It is good this morning to be reminded of the testimony of Patrick the evangelist to Ireland. Patrick is a good example of a Christian who kept this command of Christ. When he was a child playing by the sea on the British mainland, pirates captured him and transporting him to Ireland sold him into slavery to an Irish Lord called Milchu. He suffered many hardships and much loneliness in the vicinity of Slemish mountain. However, the mighty God began to work in Patrick. The Word of God his mother had taught him came back to remembrance. Repentance and faith followed. Of his conversion he later wrote,

“I was sixteen years old and knew not the true God and was carried away captive; but in that strange land the Lord opened my unbelieving eyes, and although late I called my sins to mind, and was converted with my whole heart to the Lord my God, who regarded my low estate, had pity on my youth and ignorance, and consoled me as a father consoles his children. Every day I used to look after sheep and I used to pray often during the day, the love of God and a holy fear of Him increased more and more in me. My faith began to grow and my spirit was ardently stirred. Often, I would pray as many as a hundred times in a single day — and nearly as many at night. Even when I was staying out in the woods or on the mountain, I would rise before dawn for prayer, in snow and frost and rain. I felt no ill effect and there was no slackness in me. As I now realize, it was because the Spirit was maturing and preparing me for a work yet to come.”

Concerning the great awakening work that he later became involved in and its transforming impact upon the island of his captivity, his writings, history, tradition, place names and archaeology fully attests.