach
to them this Gospel, prepared to suffer much contempt from the unbelieving, and many persecutions, even to chains; and, if needful, to sacrifice my freedom for the good of others. And if I am counted worthy, I am ready also to lay down my life with joy for His name’s sake.”
Patrick, accordingly, went to Ireland, in the year 431. He could now make use of his early proficiency in the Irish language. He gathered great multitudes of the people together in the open air, by beat of drum, to tell them of the sufferings of the Saviour for sinful men; and the doctrine of the cross manifested its characteristic power over many hearts. Patrick met indeed with much opposition. The priests and national bards, who possessed great influence, excited the people against him, and he had to endure many a hot persecution. But he overcame by his steadfastness in the faith, by his fervent zeal, and by a love which drew all hearts to itself. Patrick addressed himself especially to the chiefs and princes of the people. They could do the most mischief, if they were excited by the Druids against the strange religion; and, on the other hand, if they received the Gospel, they might
make their people more accessible, and form a counterbalance to the influence of the Druids.