CARDINAL MERCIER.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15173, 11 January 1915, Page 8

CARDINAL MERCIER.

"IMPOSING AND ATTRACTIVE.'

AN APPRECIATION

"Raoul Narsy, in "Everytna*'-" gives the following appreciation of Cardinal Mercier, th© Archbishop of Malinca, Belgium, whose reported arrest by the Germans because of a Pastoral 1-etter issued by him to his clergy and their flock caused widespread indignation:—

The first time I saw Cardinal Mercier was fifteen years ago in the Gar© dv Nord at Brussels. I was coming back from Louvain. where, under the guidance of Edmond Braiju. I had seen, much too quickly for mv taste, th© celebrated little town. It was th© end of September, wo arrived at Louvain lato in th© afternoon, and th© hour for our return train was drawing near. By the time I had admired the sumptuous magnificence of th© Town Hall, th© strong, yet elegant, boldness of the Collegiate, tho marvels of Saint Gertrude and Saint Jacques, we had not much time left. "It is during th© university session that you should sco Louvain," do Bruiju said to m© as wo went through the silent University. I went back to Brussels rather disappointed, above all. because I had missed seeing the faimous library, which was closed during tho vacatiou. when on getting out of the train mv companion pointed out Monsignor Mercier.

I would fain have been introduced to his old master, who was at that time onh* "rectour magnifique." but whose profound works had already won him renown. My idea was to ask the Prelate, as librarian of the Catholic Institute in Paris, which post I then held, permission to see over the University Library. But Bruiju did not offer to present mc. and 1 did not insist, for I imagined there mMit bo another motivo than mere reserve. Some time before, while he was still a law student at Louvain. do Bruiju, who was enthusiastic about art, literature, and religious a?stheticism, more so, perhaps, than about legal studies, had founded a paper which was beginning to make a stir in Belgium, and even further afield—th© "Catholic Spectator." To sing tho prai.sos of this paper, many of whose contributors were not so youthful as its editor, is not my business, but I may be allowed, perhaps, to justify the interest it aroused by mentioning that it had among its contributors such nameas Remy de Gourmont, Andr© Gide, Henri Mazel, Francis Jammes, Max Elskamp. Victor Kmon, Georges lo Cardonnel. Charles Gnorin, Louis Denis©. Abb© Klein, Charles Morico, Fernand Severin, etc. De Bruiju had been warmly encouraged at Louvain. Mgr. do Harlez, the famous Orientalist, having allowed his nam© to figur© among th© members of tho committee. But although I had no grounds for so thinking, I had an idea that Mgr. Mercier had not looked too favourably on an enterprise that might tend to make his best students forsake th© dry "University programme of study. I had, therefore, to content myself with going a little nearer the Rector of Louvain and studying him unseen, while he paced tho platform awaiting his train. AN ORIGINAL FACE. I was struck more than I can say by th© both imposing and attractive aspect of this original face. How distinguished seemed his tall, lean figure! What authority showed in this austere, thoughtful face, this calm, high forehead that seemed full of deep, earnest thought, what intelligence shining in the clear eye, and what kindness in the mobile expressive features and friendly, almost childlike, smile! So appeared' to mc the man who soon after was to become Archbishop of Malines and Primate of Belgium. I only knew him as a philosopher, greatly esteemed by his compeers as on© of th© pioneers of th© new school of theology; as a master who had-left an indelible stamp on Catholic philosophy, and made Louvain one of th© centres of learning. But I was not at all surprised to learn some years later that the author of th© "Tsychologie" and of the "Criteriologi© generale" was at th© sam© tim© a great bishop, as attentive to the material needs of this flock as to their religious interests.

It was only many years later, quite recently, indeed, that I had tho honour of finding myself in the presence of this gentle prelate, and of being received by him. The circumstances were memorable. The Prince of th© Church was coming back from Rome, where he had been called to th© election of the successor of Pins X., and, as h© was going from Paris, eager to rejoin his country devastated by Teutonic barbarism, he kindly granted mc an interview in this peaceful house of th© Lazarists in tho Rue de Sevres, where he stopped "for a few hours. A LOOK OF PROUD SORROW. When I saw him, all my former impressions came back to mc. It was the samo ascetic face, the same thougbtful, kindly expression, th© same gentle smile. Age seemed hardly to havo touched the Cardinal. A few lines were marked more deeply on his noble forehead, but that seemed all. Yet a look of proud sorrow had changed the expression of his face- . How warmly he answered mc when I spoke of the heroic traditions of the Belgian people and the bravery of the defenders of Liege and of King Albert's army. "Yes, they did not believ© us capable of that, did they?" In what heartrending words he pictured to mc tho many disasters and atrocious sufferings that wero falling on his diocesans. - The work of centuries annihilated at Louvain, the metropolitan town of Malines. a menace of destruction —in short, his country given over to the fury of savage soldiery who sowed methodically on their way atrocities and death. ON A LONG CALVARY. But not on© word of anger cam© from th© lips of this true pontiff of Christ, speaking of so much ruin and desolation ; h© expressed only the deepest anguish and pity, eager to share and relieve th© sufferings of his people. Neither the fatigue of a long journey, nor the uncertainty of returning to Belgium troubled the Cardinal's mind. He was doing what h© considered a bishop's duty, and would have left Paris the evening of his arrival there had the interrupted communication not rendered it impossible. He stayed there just th© time necessary to make arrangements to return to Belgium. Alas! at that timo Cardinal Mercier was only setting out on his long Calvary ; ho had but sipped the cup of bitterness that he was to drain to tho dregs. His sorrow at the trials inflicted on a just cause, far from weakening his confidence, confirmed his trust in the final triumph of justice over felony and of right over might. I received from his own lips the touching expression of his belief and hop© in th© future. But how many delays since then? What ruin and bloodshed and mourning! Yet Belgium's courage has disputed inch by inch its country to the invader, and lias made him pay dearly for every s tep gained. And lam glad to call forth at this sad hour the image of th© patriot primate, strong in unconquerable hope and blessing with his sacred hands the glorious standards of heroic Belgium.