October 9

FEAST OF ST. DENYS, BISHOP, accounted Patron Saint of France. Assigned to the third century.

SO much has to be set aside as incredible, or at the least as untrustworthy in the history (?) of this personage, that we shall not, I think, memorialize him amiss by reflecting thankfully that one who presumably bore his name was undoubtedly constituted God's instrument in converting to Christianity certain first-fruits of the great and noble French nation.

St. Denys of Paris--for Paris is assigned as the field of his labors, and Montmartre as the scene of his martyrdom--has, erroneously as it appears, been identified with St. Paul's adherent, "Dionysius the Areopagite:" while both together have become confused with the author of certain works belonging to a later century, and popularly and perhaps correctly ascribed to (a third) Dionysius.

Tradition represents St. Denys as beheaded: and then as arising and carrying his head a considerable distance.

Now, without pretending to pronounce on this particular legend, let us lay to heart St. Paul's injunction: "Refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness."