CARDINAL MERCIER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16285, 19 January 1915, Page 10

CARDINAL MERCIER.

-o "IMPOSING AND ATTRACTIVE." AN APPRECIATION, llaoul Narsy, in Everyman, gives tho following appreciation ol Cardinal Mercier, tho Archbishop of Malmes, Belgium, whose reported arrest by tho Germans because of a pastoral letter issued by him to his clergy and their Hook caused widespread indignation : —

The first time I saw Cardinal Mercier was 15 years ago in the Gare du Nord at Brussels. 1 was coining back from Louvajn, where, under the guidance of Edmoud Bruiju, I had seen, much too quickly for my taste, the celebrated little town. It was the end of September, we arrived at Louvain late in tho afternoon, and tho hour for our return train was drawing- near. By the time I hud admired the sumptuous magniiieence of the Town Hull, the strong, yet elegant, boldness of the Collegiate, the marvels of Saint Gertrude and Saint Jacques, wc had not much time left. "It is during tho university session that you should see Louvain," de Bruiju said to me as he went through tho silent university. I went back to Brussels rather disappointed—above all, because T had missed seomg the famous library, which was closed during tho vacation, —when on getting out of the train my companion pointed out Monsignor Mercier. I would tain have been introduced to his old muster, who was at that time only " rcctcur 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 me, and I did not insist, for I imagined there, might be another motive than mere reserve. Some time before, while he was still a law student at Louvain, de Bruiju, . who was enthusiastic about art, literature, and religious cestheticism —more so, perhaps, than about legal studies—had founded a paper which wae beginning 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 60 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 names a& liemy tie Gourmont, Andre Gidc, Henri Muzcl, Francis Jammes, Max Elskamp, Victor Kmon, Georges _ !o Cardonnel, Charles Guerin, Louis Denise, Abbe Klein, Charles Moricc, Fcrnand Severin, etc. De Bruiju had been warmly encouraged at Louvain, Monsignor de Harlez, the famous Orientalist, having allowed his name to figure among tho members of the committee. But although I had no grounds for so thinking, I had an idea that Monsignor Mercier had not looked too favourably on an enterprise that might tend to make his best students forsake tho dry university programme of study. I had, therefore, to content myself with going a littlo nearer the rector of Louvain and studying him unseen, while he paced the platform awaiting hie train. AN ORIGINAL FACE.

I was struck more than I can say by tho 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 tho clear eye, and what kindness in tho mobile expressive features and friendly, almost childlike, smile! So appeared to mo tho man who soon after wu3 to become Archbishop of Malincs and Primate of Belgium. I knew him as only 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 indelible stamp on Catholic philosophy, and made Louvain one of the centres of learning. But I was not at all surprised to learn some ycarg later that the author of the " Psychologic " and of the " Criteriologio Generale " was at tho same time a groat bishop, as attentive to tho material needs of his 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 the Church was coming back from Rome, where he had been called to the election of the successor of Pius X., and, as he was going from Paris, eager to rejoin his country devastated by Teutonic barbarism, he kindly granted mo an interview in this peaceful house of tho Lazarists in the Ruo do Sevres, where ho stopped for a few hours. A I/OOK OF PROUD SORROW.

When I saw him, all my former impressions came back to mo. It was tho same ascetic face, the same thoughtful kindly expression, the same gontlo smile. Age ' seemed hardly to havo touched tho Cardinal. A few lines wore 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 mo when I spoke of the heroic traditions of the Belgian people and the bravery of the. defenders of Liege and of Albert's army. "Yes, they did not. believe us capable of that, did they?" In what heartrending words he pictured to me tho many disasters and alrorious sufferings that were falling on his diocesans. The work of centuries annihilated at Louvain, the metropolitan town of Malincs, a menace of destruction —in short, his country given over to the fui-y 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 murh ruin and desolation; he expressed only the deepest anguish and pity, eager to share and relieve the sufferings of his people. Neither the fatigue of a long journey, nor the uncertainty of returning to Belgium troubled tho Cardinal's mind. He was doing what he considered a bishop's duty, unci would have left Paris the evening of his arrival there had the interrupted oomnnmication not rendered it impossible. He stayed there just tho time necessary to make arranirements to return to Belgium. Alas! at that time Cardinal Mereicr 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 tho trials inflicted on a just cause, far from weakening his confidence, confirmed hie trust in the final triumph of justice over felony and of right over might. I received from hig own lips tho 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 ftep gained. Ard 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.