The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-20

Its consideration engaged with the
Vatican and Quirinal; faith alone was
Impossible TO effect Its solution.
Detection of France and Portugal.
The socialism Of Italy soon became
obscured In the greater troubles Of the
Gallican church. II is uncertain to
what extent this disturbance was In
the hands OF the Pontiff. II has been
frequently limited that the initial re-
sponslbility must rest upon the ambl-
ton OF one of the younger OF the Car
dinals OF the Curia- Such secrets are
well kept; the truth will probably never
come out But In the end the Concordat
ceased to exist, various laws were
passed by France which humbled the
Church to a position which II had not
occupied since the days Of Charlemagne.
destroyed the last vestige OF perslstlng
hope that with the aid of the eldest
daughter OF the Church" Rome might
reenter upon its temporalities In the
peninsula.
This loss was followed in a few years
by the detection OF republican Portu-
gal. Thus on two sides tho faith OF
Spain has been attacked, and the spread
of modernism IL weakening influence
within.
A far more satisfactory view Is pre-
sented when the review turns to this
country. In the certificates OF Plus
TX. and Leo XIII. but one Cardinal
was credited TO the United States and
the land remained a missionary turls-
diction. Plus X. raised 1t to the higher
position which placed II as a province
on an equal footing with the other
provinces of the Church. This step
forward was followed In 1911 by the
creation Of three additional Cardinals.
two residentiary and one summoned 20
a position near the Curia.
The last great administrative act OF
his pontiiicate was the consistory held
on May 25 He then created thirteen
new Cardinals and brought the number
Of the Sacred College to Sc. Of whom
half are Italian and half foreigners.
With a vision clearly directed upon the
conclave which should follow his death
he broke through an ancient custom.
This Is the first time in more than 500
years that the Italians have not had
majority OF the membership.
In the last months OF his life, when
wars confiagratlon seemed about TO en-
velop the world. the Pope agonized for
peace. for the peace of God which pass
eth all understanding. His allocution
before the last consistory said:
Men OF distinction are planning
for their nations and for humanity
schemes for preventing the calami-
ties of revolutions and the slaughter
OF war. and for insuring the bless
ings OF peace.
This is a noble project, but their
schemes will bear little fruit unless
they insure that the precepts OF JUS
tice and Christian charity take deep
root In the hearts of mem
In these last days he rose 10 the
serenity Of the apostle TO all men re-
CARELESS Of creed. Emperor Francis Jo-
seph had asked the Pope's blessing on
his men at war; the Pope could only
reply that all the belligerents are equal
~ his children and consequently he
was unable 10 invoke the divine bless
ing on or intercede for the triumph OF
any particular nation, but that he was
praying fervently for peace.
The uontiiicnte just ended Is but one
| more campaign IN the enduring combat
of faith and unfalth. The combatants
| may not measure the way the battle
| goes. II may be that seeming loss is
| making In the great plan toward VIC
| tory. All that merely human com
| prehension may discern is that Plus
| X bore his cross with such strength
as was given to him, that the mark
he left upon his time will show his
zeal for the correction OF error and
tho restoration OF the simple faith OF
| the fathers.
Broken by the struggle, worn by age
| he has gone TO his appointed place
\ still figure lies In the Vatican An
other Pontff has gone, the 'ignis ar
| dens' Of ST. Malachy's prophecy has
| buraed blue and illckercd out The
| Cardinal Camerlerro has tapped lightly
with his ivory Epmner three times
on the brow still "a ro pall!d. three
| times h" has called the name Giu.
seppe Mclch!orc ana called In vain
Plus X. has passed, the peasant clay re-
mains.