It is right to observe that the verses in which these natural and magical powers are named are somewhat different in form from the rest of the hymn, so as to suggest a possibility that they are of later addition.

From the purely Christian standpoint, the inanimate forces of nature that Patrick calls to his aid were things of no account.

To the mind of Irish heathenism they embodied supernatural powers, and the hymn, face to face with this heathen tradition, boldly claims that whatever virtue there is in these things belongs to Patrick and not to his adversary.

The notion of supernatural powers attached to the forces of nature persisted long.

A monastic annalist records that Laoghaire, in pursuit of his policy for the subjugation of Leinster, was defeated in battle in the year 458 and was made prisoner, but was set free upon his swearing by the sun and winds to abandon his claim to tribute.

MORE ON THE DRUIDS

Druids, the learned class among the ancient Celts whose name means ‘Knowing (or finding) the Oak Tree’. They seem to have frequented oak forests and acted as priests, teachers and judges.

The earliest known records of the Druids come from the 3rd century.

According to Julius Caesar, who is the principal source of information about the Druids, there were two groups of men in Gaul that were held in honor, the Druids and the noblemen (equites).

Caesar related that the Druids took charge of public and private sacrifices and many young men went to them for instruction. They judged all public and private quarrels and decreed the penalty.

If anyone disobeyed their decree, he was barred from sacrifice, which was considered the gravest of punishments.

One Druid was made the chief; upon his death, another was appointed. If, however, several were equal in merit, the Druids voted, although they sometimes resorted to armed violence.

Once a year the Druids assembled at a sacred place in the territory of the Carnutes, which was believed to be the center of all Gaul, and all legal disputes were there submitted to the judgment of the Druids.

Caesar also recorded that the Druids abstained from warfare and paid no tribute. Attracted by those privileges, many joined the order voluntarily or were sent by their families.

They learned a great number of verses, some spending as much as 20 years in training. The DRUIDS PRINCIPAL DOCTRINE WAS THAT THE SOUL WAS IMMORTAL AND PASSED AT DEATH FROM ON~ PERSON INTO ANOTHER. They also taught young

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