The Washington times., 1914-08-19
1a.t, Patience, and Kindly
Manner Made Him Conquer
or of Vicissitudes.

Pope Plus X was born Joseph Sar-
60. at Riese. near Venice, June 2, 1885.
He Was the child of poor peasants.
He rose to q station considered by
millions of people the most exalted
in the world. Talent displayed at an
early age aid developed to an ex-
traordinary degree. deep piety. broad
human sympathy, and tireless energy.
brought about his marvellous success.
All his life he held the love OF his
fellow men He was the Pope Of
the Poor"
His grandfather was a soldier In
the papal army under Gregory XVI
his father worked IN the fields, and,
as communal carrier. struggled to
maintain with his mesger income the
large family of two sons and six
daughters. A small cottage was the
birthplace Of the Pope. He attended
the parish school at Riese. His ap-
titude induced the family to send him
to q school at Castelfranco. seven
miles from home. To meet the ex-
pense his father labored even more
hours daily than had been his lot
The boy walked the long route to
school He was a faithful student,
and by winning laurels justified the
ri1ces to further his education.
Precious documents still preserved
by his sisters are the certificates set
ting forth his eminence In the entire
range OF studies. They were especial
ly proud Of his proficiency in Latin
Joseph won a scholarship which en-
abled him to enter the seminary of
Trevtso and afterward that of Padua.
OF theology. In 1883, when twenty
Lhree yHars OF age. he was ordained
O priest.
Concern For Poor.
From the first his greatest concern
was for the poor among his parishioners.
be barely allowed himself necessary
food, and even sold his horse, that the
pSsefeds might be used to relieve the
condition of the unfortunate. On one
occasion he gave away his own dinner.
poor man came TO say that his wife
was i'll, the doctor had said she must
have broth, and he had not the means
10 provide 1t Meat was boiling in a |
pot for Father Sarto's dinner, and, |
without hesitation, he gave IL to the
man. Reproved by his sister he answer |
ed that the mans need was great, and |
there was nothing to do but give him |
the food. 1Los he smiled benignly and ]
assured her mat the Lord would pro- |
vide for unein.
Until he was thirty-one he was en-
ployed as a country curate. IN 1867 he /
was appointed pai ,sh priest OF Salzano |
There he wa<zed faithfully for eight |
years and won the attention of those |
higher in authority, by the tact and /
devotion ni:h which he discharged his |
parish duties. He was made a canon Of |
%he cathedral, chancellor of the diocese 1
and the spiritual director of the coll
lege. Thereafter he became dean of the 1
chapter, served in an interregnum as
vicar general and was appointed suf-
tragaD-
Created Bishop.
In 1852 he passed to the diocese OF |
Aantua, where for two years he was
rector Of the seminary. He attracted !
the attention of Leo XIII, who, in 1884, |
created him bishop of that city. The
diocese was at that time In a condition
Of ferment. There had been continued
elashing between the episcopal and gov
Gament authority. and there was in the
field q strong political force opposed
70 the church. The tact, patience and
the kindly manner OF the bishop har-
monized these conflicting interests. The !,
diocese Of Mantua, which had been
noted for its turbulence, became a
model, and other bishops were exhorted |
10 bring theirs 10 as high a standard.
ON June u, 1885, he was created n
cardinal and three days later patriarch
OF Venice. Disturbed conditions, due
10 atheistic agitation that mad long .x
listed in Venice, soon yielded to The
kindly but effective influence of the
new patriarch AS before he labored
and made sacrifices to better the con-
sition Of the very poor. His househoId
was maintained in simple style and ali
his income above these most necessary
expenses was devoted to the penniIess.
Utterly unable 10 resist the appals Of
deserving poor he even pledged mis-
magnificent episcopal ring, the gift of
friends, and devoted the money to 1
charity. His sisters, who managed the
nousehold, expostulated with him for
making extreme sacrifices, but with a :
smile ne answered that the poor must
be provided for and that he had no .
need for money.
Interested In Workingmen.
He encouraged the formation of CO.
operative societies and benevolent a,-
soctations, and interested himself in the 4
cause OF the workingmen 1t WAS
through his Intervention that a serious {
strike OF cigarmakers was brought To a
conclusion. He was tactfuI ,
n dealing with the government officials
md thus, while he fulfilled his churchIv I
iuttes with the highest efficiency, he 9
the respect ard admiration 8
,f all men. They speak of him as The !
pest administrator Venice had in 1n0
lea:s. TWO OF his sisters attended to mis-
household. Another Is the wife Of a
Three sisters are in a
lobster. His brother is a rural mail
,arrier.
When the patriarch left Ventce IN .t ,
end the conclaye called to elect the
ead OF the church the people hailed him !
Is the next Pope. he remonstraTeJ :
With them, saying that such an event {
vas beyond the range of possfbiIIries 1
n the cOnclave he was urged for the
Ugh office, but he put aside those who
their support and beggeC' tbat I
hey find another candidate When The I :
,allots began to turn strongly his wav :
Ie became his own most strenuous on
,onent He took the floor to entres, l
ne Sacred College to desist from tn
dea Of electing him, and stroye TO SHOW +,
herein he lacked the qualifications
necessary to equip him to occupy the
EpRI hrcns. But his words had a con- /
rsry effect. 1
Own Dignity Elects Him. Il
In the dignity. the humility, and the }
reat breadth Of learning disclosed I'm
hese DISCOURSE the patriarch stood be. d
ore his colleagues as the one man TO Z
e placed at the sead of the church. I
lie was chosen UrI the sixth ballot
One OF the first private audiencez
ranted by him as Pope was TO the
layo- and other municipal OFFICIALS of q
.iese. In mis- first public audience he
eceived a band OF pilgrims from the
nited States, led by Cardinal Gibbons g
,e retained his frugal manner of living L
nd his habit as a tremendous worker
e followed almost without exception