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Truth Triumphant - Benjamin G. Wilkinson

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men. He revealed that steadfastness of purpose<br />

required to accomplish a great task. His splendid<br />

ability to organize and execute his Christian<br />

enterprises revealed his successful ability to lead.<br />

He was frank and honest. He drew men to him, and<br />

he was surrounded by a band of men whose hearts<br />

God had touched. Such a leader was needed to<br />

revive the flickering flames of New Testament<br />

faith in the West, to raise up old foundations, and<br />

to lay the groundwork for a mighty Christian<br />

future.<br />

To guide new converts, Patrick ordained<br />

overseers or bishops in charge of the local<br />

churches. Wherever he went, new churches sprang<br />

up, and to strengthen them he also founded<br />

schools. These two organizations were so closely<br />

united that some writers have mistakenly called<br />

them monasteries. The scholarly and missionary<br />

groups created by Patrick were very different from<br />

those ascetic and celibate centers which the papacy<br />

strove to multiply.[32] According to Sir William<br />

Betham, monastic life was considered disgraceful<br />

by the Scots and the Goths during the first four<br />

192

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