Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-02-17

THE ARCHBISHOP is of particular interest
to Pennsylvanians that he received part of
his early education at St. Vincent's Seminary
at Beatty, in Westmoreland County.
Ordained TO the priesthood only 20 years
ago he is today the youngest Archbishop in
America, if not in the world, and stands in
direct line for the red hat of a Cardinal. He
is 43 years old, and has received many of his
very high and very numerous honors at an
exceptionally early age in each instance. He
was the youngest man to receive diploma
from Manhattan College. At the age of 81 he
was the youngest bishop in the United States
Force Of character and democratic principles
and practice strongly evident in the
career of the Archbishop.
His Americanism dates back several gem
eratons. His grandfather, he is proud to
say, answered Lincoln's first call for volun-
teers and gave his life for the country in one
of the first battles of the Civil War George
W. Mundelein was born the upper East
Side of New York city in 1872. At school he
was brilliant pupil. He was offered a cadet
ship at Annapolis, but the call of the church
had entered into his soul. and he entered
Manhattan College to study for the priest
hood In 1889 he was ready for ordination
but was only Il years old, and, therefore, too
young. He continued his studies and in 1892
was sent ny blSnOp McDOnnell 10 the Urban
College of the Propaganda at Rome. Return
ing TO America he took charge of a parish
in Brooklyn. Honors came to him rapidly
Chancellor of the Diocese of Brooklyn mon
signor and domestic preIate to the Pope,
auxiliary bishop-these appointments tell but
a small part of the story. lie is, by the way
the only American censor of the IiturgicaI
Academy, and the only American member of
the Academy of the Arcadia, which is a very
ancient and exclusive association of learned
men specially interested in fine literature and
in purity of language.
Archbishop as an Artist
He is man Of conspicuous ability and tai
ent in number of directions AS priest, as
chancellor and as bishop he has proven him
self an able financier and a keen man of busi-
ness prominent banker once remarked:
That mans talents viii be wasted as a
bishop. He ought to have been a bank presi-
dent" But the Archbishop is also an artist to
his finger tips with unerrng taste and pro-
found love for the beautiful In Brooklyn
he built the Queen of All Saints Church,
which has been called the most perfect gem
of pure Gothic architecture in America Its
fourteen windows OF mosaic coIored glass
are hardly to be equaled on this side of the
Atlantic. They contain the Bible story in 26o
panels. The whole church was designed by
Bishop Mundelein, who also selected the sub
jects for the windows and did much Of the
work of designing This pile of lacelike stone
and gorgeous glass is a monument to his
genius as an artist.
The Archbishop is a very forceful speaker,
and his remarks always attract attention be-
cause of their originality and aggressiveness.
A profound scholar, he is deeply read in the
literature Of many lands, and is able TO con-
verse freely in at least five languages He
has been called militant. A few years ago
a certain rich and influential politician quar-
relied with priest and stirred up a good deal
Of trouble in the parish The trustees were
holding a meeting TO consider the removal OF
the pastor when Bishop Mundelein appeared.
The politician was there, though not trus-
tee. The Bishop asked him what ne wanted.
ana when the politician responded with dis
play Of confidence IN his own powers the
Bishop told him 10 leave the room. The poll
ticlan baked The Bishop rose slowly from