Chronicles Of The Ancient British Church PDF Download

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1847 edition. Excerpt: ...at Down in Ulster. The labours of St. Patrick and his immediate successors were attended with considerable success. They found a great nation of Pagans; but before a century had elapsed, multitudes had been received into the bosom of the church. Nor is it less remarkable, that Ireland before the close of the sixth century should boast of names, which, whether for piety or learning, had no superiors in the most cultivated regions of the Continent. The infant church was every where amply endowed, and the prayers and labours of holy men were repaid by liberal donations. Fame magnified his labours, for Nennius, narrates that at the beginning St. Patrick founded three hundred and sixty-five churches, and ordained three hundred and sixty-five bishops, besides three thousand presbyters. The first Christian missionaries in Ireland seem to have carefully avoided all unnecessary violence to the ancient habits of the aborigines. Their poets and priests they favoured and protected; the remains of the Druidical order were not persecuted; and although they severely condemned the worshippers of the sun, stars, and winds, it is evident that some Pagan superstitions were overlooked with too great indulgence--for they subsist at this day in Ireland. Some of the oldest remains of Irish literature inform us, that the people were taught to dedicate the first-born of all cattle to the church, as a matter of indispensable obligation. But if the clergy thus acquired riches, they applied them to the noblest purposes. Schools were established by the apostle of the country: by his disciples they were multiplied and enlarged, until their celebrity was diffused throughout Europe, and, as we learn from the venerable Bede, the youths of Britain were sent to them for...