The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-08-02
TREND OF THOUGHT
 ALONG PATHS LITERARY

The ops man of whom has been made unusual mention, by the press, secular and religious. during the last two weeks, has been the Pope. The Churchman, the man. the character of the man, mas peen ; the international subject or remark. rms se:ms hut fair appreciatton-for the Pope was ever an eager reader or the news papers-taking keen interest, at all times in public affairs. Some doubt that the death of a Pope is of worldwide im- portance; but when we remember that in all lands the news of the death of Pope Leo carried sadness into many homes, we realize that 1t means much. The Pope is the recognized head of a church. which includes many races, lands and languages, numbering two hundred millions; and his departure affects vast multitude of people. While the Protes- tant world can take no part in the hom- mage paid to a ''potentate over the church of God"-the demeanor of this mild and gentle man. has been such as to cause the whole world to look upon him as a simple, faithful Christian; and the atten- tion of humanity has been upon the vati- can. where the man of such strong per- eonality lay dying. The ecclesiastical differences have not separated the Chris tian world from a human sympathy In the struggle which all men must make with death Also, the world has observed with tense-nerve, the spectacle of the inevitable victory of death over an in flexible will, and a mind of notable ac- complishment It has taken note of the passing into the veil'' of the man of ex- tended views, of statesmanlike judgment 1.-the poet, the scholar, the priest, and Neaving behind him a silence--save what he has said and done.
 ! Pope Leo XIII has been an influence upon the period in which he lived; and distinguished for personal goodness has been the general acknowledgement.
 ''The Catholic Universe" in comment ing upon the uncommon sympathy ex- pressed in the tributes of the secular press makes this just statement: There is a certain compusion In the worlds admi- ration for Leo XIII. Men cannot help iadmiring him. They may quarrel with 4iis authority or his doctrines, his socio- dogy or his Latin hexamters, as the case may be, but they can find no quarrel with his life. They may not understand his benefits but they cannot fail to under stand his virtues" The Universe further states the accepted truth of good ness-"A good life is its own interpreta- tion. It speaks for itself, with sym plicity and directness that need no ex- planation. In everything else men may differ and find perplexityEbut of personal goodness there are no two oEinions. Its appeal is universal and irresistible. It is the supreme argumentum ad hominem the logic that alone carries conviction to the masses"
 The Cincinnati Posts remarks of him that All the power stored in his frail body was for peace" seems to be the his humane instincts. The Post adds, 'sIIe was always against wars and their accompaniment of bloodshed and suffer- ing-also making further note that when ga monarch, fired by unholy ambition, de- sired to subdue a nation he found his way blocked by this old man. who has just been gathered to his fathers.
 The Press of Cleveland, calls him a world lover; and remarks that he loved his flock and loved humanity.
 The Plaindealer asserts that history will know him as Leo the Beloved"
 The New York Sun thinks that his per- sonal and priestly qualities, his purity of 2 life. his kindness of heart, his Christian faith, aroused the veneration of non Catholics, and even of non-Christians."
 The Central Presbyterian of Richmond writes of him. Shut up for twenty-five years in the walls of the vatican he has affection of his great following. as he has grown largely in the esteem of the world"
 Individuals also, we are reminded paid tribute to the quality of goodness of tho man. One man has said, His all-em bracing charity. had won for him univer sal admiration" Gladstone is recorded ar saying that he was "a power of good ness"
 To one who sees more than is said 1T a line, the remark of the great painter Chartran, who made the familiar portrai of Leo at prayer. is perhaps the mos significant that will be read: "The pro found admiration which I had for tn, sovereign Pontiff was changed when was admitted to intimacy with him, to