The Savannah morning news., 1903-10-05

name was revered and loved not only
by his own children, but also by per-
sons of every creed. and by every man
who had at heart the uplifting of his
fellow being.
while living, he was everywhere
honored because his words were a tow
er of strength in the cause of Chris
tianity and stable government. Kings.
emperors and princes of every belief
Wed with one another in paying hon.
age to him and in visiting him. But
what he more esteemed, he was loved
and cherished by the sovereign people.
His Death n Worlds Grief.
1--WE all know what intense interest
was aroused throughout the globe in
his last illness. Every varying phase
of his sickness was flashed far and
wide An anxious world was oscil-
lating between hope and fear. while
the august patient was lowering be-
tween life and death. and when the
catastrophe came, the mourning was
universal.
Leo has lifted up the Catholic
Church to a higher plane of dignity
and strength than it had attained
since the days of Leo X. He has in
fused new life into the missionary
world. He has quickened with re-
newed zeal every bishop. priest and
laynan that fell within the scope of
his influence. He has left to his sue
cessor the precious heritage of a
blamf%ess life and an apostolic char
acter. a q
What a subject of profound retiec-
ton is presented by the contrast be-
| tween the funeral rites of the late
Pontiff, and the coronation of his sue
cessor. All that was left on earth of
the great Leo at his obsequies were
his emaciated and shriyelled remains.
That voice which had thrilled millions
throughout the world was hushed for
| ever. Those hands which We're daily
raised to bless, lay motionless on his
breast. The same liturgical prayers
were Chanted, and the same sacrifice
of Precipitation was offered for him
that are employed in behalf of the
humbIest layman.
"Supplications were poured forth to
the Throne of Grace, not for Leo the
sain, nor Leo the scholar and states
man, but for Leo the humble penitent,
who, like all the children of Adam,
| could be saved only through the re-
| deeming merits of Jesus Christ.
''On the Sunday after Leo's obse-
| quies, the newly-elected Pontiff is
| borne in triumph into st. Peter S
! Basilica by liveried servants, amid
| enchanting music and the waving of
ostrich plumes, preceded by the Col
lege of Cardinals, and surrounded by
an immense multitude of bishops
clergy and people who filled the capa-
cious edif1ce, and whose number was
estimated at $4,000. 80
Sic Transit Gloria Mundi.
But another scene is presented which
| is calculated to sober the Pontiff annie
! the Intoxicating atmosphere which en-
4 yelops him. A master of ceremonies
goes before the Pope with wand, t
which is attached a vase containing
burning tow, crying out from time t
time, Sic transit gloria mundi' CThu'
/ passeth away the glory of the world
| Il am sure, however, that the humble
| Pontiff did not need this reminder, MOI
was he elated or dazzled at the splen
| dor of the pageant; but, like his mas
| ter who wept on entering in triumph
| the city of Jerusalem, Plus was over.
| whelmed by the contemplation of the
heavy cross he was destined to beal
| through life. His was the only hear
unmoved among the $4,000 spectators
assembled to honor him.
What a commentary is all this or
the vanity of human glory How elo-
| quently it proclaims the truth that Goo
alone is great, and that no honor car
satisfy mans ambition but that which
| is eternal" f