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 fri