The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1878-02-16

be credited with having been always sincere
and with having acted in the full conviction
that he was right.
With heart overlooking with charity,
Plus the Ninth endeavored to improve every
opportunity to alleviate the pains of the
suffering; coDSeCrated Priest of God, his
constant aim was to promote religion;
finally elevated to the highest position on
earth within the reach of man, he was I'M
firing in his efforts to advance the interests
of the Church he loved so we'll and sa-
credly.'
He was born on the 18Th of May. 1892,
and performed the sacred duties of Priest
for the first time on Easter, 1919. The
first place of Importance which we find
him occupying is that of Secretary to the
Apostolic Delegate to Chill. An instance
occurred during the travel to Chilli which
evidences The great charity which ever in
SplreG INN. A the company we're on their
way to The capital, they had to put up at a
miserable. ways de inn, far remote from any
other human hahitatiOn. In this comfort
less abode, tossing and writing on bed
of sickness. lay M English officer. many
Thousand mites away from home and friends
Fhe sad condition of this unhappy gentle
man. a stranger aud a herctic. became
known TO the Italian ecceSiaSticS: one of
whom charItably remained behind his com
pauiunS to watch by he sick man. whom he
uursrd with all the tenderness Of n mother
or 4 sister. Nor did he leave his side I'll
he bad the satisfaction of seeing him re-
stored to health and strength. The Italian
Priest was MaStal FeIrctti, afterwards Plus
the Ninth.
1t was while Archbishop of Imola, that
the subject of our memoir was proclaimed
Cardinal. Decembrr Il. 1910 But his ex-
allied position was Tar from lessenlug his
zeal for the salvation Of souls With such
men, 1.-THE higher the station the greater
the labor is the maxim Under the ad-
ministration of the Cardinal the See of
lmola tinurlshed. He promoted college
for ecclesiastical students whose means
were limited: a society for the guardian
ship and maintenance Of about thirty chill
dren Of the poorest class destined for the
mechanical arts; and erected, adjoining the
public hospital, an asylum for the INSANE; ;
besides many other works OF a like chalta-
bic nature.
In June, 1916, while engaged i'll spirit
ual retreat with cons1de. able Huta Der of
his clergy, Cardinal HaS'ai received the
announcement Of the death of his prede
cesSor, Gregory the Sixteenth. On the 10Th
of the same month, the Cardinals being as
sembled i'll conclave, the testing of the
votes began. The evening of the 1G,h
found Cardinal MaStai unanimously chosen
Pope, and on the Eth, he was proclaimed
Plus the Ninth. Aud what a great bless
ing did Gpd thus bestow upon His Church.
III giving to it one su emiuently qualified
to be its Head-one capable of leading it
so successfully through the turbulent times
which have filled the reign of Plus the
Ninth! Scarcely had the conclave closed.
when the newly elected Pontlff addressed
his brothers, at his native city, IN this man
ner, 50 characteristic Of his modest and
humble nature:
The blessed God, who humbles and ex-
ats, has been pleased to raise me from in
Significance TO the most sublime dignity on
earth. May His most holy will be ever
done. | am sensible to a certain extent of
the immense weight of such charge, and
| also feel my utter incapacty. not to say
the eutire nuliity of my powers. Cause
prayers to be offered, and you also pray for
me. = = : Ii the city should wish to
make any public demonstration on the oc-
casion, | request you Will take measures
indeed | desire It-that the whole sum SO
destined be applied to purposes which may
be Judged useful TO the city
From the beginning of his reign until
the hour of his death we may say Plus the
Ninth suffered. Nevertheless, no sovereign
reigned with more magnanimity. He
found, when he came into power, many
who were suffering from political diSabli-
ties. To these he granted amnesty. Yet
The emissaries of disorder succeeded in de-
str0ying the peace he brought to his people,
and finX lily drove him from his own city.
In exile. nSough, he was as truly Pope as
when seated>Sn his throne in the Quirinal
or the Vatican "a Il manner of tributes of
respect. admiration 9nd love, came :" HIM
from various parties aid the whole world
acknowledged his dignity Again ruling
III Ills own states. he displays fir&t same deep
regard for his Suti both Sitirit1s aud
empnral-always laboIiug diligenrly\Ioi
their good. Finally he Is deprived of hiA
rempuia! possessions again, 10y The hands
of All uug ratetul child. and forced to he
prisoner in his own palace there 10 die.
Was not his life of pain? Yes; but
how like the Divine Savlour'S! Glorious,
therefore, 1t was. and thrice more glorious
than al the treasures and pleasures of the
earth is that joy whlcn he how exp"rrei'cr s.
NTIAN.