EUROPE TO-DAY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 303, 21 November 1938, Page 9

EUROPE TO-DAY

STEPHEN THE GREAT. Stephen the Great is one of the national heroes of Rumania. We think of him here in Moldavia, a district over which he ruled for nearly all the second half of the 15th century. In his day he fought 50 battles, losing only two. Nearly all his wars were against the Turks for his country was on the highway between the Christian and Mohammedan worlds. Stephen fought for his land and for his faith, and the people of Rumania are proud of him to this day. Well they may be, but we must think much of his success was duo to the faith others had in him. We are told that once, having lost a battle and been badly wounded, Stephen fled to the castle where his fair wife and his loving mother were safely hidden. He arrived in the dead of night. A cold wind was howling in the darkness and the rain was falling fast. He banged at the castle gate, and his mother appeared at an opening, and said, “Who is that, knocking?” “Your son, Stephen, came the reply. “Thou Host,” was the answer, “my son would only come back if he were victorious, or else die for his country.” “Oh, give me entrance, my wounds are sore,” Stephen cried, but the answer came, “Go, if thou really be my son. Shame not my white hairs, but go and die on the battlefield for thy country. Get thee hence!” Not a word said Stephen, but he turned the head of his weary horse and climbed the mountain side. He won the battle. His old age was crowned with the famous name of Stephen the Great. —(G.)