CARDINAL MERCIER.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIX, Issue 11, 14 January 1915, Page 6

CARDINAL MERCIER.

AND ATTRACTIVE."

AN APPRECIATION

Raoul Narsy, in Everyman, gives! rfche following appreciation of Cardinal ■ jKercieiy. the' Archbishop of Malines, -Belgium, whose reported arrest by the Germans because of a Pastoral letter issued by him to his clergy ■euad their flock caused widespread '.indignation: —■ The first- time I saw Cardinal .Mercier was fifteen years ago in the -Gare dv Nord at Brussels. I was •coming back, from Louvain, where, -voider oh© guidance of Edmond firuiju, I had seen, much too quickly .for my taste, the celebrated little town. It was'the end of September, we arrived at Lonvain late in the .afternoon, . and the- hour for our .return was drawiiI'^1'^ near. By the time 1 had admired the sumptuous ■ :magnincence -of the Town Hall, the strong, yet elegant, boldness of the -Collegiate, the marvels of Saint 'Gertrude and Saint Jacques, we had not much time left. "It is during ■the university; session, that you should see Louva'n," de Bruiju said to me as we went through the silent University. I went back to Brussels rather disappointed, above all, because I had missed seeing the famous library, which was closed during the vacation, when on. getting out of the train my companion pointed oat Mousignor Mercier. I would fain have been introduced to his old master, who was at that time only "recteur1 magnifique," but whose profound works had already won him renown. My idea was to -ask th* ' Prelate, as librarian of the -Catholic Institute in Paris, which post I then held, permission to see •over the University Library. But Briii] v did not offer to present me, and I did not insist, for I imagined there mighj be another motive thaw, mere reserve. Some time Before,, while he was still a law student at Louvain, de Bruiju, who Was enthu : ;siastie about art, . literature', and religious sestheticism, more so,, perhaps, than about legal studies, had founded a papar which was begin-, ning to make a stir in Belgium, and | even further afield—the Catholic Spectator. To sing the praises' of, this paper, many of whose contributors were not so youthful as its •editor, is not my. business, but it may be .allowed, perhaps, to justify the interest it aroused, by mentioning; that it had among its contributors' •such names as Remy de Gounnpnt, Andre Gide, Henri Mazel, Francis .Jammes, Max Elskainp, Victor Kmon-, Georges le Cardonnel, Charles Guerin, Louis Dem'se, Abbe Klein, Charles- Moriee., Fernand Severin, ©tc. De Bruijn had been warmly at Louvain, Mgr. de Harlez, the famous Orientalist, having allowed his name to figure among the members of the committee. But although I had, no Sounds for so thinking, I had an ea that Mgr.' Mercier ' had not looked too favorably on am enterprise tfcat might tend to make his students forsako the dry University programme of study. I had therefore to content myself with going a little nearer the Hector of Louvain) and •studying him unseen, while he* paced the platform awaiting his train. AX ORIGINAL FACE. I was struck more than I can say by the both imposing and attractiveaspect of this original face. How distinguished seemed his tall, lean figure! What authority showed in tlhis austere, thoughtful face, this ■calm, high forehead that seemed full <

of deep, earnest thought, what intelligence shining in the clear eye, and wliat. kindness in the mobile expressive features acd friendly, almost childlike, smile! So appeared to me tin© 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 one of the pioneers of the new school of theology; as a master who had left an indelibio stamp on Catholio philosophy, and made Louvain one of the centres of learning. But I was nob at ail surprised to learn some years later rhat the author of the "PsychologY and of the "Criteriologie generale" was at the same time a great bishop, as attentive to the material needs of his flock as,.to their religious interests.

It was only many years later, quite recently, indeed, that I had the honor of finding myself in the presence of this gentle prelate, and of being ' received by him. The circumstances p were memorable. The Prince of the Church was corning back from Rome, where \h e had been called to the.election of. Pius. X., and, as he was going from Paris, eager to rejoin his country devastated by Teutonic

barbarism, he knidly granted me an interview in this peaceful house of the Lazarists in the 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 me,

It was?

the same ascetic face, the same thoughtful, kindly expression, the same gentle smile. Age seemed hardly to have touched the Cardinal. A few lines weie more deeply marked on his iioble forehead, , but that seamed all. Yet a look of proud sorrow had changed the expression

of his face

How warmly he answered

me when I spoke of the heroic traditions of the Belgian people and 'the bravery of the 'defenders of Liege land of King Albert's army. "Yes,

they did hoc believe us capable* oi' that, t!id they?" In what heartrending words he pictured to me the many disasters and atrocious sufferings that were falling on , his diocesans. The. work of centuries annihilated at Louvain, the metropolitan town of Malines, la menace of destruction—in short, his country given ever to the fury of savage soldiery who sowed methodically on their way atrocities and death. ON A LONG CALVARY. But not one word of anger came from the lips of this true pontiff of Christ, speaking of so much ruin and desolation; he expressed only the deepest anguish and pity, eager to

share iuid relieve the 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 lie considered a. bishop's duty, and would have left Paris the evening ot his arrival there had the interrupted communication not rendered it impossible. He stayed there just the time necessary to make arrangements to return to Belgium. A 1 as! at that time Cardinal Mercier was only setting out on his long Calvary; he had but sipped the cup of bitterness that he was to drain to the 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 rightover might. I received from his own lips the touching expression of his belief and hope in the 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 has made him pay dearly for every step gained. And I am glad to call forth at this sad hour the image of the patriot primate strong in unconquerable hope and blessing with his sacred hands the glorious standards of heroic Belgium.