The morning call., 1891-08-30
CHRIST'S robe
SHOWN At TREVES.
Another That Is at ArgGntGuiL, a Little
Village Near Paris.
The War Veterans in the Parisian Capital.
Possibility Of a Reorganization at the
Hotel des Invalides.
Special Paris Letter to THE SUNDAY CALL.

PARIS, Aug. 9, 1s91.-Treves, in Rhenish
Prussia, and Argenteuil, little village
near Paris, are engaging in a serious dispute
about garment once worn by Jesus Christ.
At the present time the city Of Treves is
holding an exhibition, and 10000 people
each day journey thither to see the dark red
tunic said to have belonged to Jesus Christ.
This holy tunc that the old electoral city
preserves with great care is usually con-
cealed from the eyes of the faithful, but
once in fifty years the seals of the cave OF
masonry in which it is hidden are broken
and the walls torn down, only to be again
raised at the end OF six weeks.
Since 1841 the ceremony has not taken
place, and this year there is especial interest
attached to the exhibition because many
of the faithful contest the authenticity of
the Treves tunic.
l have not seen either garment, but l
know an ecclesiastic who is carefully study
ing the question, and who hopes to salts
factorily explain the discussion between
Argenteuil and Treves.
He says: "The Bishop of Versailles and
the Bishop Of Treves are both troubled,
and both have asked that faithful exam
inatiOn be made. The Treves relic is a
kind Of peplum that draped the shoulders
wore this cloak, for Christ was always
dressed as workman. Besides, the Treves
tunic Is not seamless, and that fact alone
should prove that it is not the garment men,
toned In the Bible. Then it is lined with
silk and is made Of stuff that In all parts
is not identically the same. The tunic pos
sessed by the church at Argenteuil is with
out seam and made of eamels' hair. 1t is
X yards long and "a yards wide. Christ
always wore tunic like the Judean work
men, and the Judean peasant to-day wears
garment similar in every respect to the
one at Argentruil. All the Passion relics
were first transported to Constantinople,
and the Savior's robe was placed in safety
by the Empress Helene, mother of Com
stantine, until the day that the Empress
Irene gave 1t to Charlemagnp, who in his
turn confded it to his niece, Theodore, Alb
bess OF the monastery at Argenteuil.
'All the authors who mention the discovery
OF the tunic in 1156 say that with the tunic
were found letters and writings relating to
It's history and attesting its authenticity.
When the monastery was destroyed the
tunic became the property Of the church at
Argenteuil.
"On the left side of this tunic large piece
Is missing, and the left sleeve Is altogether
wanting. 1t seems that in the center of the
Ireyes robe is piece of stuff that exactly
resembles the tunic Of Argenteuil. Per-
haps. and more than perhaps. 1t Is probable,
that this piece was given by the Empress
Irene herself TO the cathedral of Treves, at
the time that the vestment was presented
to Charlemagne.
In any case We are going to see II the
piece at Treyes will fit the tunic at Argen-
teuil."
Meanwhile pilgrims are touching the
tunic at Treves, hoping thus to be freed
from spiritual and physical Ills. In no age
have people been too eYacting about relics.
When st. Louis brought the crown of
thorns from the Crusades, there was al
ready a crown of thorns at ST. Denis; 1t
was used in professions, but when the King
appeared with another, the first noiseessly
disappeared, and was never more heard
from.
With the death of General Sumpt, the
Hotel des lnvalides is destined for reor-
ganizatiOn. In this retreat there are at
present 30 soldiers, without families. These
have all been severely wounded, but, not
withstandiDg their wounds, their poverty
and their homelessness, they say that rather
than submit 10 the seventies imposed upon
them by General Arnoux, the new Gov
ernor of the Invalides, they will manage in
some way to live on their pensions, ami to