New Britain herald., 1926-01-23
Cardinal Mercier Dying Ciiues
 Blessings To Those h Family
 End Comes Early M Afternoon
Prelate Refuses All Medi- cine, Saying "There Is Nothing to Do But Wait,' as His Life Slow ly Ebbs-Was 74 and Heroic Figure in World War.

one of the heroic figures of the World war, died today at the age Of "A, losing his long battle against the decline that set in after an operation on December 29.
 At two o'clock this afternoon the aged prelate lapsed into uncon- sciousness while mass was being said in the sick room. He started to pronounce the benedicton, but was 10 weak to conclude 1t.
 Death came at three o'clock this afternoon.
 Blesses His Family
 At midday the cardinals 'rela- tives gathered around his bedside, and in spite Of great weakness he gave his blessing to each in turn. IL was stated that the newspaper men would be received at 200 p. m, but 1t was feared death might come at any moment.
 pr. Vanhee, the cardinals phy- sician, described his patient as a model of patience, modesty and Christian self denial.
 Far from complaining when he has been suffering" the physician said. This eminence has been happy to endure physical pain, as he then has said to himself that he feels nearest Christ. whose sufter- tngs have always been present ir his mind"
 Cardinal Mercier bade farewell to his relatives at mass said at hi, bedside.
 Follows Mass With Composure . In full possession of his facultie the cardinal followed the mas with composure, making the sig of the cross with effort.
 At the moment of the Agnus De' with its supplication to the Lam of God, who takest away the sin of the world, 10 give him peace the prelate inclined his head as
 token to peaceful leave to tnos around him. When the mass ende
 he turned toward the company q
 the bedside with a significant loo
 of farewell.
 The mass was celebrated by
 nephew. the Rev. Joseph Merciel
 assisted by another nephew, tn
 Rev. Charles Jean Mercier, profes
 sor of philosophy at Notre Damt
 South Bend, Ind The cardinal
 sister-in-law and physician als
 were present.
 After mass his physicians fe
 the prelate's pulse, which wa
 gradually growing weaker, and d.
 cidcd that the cardinal could harc
 ly last beyond midday.
 The prelate refused all medicir but retained complete lucidity { life cbbed slowly away. There is nothing 10 do bI wait" he remarked to his phys clan.
 Life History of Mcrcier Desire Nj, cier, Cardinal of Mi ; lines. Prince of the Church ar Apostle of Peace" was one of Il ,mc,t striking figures brought pron . inently before the world by the mo ruthless war O. all times. Little known outside of Natict ] circles or beyond the borders Q Belgium prior 10 1914, his mode! r Unassuming prelate WIS hs famo before the world on Armirtice D. .. as were the royal heads of hellige
 "nt states or the illustriops genera s who led the allied armies 10 victor 0 The role played by Cardinal Me d cier was one of the outstanling fe s lures of the World War Althoui t hailed as the Apostle of PeaC d throughout the civilized world, n demonstrated early in the gre Q struggle | at he also was a fighter q inc fir magnitud when conyinc s that his cause was imbucd wi l. righteousness.
 t He was in Rome when news ; h rived that Belgium-his native Ia S. had been stricken to earth by l. mighty German advance, Cutti Ie short the formalitles which usua
 attend the departure of a hi
 church dignitary from the Natic; t. he hastened back 10 Brussels, w. l. ed aside prcliu inaries and pre- 10 dent: exhorted his people to res 10 '1- invasion with all the streni " md determination al their GO S. r,and, denounced the Germans fr l. pulpit and palace. and from 1T l. cn continued as one of the most f D. ridablo and dangerous thorns 10 the side of enemy military Nutht lf ties who were endeavoring to sh; ,d the ic.iinies of conquered BelEi st 10 the best advantag Of victori Ie Berlin.
 Dcfied Invaders n- On countess occasions his co ar crlc"s attitude in dcfyinG the at vaders evoked admiration throu nc out the world. His devotion 10 ut subjected populace throuEnout as five most frightful years in BelG in history never faltered Cor tho br an est moment. even under pressure nr threats ard coer,1on hcspeaking 70 Hence and death 10 himself, Ba
 von BissinC. the German gover ho general Of Belgium. who ruled c lis .., io (Continued on Page 1T) a ----