The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1914-08-29
THE PASSING OF THE TENTH
PITS

Plus
The public press throughout the
country has, practically without ex-
ception, been most generous in it's
praise of the late Pope Plus the
Tenth. 1t is very significant that, in
the midst of the awful conflict in
Europe the minds and hearts Of
Christendom should turn and with
bowed and reverend heads pay trib-
ute to the successor of Peter. The
character of the Roman Pontificate
has been the subject of eulogy
throughout the country and the
memory of its late representative has
been the recipient of many we'll paid
and deserving tributes. We are re-
minded that the glowing and fervid
tributes paid to the Pope by Lord
McCaullay has been substantiated in
our own times by many sincere
Christian and scholar, who. knowing
the character of the Tenth Plus, gave
vent to his feelings in expressing the
marvellous vitality of the Catholic
Church represented through the vi
car of Christ upon earth.
The election of successor and
the memory of the deceased Pontiff
have divided the attention of the
faithful throughout the world. Their
constant prayer is that Divine Provi-
dence will perpetuate in lasting glory
the monumental works undertaken
by the last occupant Of the chair of
Peter and that the same Divine
Providence will guide the delibera-
tions of those who are charged with
the election of successor. The
seriousness of the awful conflict that
now engages the attention of the
world and whose attendant dangers
and distreses no one saw so clearly as
did Pope Plus the Tenth, has thrown
the world into such an abnormal
state of mind and Europe into such a
feverish temperament that the ques-
ton of successor Of Peter is most
trying and important one in this
great worlds crisis. That it is i'm
portant to the papacy that no further
evidence is necessary to establish its
importunate and its awful conse-
quences than the fact Of it's weigh
ing so heavily upon the mind and
heart of Plus the Tenth. 1t is true
that there are few, indeed, whose
hearts would we'll up at the sight Of
suffering humanity so much as would
the heart of Plus the Tenth. This
but emphasized the seriousness of
the situation; the effect of Europe at
war, the lamentable prospect of
never-ending conflict; the presence
within our human natures of the de-
sire to lend to barbarism; the lack of
influence of those who are better
guided in their desires for the ways
of peace. In viewing the conflict no
doubt it seemed in the mind of Plus
that the loss of Christian influence
and the veneer of our civilization
made him despair of the efficacy of
anything but return to the fold of
the Catholic Church of nations that
are engaged, and in placing at their
heads Catholic leaders Influenced by
the desire of his own motto ITO re-
store all things in Christ" The lack
of ability to do this, the remote dis
lance of any prospect and the sight
of man against his fellow; neighbor
grasping at the throat Of neighbor,
was too much for the peaceful spirit
and sanity mind of the Tenth Plus.
The tragedy Of Europe at arms has
been emphasized by the tragedy of
the passing of the ruler of Christen-
dom, because of the conflict. He has
earned the repose which he seemed
to think the Divine Master intended
for him rather than spare him to &C
quaint his mind with the agonies of
Europe's conflict. So passed to his
reward, he whose life was an exam
pie of peace and good will toward
men and whose death was a protest
to all that oppose THE RESTORA-
TION OF ALL THINGS IN CHRIST.
THEIR OWN ADVISORS.