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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..da51ccc --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #56299 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/56299) diff --git a/old/56299-0.txt b/old/56299-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index c2618a9..0000000 --- a/old/56299-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3823 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, From Convent to Conflict, by Sister Marie -Antoine - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - - -Title: From Convent to Conflict - A Nun's Account of the Invasion of Belgium - - -Author: Sister Marie Antoine - - - -Release Date: January 3, 2018 [eBook #56299] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FROM CONVENT TO CONFLICT*** - - -E-text prepared by the Online Distributed Proofreading Team -(http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by -Internet Archive (https://archive.org) - - - -Note: Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive. See - https://archive.org/details/fromconventtocon00mari - - - - - -FROM CONVENT TO CONFLICT - -Or - -A Nun’S Account of the Invasion of Belgium - -by - -SISTER M. ANTONIA - -Convent des Filles de Marie, Willebroeck, -Province of Antwerp, -Belgium - - - - - - -[Illustration] - -John Murphy Company -Publishers -200 W Lombard St. Baltimore, Md - -Copyright 1916 by -John Murphy Company - -Press of John Murphy Company, Baltimore - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - Introduction - - -The publication of this little volume has for its object a better -understanding of actual conditions, immediately following the invasion -of a hostile army. The hope is indulged that the harrowing scenes -witnessed by the author in Belgium, after the German invasion in 1914, -may induce our own countrymen and women to more fully appreciate the -blessings of peace. The events narrated are set forth as actually -occurring, and—“with malice to none, with charity for all.” - -Any profits derived from its favorable reception by the reading public -or the charitably inclined are to be devoted to the reconstruction and -repair of our school and convent, damaged during the engagement at the -Fortress of Willebroeck, or for the establishment of a sewing school, -with a lace-making department, for young women in America or England, as -our Reverend Superiors may decide. - -Any assistance in this charitable work will be gratefully appreciated by -the author and her scattered community in Belgium, England and Holland. - - SISTER M. ANTONIA. - - Skaneateles, New York, - April 3rd, 1916. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - Letter of Introduction - - -La Supérieure du Couvent des Filles de Marie a Willebroeck, Province -d’Anvers, en Belgique déclare par la présente que ses soeurs Marie -Antoine et Marie Cecile sont envoyées aux Extats Unis, a fin d’examiner -s’il y aurait noyen d’y établir une colonie de Filles de Marie; elle -donne a Soeur M. Antoine le Pouvoir d’agir en son nom afin de prendre -les mesures nécessaires a cet effet. - - SOEUR M. BERCHMANS. - - Willebroeck, 29 September, 1914. - -Apprové: - - D. J. CARD. MERCIER, Arch. de Malines - - TRANSLATION. - -The Superior of the Convent of the Daughters of Mary, Willebroeck, -Province of Antwerp, Belgium, state by this present (letter) that the -Sisters Mary Antonia and Mary Cecilia are sent to the United States in -order to examine if there are means of establishing a colony (mission) -of the Daughters of Mary there; she gives to Sister M. Antonia the power -to act in her name as to taking the measures necessary to this effect. - - SISTER M. BERCHMANS. - - Willebroeck, 29 September, 1914. - -Approved: - - D. J. CARD. MERCIER, Arch. de Malines. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - Contents - - - _Page_ - INTRODUCTION 3 - LETTER OF INTRODUCTION 5 - CHAP. I — The Boarding School 9 - CHAP. II — Daily School Life 17 - CHAP. III — The Parochial School, Convent and - Garden 26 - CHAP. IV — The Cloister 38 - CHAP. V — The Approaching Storm 46 - CHAP. VI — Changes 51 - CHAP. VII — War 59 - CHAP. VIII — The Carnage of Battle 66 - CHAP. IX — The Return of the Army 80 - CHAP. X — Anxious Days 90 - CHAP. XI — The Flight of the Refugees 98 - CHAP. XII — The Results of War 109 - CHAP. XIII — Our Departure 116 - CHAP. XIV — Arrival in Antwerp 126 - CHAP. XV — Extracts from Letters of Our Refugee - Sisters 134 - CHAP. XVI — The Exodus to England 142 - CHAP. XVII — London and Leeds 150 - CHAP. XVIII — The Refugees in England 157 - CHAP. XIX — Homeward Bound 174 - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER I. - - BOARDING SCHOOL IN THE COUVENT DES - FILLES DE MARIE, WILLEBROECK, - PROV. D’ANVERS, BELGIQUE, - JULY, 1914. - - -A merry group of Convent girls, in charge of Sister guardian, was seated -in the shade of a huge old pear tree, discussing the joys and -expectations of the approaching summer vacation. High are the walls -enclosing this ancient cloister, and many are the gay young hearts -protected and developed within its shady precincts. - -Bright are the faces and happy the hearts of more than one hundred young -girls on this midsummer day in the memorable year 1914. They are now -enjoying the morning air in the playground, having just returned from -their usual walk in the garden. The weather is somewhat oppressive; but -as time is precious in boarding school, every one has something to do. -One is crocheting; another is finishing a piece of Irish lace; still -another is reviewing an article in a certain newspaper, as it is her -task to make a summary for that evening’s meeting of the Study Circle. - -Joy, unalloyed by the experience of care or sorrow, is written on the -face of every child. It is only one week before the annual distribution -of prizes, the subsequent close of the school year, and a speedy family -reunion. - -It is eight o’clock. The sign is given, and instantly a hundred -busy-bodies become still and serious. Not another word is spoken as the -preceptress conducts the long line through the large playroom, over the -small yard, and into the various classrooms. - -The young ladies, aged from fifteen to twenty, proceed at once to the -sewing department. This is to them the most important and interesting of -all the rooms; needlework being a predominant feature in the education -of all young Belgian women. After prayer, work begins. Some are cutting -patterns; others are putting pretty lace collars on those suits which -must serve for the reception of diplomas; and a few of the more -diligent, who have completed the term’s work, are now finishing some -lace or embroidery; while a cheery little canary is singing to the -doubtful harmony of twenty sewing machines. - -At the desk sits the patient and zealous teacher, Sister M. Alphonse, -assisted in her work by two young novices. She is, perhaps, the most -widely known and respected seamstress in all the province. For years her -gold embroidery has sparkled on flags and banners; for years her -skillful fingers have adorned the vestments that beautified God’s altar -in many churches of the diocese. Sister M. Alphonse knows the secret of -winning the confidence of her pupils, and it is interesting to see how -they crowd around her to reveal their little joys and sorrows and obtain -advice in the various necessities of a long and busy school year. - -On leaving the sewing-room, the visitor proceeds to the other -departments. On all sides order and discipline prevail. The -stone-floored halls are spotlessly clean. Pretty mosaic figures attract -the eye and give a quaint appearance to those ancient corridors. The -walls are very high, the rooms spacious, the windows long and broad, -thus capable of admitting an abundance of air, light and sunshine. The -wooden floors of the classrooms are often scrubbed and strewn with fine -white sand from the seashore. - -Sad is the lot of any poor child who might have the misfortune to upset -an inkstand. You would find her on her knees rubbing the stain with soap -and scraping it with a piece of glass until every vestige of ink -disappears. If you tell her to be more careful in future, she will -laughingly reply: “Schuren is toch zoo aangenaam” (scrubbing is so -pleasant). - -In passing from one room to another, one notices the zeal and energy of -both pupils and teachers. So busy are they, and so diligently are the -hours employed, that the long school day, from eight o’clock in the -morning until seven in the evening, fleets quickly away. The desks are -stiff, and hard, and heavy; but no one complains. The young Belgian -women are devoted to their country and its customs; and if one were told -that in another country more comfortable desks were provided, she would -answer candidly, “Wij blijven liever in ons vaderland” (We would rather -remain in our _own_ country.) - -The climate of Belgium is temperate, though more inclined to be cool -than warm. The ground is very moist in some places. Never have we -experienced the extremes of heat and cold found in America. Very heavy -rains, accompanied by lightning and deafening peals of thunder, occur in -the summer. There is little snow in the winter. In some parts of the -country the grass is emerald green all year long. Rosebuds are seen on -the bushes in January, and sometimes the trees are budding in February. - -The stoves in Belgium are far inferior to those in America. Kitchen -ranges are not used to bake bread. Those who do not possess stone or -steam ovens, are obliged to buy bread daily at the baker’s. - -When accustomed to the cool, invigorating climate of Belgium, a great -contrast is experienced in visiting America, and one feels more or less -in danger of suffocation during a journey in an overheated railroad car, -or a few hours spent in the rooms of our American homes. - -Most of the people in Belgium are early risers; and if, by chance, you -happen to visit any of her cities at dawn of day, you will find her -churches full to overflowing with zealous Christians, who, like their -time-honored forefathers, offer the first fruits of the day to God, the -giver of every good. The churches are numerous, large and beautiful, and -multitudes of worshipers are in daily attendance. Men and women of the -higher class attired in robes of broadcloth; poor peasant women, with -little shawls or kerchiefs covering their heads and shoulders; -blue-eyed, fair-faced children, and the aged; whose bent forms and -tottering steps show that they are nearing the end of life’s journey; -all assemble in the early morning seeking mercy, peace and comfort at -the Throne of Grace. We can imagine the effect of this morning’s -devotion, especially consoling to the poor, who, in their heavy -“blokken” (wooden shoes) toil, day in and day out, all year long, for a -small compensation, insufficient for the comfort of their families. - -As are the parents, so are the children; particularly in the -boarding-school, where the rules and regulations necessitate strict -discipline. Shortly before or after five o’clock in the morning, every -child is up, unless some one is ill, who, for the time, is excused from -rising. After dressing, a sign is given and all descend in strict -silence to the chapel for morning prayer and the holy sacrifice of the -Mass. After morning devotions they go to the refectory, where a -bounteous supply of “botterham” (bread and butter) and strong coffee is -served. Breakfast is eaten in silence, except on special festivals. - -Needless to say that a great amount of tact is necessary on the part of -the monitor to keep one hundred little tongues within their ivory walls -until the signal is given to go to the playground. - -Here we found them at the beginning of our narrative; here we shall find -them again at half-past nine, at twelve, after four-o’clock lunch, and -after supper; in the summer evenings. In winter the time of recreation -is spent in the reception hall of the boarding-school. At eight o’clock -the school day ends, and all advance in strict silence to the -dormitories to enjoy the peaceful slumber which health and youth -affords. - -The dormitories are four in number. Each child has a separate alcove. -Several Sisters are in attendance during the night. In case of illness, -a child is immediately removed to another apartment. - -To these general rules and regulations there are exceptions on Sundays -and special festivals during the year. On those days special devotional -exercises take place in the morning, the afternoon being assigned to the -practicing of hymns and sacred music. When the weather is fine, the -recesses are longer, and pleasant walks may be enjoyed in the garden. -One Sunday in the month, called “Visiting Day,” is at the disposal of -parents and visitors, who are permitted to call upon the children. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - DAILY SCHOOL LIFE. - - -Every Tuesday afternoon, from one until about four o’clock, all the -boarders, except the little ones, dressed in full uniform, go forth for -a long walk with their teachers. They usually visit churches, shrines, -or places of particular interest, thus developing the spiritual, mental -and physical powers of the body. - -The uniform is quite becoming and attractive. It consists of a neat -black dress, without showy trimmings or ornaments, black shoes and -stockings, black hat, black silk gloves and necktie, with white sailor -collar and cuffs. Sometimes white blouses, with straw hats, white silk -neckties and gloves are worn. The hair is simply combed back, a part -being taken up and fastened with a black or white bow, while the rest is -braided and fastened again with a bow to match the necktie and gloves. - -A silver chain, bearing the medal of the Immaculate Conception, is worn -by all those belonging to the “Congregation of the Children of Mary.” - -For what might seem monotonous in this manner of dress, we find -sufficient variation in the blond locks, naturally curling around the -forehead, the plump, rosy cheeks, the sparkling eyes and smiling faces -of these gay and guileless children. - -The uniform is not permitted to be of costly fabric, as it must be in -accordance with the means of every pupil. It is the distinguishing mark -of the institution to which the child belongs, and claims for her a -certain respect not due to those dressed in gaudy, striking, -many-colored garb, so often affected by girls and young ladies. - -One of the principal and most beneficial results noticeable from the use -of the uniform suit in the boarding-school is that it destroys the great -inclination on the part of one pupil to surpass another in dress and -personal adornment, thus preventing vanity and arrogance in the one, and -removing the cause of envy, jealousy and distraction in the other. - -What teacher has not remarked, in the ordinary classroom, the scornful -glance on the face of a haughty child, as she regards her poorer -neighbor’s cheap dress, and who has not noticed the seeds of envy -sprouting up in the heart of some poor little creature, so deeply -wounded by the conduct of her affluent companion? There she sits, and, -instead of diligently studying her lesson, that sensitive little soul is -complaining against the All-Wise Providence, which has given to her -neighbor more than to her. Alas! when that child returns home after -school, poor mother must suffer. Her daughter begins to annoy and worry, -tease and complain, until mother also feels the pangs of jealousy; and, -falling into error, denies herself some household necessity in order to -satisfy her discontented child. There are many mothers in the world at -present who are real slaves to the caprices of their daughters in -matters of dress. A pretty uniform in all common day schools would -prevent a great deal of this annoyance to mothers, pupils and teachers. - -Nearly every year since the opening of the sewing and household schools -an exposition is held for about two weeks, in which all suits, lace, -embroidery, painting, mending of clothing, and all other articles made -by the boarders are exhibited. - -Written invitations are sent out to the families and friends of the -Sisters and children. Only those who have received such invitations are -allowed to visit the exposition. - -It sometimes occurs that a dramatic performance is given by the boarders -as an entertainment, wherein the play represents an event of particular -religious or historical interest. In this case, also, only those invited -are permitted to be present. - -Most interesting entertainments, provided by the Convent for the -boarding-school, are the stereopticon views, with lectures given by the -Reverend Professors of the College of Boom, in which are represented and -discussed all the important scenes in and on the route to the Holy Land -by those who have actually visited the scenes and secured the views -themselves. - -Another object of great interest is the “Play of the Birds,” presented -by a French Gentleman, when requested by the Superiors, for the pleasure -and instruction of the pupils. There are several cages of birds of the -smaller kinds. These birds are exactly trained, and, being perfectly -obedient to their master, perform a series of exquisite feats, which -leave a lasting impression on the memory. But the lesson which is -intended to be impressed upon the minds of the pupils is the result -which can be obtained from even the unreasoning creatures around us, by -the unceasing, unwavering influence of a loving, gentle, patient and -persevering character. - -When the children had entered the classroom in the morning, the monitor -stood for a moment and glanced around to see if the yard was in order. -Her eye fell upon a paper forgotten by one of the pupils. She opened it -and saw the portraits of the murdered Crown Prince and his noble -consort, of Austria-Hungary, little recking the awful import of that -heinous crime to her own fair country. - -Was it the heat, or was it the harbinger of coming woe? A feeling of -sadness so seldom experienced in the life of a zealous religious took -possession of the Sister and carried her for the moment beyond her -Convent walls, far away to the battlefield of life, where Pride, -Ambition and Materialism, like unto monstrous autocrats, wage war -against the human race. A moment she pauses while her heart exclaims, -“Sursum Corda” (Lift up the hearts). - -“One day in Thy house, O Lord, is better than thousands in the dwellings -of sinners.” - -She glanced around the yard and went slowly to her room. - -From the window could be seen the sunny, cloudless sky, the trees laden -with ripening fruit, and far away those fertile, well-tilled fields in -which, perhaps, there never had been raised before, a more plentiful or -luxuriant crop of wheat and barley. Who could have ever thought that -within a few short weeks that same, sunny sky would be raining -death-dealing bombs upon the innocent inhabitants of a peace-loving -nation, while her crops, over-ripe for the harvest, were being trampled -under foot and her plains and meadows deluged in a sea of blood? - -How strange, how incomprehensible does it not appear to those whose -lives are spent in the abode of sanctity, to witness this ignoble -strife, this worship of mammon, the rise and fall of the victims of -Ambition, along the path of glory leading to the grave? All the wealth -of the world cannot obtain for them the precious pearl of peace, or the -tranquillity of mind possessed by the poorest day laborer in the humble -performance of his allotted task. - -Peace is a hidden manna, unknown to the selfish lover of the world, in -whose heart rages perpetual war. - -On the outer page of a child’s copy book, I observed an illustration -which depicted in a very simple manner the progress of selfish Ambition -as it is found today in every class of society. In the corner of the -page sat a big black spider, intent on catching a little fly which had -lit on a blade of grass. Just above was a greedy little bird, ready to -grasp the spider. At a short distance a vicious-looking old cat crouched -in the grass, ready to spring at the bird. A dog, prowling along the -street, seeing the cat, showed his long teeth and would have sprung at -the cat, had not a little boy approached and begun to worry the dog. In -the distance appears father, with the “rod of correction” in hand, ready -to punish little Fritz for cruelty to animals. - -Thus there is selfish strife in this world of ours, strife from the -cradle to the grave; and no one, however proud, ambitious or arrogant he -may be, who will not, one day, find a master greater than he. Now what -is the object of this never-ending strife? It is simply an insatiable -desire for superiority and self-satisfaction, even if, to obtain the -ends in view, one must trample upon the rights of others. - -Having lost original happiness in the fall of Adam, man has been looking -for it ever since; but the great trouble is that many people look for it -in the wrong direction, and seek it where no happiness is to be found. -They think it consists in the acquisition of fame and glory, in the -possession of wealth, or in a life of ease and luxury; but these things -are as transient as the evening twilight, and uncertain as the shadowy -forms portrayed in the river’s depths. The entire lives of many people -are consumed in a fruitless search after the vain and perishable goods -of the earth. Their years glide away like the sands in an hour-glass; -and, finally they sicken, faint and fall, and their end resembles the -pebbles thrown into the ocean, which for a moment ripple the surface and -lose themselves in its waves. The human soul is as a fathomless sea, -which nothing finite can satisfy. “O God!” cried St. Augustine, “Thou -hast made us for Thyself, and our hearts are ever troubled, ever -agitated, until they find rest in Thee.” - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - THE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL, CONVENT - AND GARDEN. - - -The reverie into which the Sister had fallen was soon interrupted by the -sound of children’s voices in the small playground. Hastily leaving the -room, she went to meet the merry little band of day-scholars who attend -the boarding-school from half-past eight in the morning until six -o’clock in the evening. - -Joyfully the little group of twenty gathers around their mistress. One -presents a flower which mother had given; another, a pretty postcard; -yet another shows a toy or picture-book. A chubby little boy is crying -because he has forgotten his new drum; and thus talking, laughing and -crying, they are placed in line and lead away to the cozy little -classroom whose long, broad windows look out upon the garden, which is -ever green, and the rose bushes near the arbor, which bloom the greater -part of the year, and on whose twigs buds were often seen on New Year’s -Day. - -During the morning session one rosy-cheeked little girl, with long -yellow curls and an apron as white as snow, stood up by her desk and -said, “Sister, there is war in the newspapers. Papa said so this -morning.” All the little heads turned, curious to hear about the war; -and little Charlie took out his box of soldiers and arranged them in -marching order on the desk. The mistress took advantage of the situation -to teach the older pupils the great value of peace and the reward -promised to the peacemakers; “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they -shall be called the children of God.” - -At half-past nine the recess bell rings, and all the pupils proceed once -more to the playground and play tag, or continue their needlework in the -shade of the wide-spreading trees. During certain seasons of the year -all children play “beads,” which is quite similar to a game of marbles. -Happier than a general returning with the spoils of war is the child -who, at the end of the season, can show her companions a string of -large, many-colored beads two or three yards long. - -The swing and the rings are the source of great enjoyment for the -children, and not a little care and anxiety to the Sister on guard, -especially if the ripening fruit hangs on a branch within touching range -of the children’s feet. - -When it freezes hard in the winter, there being no snow on the ground -and no pond nearer than the large garden, a number of the older pupils -pump water and throw it on the stone pavement of the playground, until -the whole becomes as a sheet of glass; and then the exercise of skating -on wooden shoes begins. Needless to say, there is danger of fracturing -more than the pavement when this play begins. - -Sister M. Anastatia has been for about twenty-eight years preceptress in -the boarding-school. She is a small, slight figure, whose very presence -has a kind of magic influence upon all around her. At her entrance and -during her lessons perfect order prevails. Authority and precision, -softened by great kindness of heart, are the distinctive personal traits -of Sister M. Anastatia. She is assisted in her work by several other -Sisters and two lady teachers. - -Among the assistants, no one, perhaps, deserves more credit or gratitude -than Sister M. Cecilia, who for more than twenty-five years has directed -the musical exercises of the Convent and Boarding-school. - -Showing a natural talent for music in her early childhood, and -possessing a fine voice, her own progress in this art has been -remarkable, and her services inestimable as teacher of music and -directress of the choir. She is assisted in her work by Sister M. -Margarita, one of the younger Sisters of the Community. - -The Belgians, like many other European nations, are great lovers of -music. Thus, since a large number of pupils take music lessons, the -monotony of school life is broken by the melody of many instruments and -the sweet harmony of children’s voices. - -There is no place where the influence of soft, sweet music is so -effective as in the church or chapel during devotional exercises. -Nowhere are greater pains taken to develop this art as a branch of -education than in the Convent schools, and nowhere are the results -obtained more gratifying. - -Sister M. Amelia, the only child of the well-known family Le Duc, of -Mechelen, entered the Convent at the age of sixteen, and having -completed the Normal course in St. Nicholas, took charge of one of the -higher departments in the Boarding-school. She teaches French and -Flemish, also drawing, painting and penmanship. The English and German -languages are taught in the higher departments. - -Proceeding from the Boarding-school, the visitor is led around to the -long playground of the Parochial School of Willebroeck. Here between six -and seven hundred girls form the long line which is marching through the -gate of “d’Externat.” Each division is in charge of one or more Sisters, -who conduct the children safely through the street a little beyond the -Post-office. Here the procession breaks up, and the children scatter in -all directions and run on to their homes in the different parts of the -town. - -Scarcely have the Sisters finished dinner, when the throng of pupils are -at the gate again, eager for admittance. See them coming from all -directions, and listen to the clatter of their wooden shoes on the stone -pavement! Truly happy in their child-like simplicity, strong, healthy -and active, they are worthy descendants of a sturdy old race. When the -gate is opened, crowds rush into the yard and begin their games of tag, -jump the rope, hide and seek, etc., just as easily in those hard -“blokken” as their next-door neighbors, the “Pensionnaires” (Boarders), -in fine high-heeled shoes. - -The continual use of wooden shoes is hurtful to the feet. They hinder -the development of natural gracefulness in walking and cause the feet to -become large and very flat. - -Sister M. Stanislas superintends the Parochial School. Though small of -stature and very delicate, she has worked for years in the cause of -education and has become one of the most prominent teachers in the -province. In company with her associates, the assistant teachers, she -attends the conferences, writes articles on education and conference -work, directs the sewing department; in a word, it is greatly due to her -zeal, energy and Christian charity that the Girls’ Catholic School of -Willebroeck has attained as high a standing as the highly paid public -schools of the district. - -On leaving “d’Externat” (parochial school) one enters that part of the -garden especially assigned to the use of the Sisters during recreation. -It adjoins the large garden which is at the service of strangers on -Sundays and visiting days. From the main path, in the middle of the -garden, a fine view can be had of that quaint old Convent, some of whose -buildings have stood there over a hundred years. On the right rises the -new school, containing several large classrooms on one side; and on the -other, the bakery, laundry, free sewing and household schools. At a -short distance from the school is the “Gloriette” (arbor), or summer -house, surrounded by a very beautiful collection of rose bushes, then in -full bloom. There are beds also containing many varieties of flowers, -palms and evergreens. - -In the distance is seen the Convent chapel, with its small belfry. It -seems so insignificant in comparison with the majestic tower of the old -parish church of Willebroeck, which, probably, has weathered the storms -of centuries. - -On the right-hand side of the chapel is found the “Grotto,” or “Shrine -of Our Blessed Lady of Lourdes.” It is here that the children, during -the summer evenings, sing their sweetest hymns; here also that the -Sisters, after a tiresome day’s work, kneel in spirit a few moments at -the feet of their “Holy Mother” and patroness, who gave to the world the -first perfect model of Convent life, when as a child she parted with her -dearly beloved parents, St. Joachim and St. Anna, and entered the Temple -of Jerusalem, where the years of her childhood were passed in work, in -prayer, and in devout communion with the Divine Being, who was “Lord of -the Temple.” - -The number of Religious now in the Convent is fifty. They are Sisters of -the Augustinian Order, bearing the name of Filles de Marie (Daughters of -Mary). The Mother House, wherein reside the Superior General, Rev. -Mother M. Berchmans, and Assistant Superior, Rev. Sister M. Gabrielle, -is, and has been for about fifty years, in the town of Willebroeck, in -the Province of Antwerp, Belgium. - -In this house all the younger Sisters are received, trained, and make -their profession, which consists in the solemn pronunciation of the -three holy vows of religion. - -Many of the younger Sisters complete their normal course for school -teachers during their novitiate. - -The mission houses are Thisselt, Blaesvelt, Aertselaar and Bonheyden. -All the Sisters are Belgians, except one. - -During the last eighteen years five of the members have celebrated the -golden jubilee, or fiftieth anniversary of their entrance into the -Community. One of these, Rev. Mother M. Magdalena, was the sister of the -late well-known and highly esteemed Bishop of Richmond, Va., Rt. Rev. A. -Van de Vyver, D. D. She entered at the age of eighteen and lived -fifty-seven years in the Convent. - -We stood by the death-bed of all these dear old members who had given -the flower and fruit of their long and useful lives to the advance of -education and religion. We observed the peaceful resignation on the -countenance of each dying Sister, and the smile of heavenly joy on her -lips. The death of each one of these was for the Community as the -passing away of a sunbeam. For them it was only a happy transition from -the sorrows of time to the joys of eternity. We gazed on those faces so -pure, so calm, so majestic, even after the spirit had fled, and recalled -the words of Holy Scripture, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord,” -and again, “The death of the just is precious in the sight of the Lord.” - -Besides the above named, there are a number of Sisters in the Convent -who have already celebrated their “Silver Jubilee,” or twenty-fifth -anniversary of their entrance. - -Under the administration of the so-called Liberal party in Belgium, in -the year 1879, the Catholic schools, being deprived of financial -assistance from the Government, were closed. - -A new School Law was passed, and the Crucifix and images of the saints -were prohibited in the schools. Many Catholic teachers resigned. The -clergy and rich Catholic families built schools of their own, which were -supported by gifts. - -Our Community provided schools for the poor children of Willebroeck, and -furnished the classrooms with desks, books and all necessary supplies. -The eight Sisters who taught received only 2,000 francs per year, which -was less than fifty dollars for each Sister, and the predicament of the -Sisters became more or less alarming. Several prominent gentlemen in the -town, among whom was Mr. Erix, the father of our present Sister M. -Aloisia, went around taking up collections for the pressing necessities -of the Community. - -In the year 1866, when the cholera broke out in Willebroeck, three -Sisters went to the hospital; and, without any compensation whatever, -remained with their patients. Later, about the year 1891, the same -disease broke out again. The Liberal Burgomaster, Mr. De Naeyer, being -in great need of assistance, came to the Convent and asked for Sisters -as nurses. Regardless of their past grievances, occasioned by the bitter -opposition of the Liberals to the Catholic schools, eager only to do -good, five strong, able-bodied Sisters, at the request of their -Superior, left the Convent and went to the temporary hospital which had -been hastily erected in the town. - -Here they remained day and night, in the midst of death and disease, at -the bedside of their stricken fellow-creatures until the epidemic -ceased. Strange to say, not one of the Sisters contracted the disease, -although numbers of their patients died each day. - -Only two of those heroines of charity and self-sacrifice now survive: -Sister M. Theresia and Sister M. Perpetua. These two Sisters, feeble and -aged, were obliged to take flight into Holland last September, but have -now returned, with several others, to their Convent home in Willebroeck. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - THE CLOISTER. - - -Proceeding from the little Grotto of Lourdes, where the Sisters kneel in -the evening for their “Drie Wees Gegroeten” (three Hail Marys), one -passes through the large, stone-paved playground, over the small yard, -and enters the corridor leading to the Chapel. - -Passing through the yard, we observe the Novitiate on the left. This may -be considered the preparatory school of religious life. Here no one is -received under the age of twenty-one, without full consent of parents or -guardians. Immediately a regular course of training begins, in which the -duties and obligations of religious life are clearly presented. No -applicant is permitted to take the vows who has not voluntarily -responded to the requirements of the Novitiate. - -Before taking the vows, every postulant, if not satisfied, is perfectly -free to return to her own home. Thus the obligations which bind one to -religious life are not incurred by entering a Convent or taking the -veil, as some people suppose, but by the solemn and voluntary -pronunciation of the vows, which in our Community may not take place -without special dispensation, in less than a year after receiving the -habit. In the Novitiate a Training Class has been established for those -who intend to teach school. If not already graduates, this course is -usually followed by the novice, who later enters the Normal School. - -The experiences of the Novitiate make a life-long impression on the -mind, and are regarded by the religious of more mature years as the -scenes of childhood in the home circle are looked upon by the people of -the world. - -On the right of the hall is seen the large folding door leading to the -Community room of the Sisters. This apartment, especially devoted to the -private use of the “professed members,” is never entered by the -worldling, except with special permission from higher authority, and -then only in case of necessity, as, for instance, a workman, for -necessary repairs. - -Enter then in spirit this earthly paradise and try, if possible, to -comprehend the charm which permeates it. Here we meet rich and poor, old -and young. They call each other “Sister.” They greet in passing with -these words, “Geloofd Zij Jezus Christus” (Praised Be Jesus Christ), to -atone for the profane use of the sacred Name by the vulgar. - -The Sisters are all dressed alike; thus, no vain love of dress, no envy, -no jealousy. They lose no precious time at the dressing table, and no -money is wasted in following the vagaries and follies of every changing -season. Their food is the same (exceptions being made for the sick and -feeble), simple and substantial, neither rich nor dainty. The result is, -as a rule, a measure of health and physical strength unknown in the -circles of society. - -The rules and regulations to which they voluntarily subject themselves -relieve them of all care and encumbrance as to the future. Each member -performs her work as faithfully and diligently as possible; and the good -“All Father” provides. They join each other in prayer and in the -recreation. They assist each other in pain, in sickness and sorrow, and -comfort one another in the hour of death. - -The work of the members is not the same. Each has a special office or -work to perform. - -As the different organs of the body co-operate in preserving life, and -even the smallest screw in the locomotive is necessary to the -accomplishment of its work, so does each member contribute to the -spiritual life and well-being of the Community. - -From this place is banished all that makes life miserable for millions -of people. That is, particularly, the great desire of worldly -possession—having, ever having, and never having enough—also, the -ever-increasing desire and search for pleasure, pastime and -self-satisfaction; but finding only pain, chagrin and remorse; that is, -finally, the insatiable desire for freedom from all bonds and fetters -which sanctify the soul and keep the body in restraint; and while thus -seeking liberty, one finds, as a rule, in himself a most cruel tyrant -for master. - -The Sisters retire at an appointed hour and arise at the first sound of -the bell. They work faithfully and industriously all day long, all year -long, all their lives. - -Their wages are neither gold nor silver. They are the eternal merits -which they know awaits them in a better life. The false and artificial -customs of the world are strangers here. This short and sorrowful life -is looked upon as a pilgrimage in a land of exile, or as the passage of -a train from which the traveler joyfully observes the fleeting objects -along the route, well knowing that every disappearing mile-post reduces -the distance between him and his dearly beloved home. - -The Sisterhood is as a garden of many flowers, where the pure white lily -never loses its beauty, where the red rose of love has made place for -the pure white blossom of Christian Charity; and the fragrant little -violet of humility diffuses incense to the angels who ascend and descend -about the Throne of God. - -People often condole the Religious closed up within the prison walls of -the Convent and forever deprived of the joys and pleasures of the world. -Little they know that within these same walls the heart is as free as -the flight of the bird, while the soul in solitude is in constant -communion with God, whose Divine Presence is felt in the life that -surrounds her. - -She hears His voice in the gentle sigh of the breeze, in the hum of the -bee, in the song of the bird and in the soft murmur of the little -brooklet breaking over the mountainside. His wonderful attributes become -visible to a certain degree in every object around her. She admires His -Divine Providence in the fatherly care which He takes of His creatures. -Even the tiniest insect and the smallest blade of grass show forth the -love, wisdom and the goodness of God. - -The soul in solitude, hidden within the Convent walls, admires the -grandeur and glory of God as manifested in the majestic rising and -setting of the sun, and its influence over all nature. God’s beauty is -seen in the color of the clouds and in the ever-varying tints of the -sky. The fragrance of the flowers reminds her of the odor of sanctity -which a Christian should leave in his wake; and if, as sometimes occurs, -one observes anything which mars the beautiful face of Nature or -disturbs the peaceful course of events, it brings to mind the revolting -sight of a soul in sin and the remorse and confusion it must suffer. - -The wave on the ocean’s breast; those giant rocks on the shore; the -mountains and little hills; the river flowing on to the sea; the moss -and ferns in the wood; in a word, every object in and around proclaim to -the religious the omnipotence and omnipresence of Him who created them. - -The soul detached from the temporal, and seeking only the eternal, -forsakes the creature to find the Creator; and, having found Him, has -found what her heart desired. - -What are, then, the pleasures of earth to those who have tasted the -sweetness of Grace; more delicious than the luxuries of a thousand -worlds? They speak no more of the past, since for them a new and happier -life has begun. With eyes and hearts fixed on heaven, they have -forgotten the earth and, enraptured, cry out: - -“Laetatus sum in his qui dicta sunt mihi; in domum domini ibimus.” (I -was rejoiced at those things which were said to me: We shall go into the -house of the Lord.) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - THE APPROACHING STORM. - - -July’s sun sank gently away on the western horizon, and its last rays -lit up the ripening fruit, the plants and flowers in the garden. It -seemed to linger for a last farewell to the groups of merry children -who, unconscious of their fast-approaching woe, were cheerfully singing -Belgium’s well-known national song, “The Proud Flemish Lion.” - -In a few moments the “Golden Gate” closed on a field of purple haze, -shutting out that blessed glimpse of heaven, while the black shroud of -the most dismal night in history darkened the sky of that hapless -nation. - -The Sisters were together in the evening recreation of that fateful day, -when word was received that King Albert of Belgium, in order to fulfill -his obligations of neutrality, had refused the Kaiser’s army access to -his territory to attack the French. Had a thunderbolt fallen from a -clear sky, or an earthquake shaken the ground under foot, it would -scarcely have surprised or terrorized the people more than did the -Kaiser’s declaration of war against this free and happy little kingdom. - -When hostilities broke out between Austria and Servia, while realizing -the possibility of trouble in the country in case of a general war, we -were assured that Belgium, being a neutral nation and having no other -desire than that of possessing her own soil, and living in peace with -all nations, had nothing to fear from war or invasion. - -Feeble human insight into the designs of Providence, whose hand has the -power to destroy and rebuild, to crown or dethrone kings and kaisers, -and seal the fate of nations. - -It is not our object to discuss the causes of the present European war -from a material point of view, nor do we intend to pass judgment upon -the nations or individuals engaged in it; nevertheless, viewing the -present condition of affairs in Europe from another standpoint, and -drawing conclusions from observation and personal experience, we must -admit that a spiritual warfare had been raging there for several years. - -Certainly, God, who is the source of peace, virtue and every good, -should have been permitted to hold sovereign sway in His own kingdom; -that is, in the hearts of His children and in the homesteads of His -people. This right was disregarded in a most ruthless manner for many -years, as is evident from the fact that the word “_God_” and everything -pertaining to God, was expunged from the text-books in some places in -Europe, while it would have been a serious offense for a teacher to -mention His sacred name or anything in connection therewith in the -classroom. - -The spirit of atheism and agnosticism contended against the Spirit of -Religion, and as a scourging wind was fast sweeping over the land, -leaving by the wayside thousands of incautious souls bereft of all -ennobling possessions of mind and heart. - -The vices and vanities of pagan Rome were reviving before our very eyes -in about the same manner as they had been prevalent over twenty hundred -years ago; and, although idolatrous shrines were not found in the -homesteads, they could easily be found in the hearts of many people. - -Modern life in Europe, especially in the large cities, had to a certain -degree, lost its high ideal of perfection, as did the world in the time -of Noah; and, consequently, it does not seem indiscreet to intimate that -the same Supremacy which chastised the world in the great flood, has, -for the same reason, reappeared and become manifest in the deluge of -blood which now inundates the soil of those unhappy nations. - -Civilization, wealth, industry and intellect developed in times of peace -and prosperity, so as to reach apparently the limit of effort, have -exhausted their entire resources up to this time to construct means -suitable for destroying themselves. - -Now the question has been asked, “Why could not Christianity, after a -period of about twenty hundred years on earth, have prevented this cruel -war and saved the honor of civilization?” The answer is not difficult to -find. Christianity could and would have saved humanity from this -dreadful misfortune had it not been for the fact that her power had been -checked, her authority limited, her work hindered and her ranks weakened -by those heavy storms which, though unable to uproot the Divine -Institution, have impeded her progress and lessened her influence over -the human race. - -When the happy day dawns in which the true spirit of Christianity, free -and unfettered, will animate civilization as the soul animates the body, -then, and not till then, will its powerful influence be able to dispel -the shades of darkness in the minds of men, and in the palaces of kings -and kaisers. Then will war cease and the reign of peace and happiness -begin. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - CHANGES. - - -When our minds, bewildered by the unexpected course which affairs had -taken, fully comprehended that the country was at war, a feeling of -dismay and terror, never before experienced, took possession of all. - -Suitable measures were adopted for the safety of the children under our -care, to whom the usual prizes were distributed on the first Sunday in -August, a week before the ordinary time of vacation. Permission was also -given them to return to their homes the following day. All necessary -preparations were made as quickly as possible, and early next morning -the boarders, accompanied by one or more Sisters, departed in groups to -their homes in the surrounding cities and towns. - -The parochial and public schools of the village continued in session for -a few days, as the children were all residents, and no immediate danger -was anticipated. - -Subsequently, while the train containing a party of our pupils en route -for Mechelen (Malines) was steaming on at full speed, it was hailed by a -troop of Belgian soldiers, and instantly slackened up. All passengers -were obliged to alight and, with satchels and small baggage in hand, had -to make their way to the city as best they could, a walk of an hour or -more. The soldiers boarded the train, which immediately started off to -another station. - -At home the general cleaning and arrangement of the Boarding-school -began, and in a few days the united assistance of strong hands and -willing hearts have accomplished the work, and the Sisters quietly await -developments. - -During this time several workmen were busy excavating a cellar in the -yard. On a certain morning the implements remained idly standing by the -wall, as the workmen had been called out to assist in the all-important -work of strengthening the fortification of Willebroeck. This cellar, -half filled with water by the dislodgment of the pipes leading to the -cisterns, became later the receptacle of the bomb which passed through -the chapel, shattering the walls and windows in its course. - -One night a great noise in the streets aroused the residents of -Willebroeck. It was the call for several classes of soldiers who were -obliged to rise, pack their kits and depart in a few hours, perhaps -never more to return to their homes or families. Sorrow filled many a -homestead that morning, but it was only a faint shadow of what was yet -to come. - -Shortly afterwards it was announced that all the horses were to be -brought to the public market-place in each city and village. Here they -were examined and those unfit rejected. We know not whether any -compensation was given to the owners at this time, although promise was -made to make good the loss sustained at the close of the war. All the -horses which could be of any service had to be given up for the use of -the army. There were some people who gave seven, some nine, and one, we -knew, who gave thirteen or fourteen. Thus, just about the time that the -harvest was ripe in the fields, men and horses had to leave home and go -to meet death on the field of battle. Imagine the plight of women and -children, with every kind of hard work on hand and no one to help. How -happy they were when, as happened occasionally, their poor old horses -were rejected by the officers. Shortly thereafter all the bicycles and -motor cars had to be delivered, and yet neither complaint nor murmur was -heard on the part of the people, who patiently resigned themselves to -the unhappy lot which had befallen them. - -The gazettes and daily papers were eagerly read, although little -reliable information could be obtained. Encouraging news in the evening -was usually contradicted in the morning, while reports of the most -terrible atrocities; of men murdered in cold blood; of open and gross -lawlessness and evil conduct, terrorized the peaceful population in the -unprotected towns and villages. - -Shortly after the war began letters were received from His Eminence, -Card. Mercier, Archbishop of Malines, requesting the use of the schools -and other locales for a military hospital to be placed at the service of -the Red Cross. - -Again a few days of quiet anticipation elapse, like the calm which -precedes a destructive storm; while the Sisters utilize the time in the -unusual occupation of changing the joyful abode of children into a fit -dwelling for death and misery. - -The children’s refectory was arranged for the care of wounded officers; -the large reception hall was fitted up for wounded soldiers, also the -three dormitories and several classrooms. One classroom became an office -for chaplain and doctors. Another department became an operating room. -Another was reserved for cases of contagious disease which might occur, -while another room was used as a mortuary. - -One Sunday morning, about the middle of August, an unusual tumult was -heard on the street. The door bell was loudly rung, and a messenger -admitted with news that the officers of the Belgian War Department had -commanded everything within firing range of the fortress to be cleared -away at once. For some time previous the soldiers had been busy cutting -down the groves and all the trees in the immediate vicinity of the -fortress. The poor people were given just three hours to get away with -bag and baggage. - -Willebroeck, a large village between Antwerp and Brussels, about two -miles from the City of Boom, had increased greatly in population, wealth -and manufacturing during the years of peace and prosperity which had -elapsed since the last war. Thus it happened that stores, dwelling -houses, farm houses, breweries, paper mills and other industries had -been built up, regardless of the fortification near by, whose -grass-covered walls concealed the strong masonry and heavy cannon -within. - -This was a terrible misfortune for about six hundred families, whose -dwellings, being located within the limits prescribed, had to be leveled -to the ground. Even the tombstones in the cemetery, together with all -the crops, trees, haystacks, barns and everything within range of the -gaping mouths of the cannon, had to be laid flat or taken away. - -No wonder that the people raced to and fro that hot Sunday morning, -carrying bundles, dragging wagons with household furniture and fixtures; -wheeling trunks, clothing, stoves, pictures, bedding and every article -that could be taken up and carried away. Tears and perspiration rolled -over the cheeks of men and women, whose faces glowed from the heat and -intense excitement. - -Fortunately, the first message was followed by another whereby the -people were allowed more time to get their personal property in safety -before the work of “burning off” began. Impossible to describe how -bitterly hard it was for these poor people to tear themselves away from -the homes which had cost them so much toil, labor and hardship. - -The new Sewing School and laundry, the Parochial School, the Girls’ -Public School, the Patronage (Boys’ Catholic School), and all other -large locales received the village refugees. In a short time cows, -horses, chickens, coal, grain, vegetables, furniture and everything that -one can well imagine filled up the schools and gardens. The cattle, -unused to the change and flurry, set up a dreadful howling, which -continued long into the night. - -In one schoolroom we had the contents of a grocery store; in another the -costly furniture of one of the richest gentlemen in the town; while -several families took up their abode in the midst of the clothing, -furniture and bedding in the schools. How we all worked that day, -carrying out desks and piling them up in safe places, putting away -books, school utensils—as many as possible in the least possible space. -Every available spot on the ground was utilized, except those rooms -assigned to the private use of the Sisters, and the Boarding-school, -which was reserved for the use of the Red Cross. - -The poor people resigned themselves to these changes without complaint -or murmur; and the Sisters, notwithstanding the disorder and confusion -caused by this state of affairs, did all that was possible to assist and -make them comfortable. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - WAR. - - -It is only when a common calamity, such as this, threatens not only the -happiness, but also the very existence, of a whole nation, and the -inundating tide of misfortune rises to the very doors of rich and poor, -that the fountains of true Christian Charity spring open and lave with -refreshing draughts the parched lips of the afflicted. The same burden -that one bears on his shoulder is borne in the heart of another, who, -while alleviating the wants of his neighbor, must think of his own -approaching ruin. - -In such moments, while the seal of humble submission is stamped on the -sorrow-stricken heart of suffering humanity, the haughty arrogance of -creatures recedes before that resistless Power which shapes the -destinies of men and nations, despite the best-laid plans and -precautions. - -The work of “burning off” the houses did not proceed rapidly enough, as -the walls were of stone, and the roofs of tile or slate, and much of the -wooden furniture had been removed, so pulleys, brought into action by -electricity, were adjusted to the walls, and thus these houses, so dear -to the hearts of the people, were actually pulled over upon the ground. -Whole streets had to be leveled and all the residents left without a -shelter. Many of these did not possess the means of providing other -homes. However, the firm hope of final victory and the restoration of -their lost property sustained them in this dark and dreary hour. - -In the meantime a most terrible battle was taking place at the -fortification of Liege. Was ever attack so strong, or resistance more -determined? Belgian officers said “The enemy were twenty to one against -us; but, being obliged to face the terrible fires of the fortress, their -ranks were cut down in about the same manner as wheat it cut off by the -reaper.” “So great was the number of the Germans that they seemed to -spring up out of the ground.” “They crawled ahead on hands and feet, and -at a given signal sprang erect and fired, and then again prostrated -themselves. Thus they advanced, avoiding as much as possible the heavy -fires in front.” Another Belgian officer at the fortress during the -battle said: “It resembled a storm of fiery hailstones from a cloud of -smoke, in an atmosphere suffocating with heat and the smell of powder.” - -Eyewitnesses relate that heaps of slain, yards high, were found on the -battle field, while columns of lifeless bodies were observed in a -standing position, there being no place for the dead to fall. - -A story was told by one of the Belgian officers of a German soldier who, -when wounded by a Belgian in a hand-to-hand combat, took out a coin and -presented it. The Belgian, surprised, exclaimed “Zijt gij zot?” (Are you -crazy?) “Do you not know that I’ve broken your arm?” “Yes,” said the -German, “This is to show my gratitude for the favor you’ve rendered me, -since it gives me the opportunity of leaving the battle field.” - -Much was said about the valor of the soldiers on both sides during the -siege of Liege. The Germans were obliged to advance in the face of -destructive fires. If one should retreat, he would be pierced by the -bayonet of the soldier behind him. - -Certain it is, whether we observe the Germans as friends or foes, all -must admit that their courage, endurance and military tactics have -surprised the whole world. - -Sad it is to think that such manhood, intelligence and bravery is not -trained to love the conquests of peace. - -The Belgians, far inferior in number, fought with a valor which clearly -shows the undying love of country and of freedom which has ever been a -distinguishing characteristic of this noble-minded race. - -It is not the first time that her fields have been deluged with the -blood of her heroes, in whose honor and memory we find, in the flag of -Belgium, beside the yellow, which signifies the kingdom, a red stripe to -remind her people of the blood shed for freedom, and a black stripe in -mourning for her slain. - -While facing death in this first great battle at the fortress of Liege, -one of the soldiers began to sing the well-known national hymn, “The -Proud Flemish Lion.” Immediately the strains were taken up by the whole -regiment, and thus singing, they advanced until hundreds of them fell in -that awful conflict. - -In the heaviest of the fray we were told that King Albert had placed -himself in the lines with his soldiers. He did not desire to be called -king, but comrade. His military dress was distinguished from the others -by only a small mark on one of the sleeves. He attended to the -correspondence for his soldiers and was regarded by them as a friend and -father, under whose guidance they were ready to fight and die. - -When the siege was over he visited the wounded in many of the hospitals -and addressed each soldier in person. - -As I remember, the siege of Liege lasted about two weeks. Finally, the -strong walls of the fortress began to give way, thus demonstrating the -uselessness of the old-time means of protection when obliged to -withstand the shells and bombs of modern siege guns. - -The German officers themselves praised the valor of the Belgians. We -were told that the German commander refused to accept the sword from the -Belgian officer, unwilling to submit the latter to this humiliation, -since it was not for want of valor or through any fault of his that the -fort had to be surrendered, but on account of the superior forces of the -enemy and the all-destroying power of his heavy siege guns, some of -which were said to shoot a distance of nearly thirty miles. - -Needless to dwell upon the horrors which took place throughout the -length and breadth of the country after the entrance of the enormous -army of the Germans, whose plans had been so unexpectedly frustrated by -the determined resistance of the Belgians. - -These fought long and valiantly in expectation of assistance from the -Allies, who, unprepared for the sudden progress of the campaign, were -unable to render the necessary assistance in the beginning of the war. -This is the explanation which was given by both the French and English -as to the tardiness in the arrival of the help expected from those -countries. - -After the fall of Liege, when the enemy entered the city, the Rt. Rev. -Bishop of the diocese, the Burgomaster of the city and several others of -the more prominent residents were taken prisoners as hostages. These, as -a rule, are put to death if the requirements of the enemy be not exactly -met. - -Some time later we heard that these hostages were set at liberty. - -Then followed the destruction of many cities, towns and villages along -the route, including the noted City of Louvain, the heart of Catholic -Belgium, the principal place of her Christian educational institutions, -and the seat of her missionary forces. - -Consternation filled the minds of the Belgians at the needless -destruction of this ancient city, with its treasures of art and -sculpture, its schools, colleges, libraries, and particularly its -world-renowned university. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - THE CARNAGE OF BATTLE. - - -After the fall of Liege and Namur, the destruction of Louvain and a -number of noted cities, towns and villages, our minds were concerned -with that awe-inspiring event—the advance of the enemy to Brussels. - -Well do we remember that beautiful summer evening, when our prayers and -evening meditation in the chapel were disturbed for about an hour by the -continuous whirl of automobiles passing the Convent. We were told that -evening that it was the departure of the legislative body from Brussels -to Antwerp, with the archives and treasures of the Government. - -Our hearts seemed to grow cold and leaden within us as we sat there -hoping, praying, fearing, yet instinctively feeling the doom so rapidly -approaching. - -One gloomy, rainy day, word came that over two thousand soldiers of the -Civil Guard had lowered their weapons at the approach of the enemy and -quietly surrendered the City of Brussels, Belgium’s beautiful capital. -To have fought without fortifications against such superior forces as -the Germans possessed would have been a useless sacrifice of life. - -Strict, in the extreme, were the regulations enforced by the Germans in -the different places which they entered. They also levied enormous war -taxes. Bold and undaunted even to the verge of imprudence, as was then -remarked by the Belgians, was the conduct of Burgomaster Max, of -Brussels, in his conduct toward the enemy. - -The work of strengthening and completing the fortification of -Willebroeck, said to be amongst the strongest in the world, continued, -while a large number of soldiers, as watch guards, were constantly on -duty. - -The electricity which supplied light to the village and kept many a -motor propelling, was entirely cut off from the houses and public -buildings and concentrated at the fort. - -Two thousand workmen engaged in the paper factories of Mr. Louis De -Naeyer were out of work. Charitable ladies, aided by Madame De Naeyer, -of the Castle of Willebroeck, and assisted in the work by some of the -Sisters, met daily at the Boys’ Public School and made ready a good, -strong soup, which was dealt out in cans or pitchers to the destitute -families of these poor workmen. - -The paper factories, the Castle of Blaesvelt, belonging to a former -Belgian Ambassador to Washington, whose wife was a native of that city, -and the large and newly equipped breweries of the Erix families, were -stripped of their machinery and made to serve as fortresses by boring -holes through their walls for the reception of cannon and -_mettrailleusen_ (machine guns). The paper factory itself, commanding a -good position near the bridge of the canal, was so arranged that it -could be flooded at a moment’s warning; and this was actually done, as -we were informed by the refugees in England, when the battle at the -fortress took place prior to the fall of Antwerp. - -During the progress of the campaign in the vicinity at that time, -several occurrences affected, in a great measure, every aspect of daily -life for the quiet residents of Willebroeck, and particularly for the -Sisters, unaccustomed as they were to any participation in the affairs -of the world, except such as were imperative for the direction and -maintenance of their schools. - -These were: First, the arrival of the Red Cross and wounded soldiers, -some six weeks before our departure from Antwerp; second, the return of -the army; third, the flight of the refugees; fourth, the daily -increasing and ever nearer approaching roar of the cannonade. - -One afternoon in the middle of August a large, heavy wagon was drawn -into the yard. It bore the flag of the Red Cross on top, and on the side -in great white letters the words “Military Hospital.” - -In a few minutes a fleshy little gentleman, who at once distinguished -himself as the “Chef” (chief), and a number of other gentlemen, about -thirty-five in all, wearing white bands with red crosses on their arms, -and long white linen coats over their uniforms, such as bakers sometimes -wear, were seen hurrying to and fro, unpacking and carrying their -various instruments and utensils to the operating room. - -A military chaplain and four or more doctors accompanied the group. All -except the chaplain were dressed in uniform. Several young ladies of -Willebroeck, former members of our Boarding-school, dressed in white and -wearing the head-dress and arm-band of the Red Cross, came next day and -graciously presented themselves to aid in taking care of the wounded. - -The services rendered by the Red Cross in time of war is simply -inestimable. “When circumstances permit, there are three different posts -or places where the wounded are treated,” said the village doctor who -assisted in training the young lady volunteers to the Red Cross army. -“The first post is only a few yards distant from the battle field and as -near as possible to the firing line. This post is very dangerous. Only -volunteers are sent there, as a rule. The members go out on the field in -search of the wounded, amid the continual bursting of partially exploded -shells. One careless step may cause serious wounds or instant death. -Then again, after a battle has been fought, there is occasional -shooting, even in the night; but the members of the Red Cross have -consecrated themselves to the service of the sick and wounded soldiers, -and God gives them strength and courage according to their necessities.” - -When found, the wounded are brought into the first post on stretchers or -in ambulance wagons, and only those attentions which are absolutely -necessary are given. Then they are taken to the second post or hospital, -where a more thorough examination takes place and the necessary -operations are performed, which consist principally in the extraction of -bullets, setting and amputation of broken limbs, etc. - -Here they remain until they become convalescent, unless the number of -wounded soldiers increases to such a degree as to prevent proper care -being taken of them, in which case they are taken away to a third -hospital, where they are supposed to remain until their wounds are -entirely healed. Then they ardently desire, if not maimed, to return -again to the front. - -When a seriously wounded soldier is brought into the hospital, he is -stripped of his clothing, wrapped in a sheet and carried to the -operating room. This service is rendered by the gentlemen of the Red -Cross. One or more of the lady nurses assist at the operation. If the -soldier is mortally wounded and there is apprehension of immediate -dissolution, he remains in the sheets and is lovingly cared for by these -gentlemen until death occurs. Then the body is rolled in the sheet, -placed in a coffin and buried the next day. - -Coffins were provided by our village for the soldiers who died in our -hospital. One day nine were carried away to the cemetery; another day, -two; then one or two. Several were dead or at the point of death when -they were brought into the hospital. - -One poor factory woman came inquiring for her husband. We did not dare -tell her that he died immediately when brought in, but left this sad -task for Rev. Mother Superior. - -On another day a woman and her daughter-in-law came from a great -distance inquiring for her son, the young woman’s husband. Heart-rending -was their anguish when they were told that he was already a week buried. -These and numberless cases of like character indicate what war is, even -when viewed from a favorable standpoint. - -All the clothing of the wounded soldiers was carried at once to our new -steam laundry, where it underwent a most thorough washing and -disinfection. This clothing was, for the most part, stiff with mud, -saturated with blood and badly torn. When dried it was given back to -those in charge of the army. The Sisters and servant-maids performed -this work. They were assisted by the women refugees of Willebroeck, -whose houses were burned off on account of the fortress. Washing took -place every day and continued until late in the night. - -The condition of the poor maimed soldiers was sad to behold. One man, we -were told by the Red Cross nurses, had twenty bullets in his body; -another was pierced through the lung by a bayonet; one, aged twenty, -lost an arm to the shoulder; one had only one or two fingers left on the -hand; one was crazed by a bullet which touched the brain; another was -shot through the mouth, the bullet lodging in the back of the throat. -His case was especially distressing, his the most intense suffering of -all. He lived for a week without eating, drinking or speaking. - -Three wounded Germans were brought in, being picked up on the battle -field by members of our division of the Red Cross. They seemed greatly -distressed and afraid, positively refusing to touch food or drink of -which the Sisters or nurses did not first partake. One was a German -lieutenant, under whose direction, as he himself admitted, great damage -had been done in one of the large cities. He was given the distinction -of a bed among the Belgian officers. He was very ill at ease in their -presence, in the beginning, but becoming reassured and observing the -impartiality of Sisters and nurses, he desired to remain in our hospital -rather than be removed to a third post. - -One day we were called upon to witness a most sorrowful sight. A small -farmer’s wagon drove up to the gate, bearing the lifeless bodies of two -children, a girl aged eight and her brother, aged fourteen. The mother -and a smaller child were also in the wagon. The mother related that they -were taking flight as refugees. Seeing the enemy, they hastened to -retreat, and were fired at by the soldiers. The children, who were in -the back part of the wagon, were struck and wounded in a most frightful -manner. The little girl’s face was nearly all torn off, and the back of -the boy’s head had been shattered. - -At the approach of Belgian soldiers, who fired at the enemy, the mother -was enabled to pick up the lifeless bodies of her children, put them -into the wagon and drive with them to our hospital, which was the -nearest post. - -These people were from Nieuwenrode, Province of Brabant. It was said -that many German soldiers were in ambush, in this region, although no -battle had occurred there. The Doctors Van Everbroeck and DeLatte, who -examined the bodies of these children, stated that they were shot at a -distance of twenty meters. - -The mother, suffering greatly from the shock, and the remaining child -were taken to the village hospital. - -Flour, soap and washing soda were supplied by the Government for the use -of the soldiers. The Sisters performed the work and used a great deal of -their own provisions for the wounded. A large quantity of linen for -sheets, gowns and hand towels, was supplied by the “Chef” of the Red -Cross. The Sisters, when not engaged in other work, spent the time in -folding, hemming and stitching these articles and in preparing surgical -dressings for the wounded. - -Several Sisters and at least two lady nurses remained in charge of the -different wards day and night. The most perfect order and discipline -prevailed. The wounded soldiers who were at all able to get around -walked in the garden or rested and visited with their families, who came -to see them. - -The tender care of mothers for their children could not surpass the -devoted kindness of the members of the Red Cross in their services to -the wounded. Nothing that could be done to assist or alleviate their -sufferings was omitted. The soldiers were to each other as brothers of -one family. We have seen them carrying in, on stretchers, their weary, -foot-sore comrades, and with the tenderest care take off the clumsy, -muddy shoes, gently strip the blistered feet of the coarse stockings -and, on bended knees, bathe and bandage them. - -The first division of the Red Cross which came to our Hospital was with -us about five weeks. One evening about seven o’clock, some time after -Brussels had been occupied by the Germans, a dispatch came to the “Chef” -commanding the Red Cross to leave Willebroeck at once and go to another -station. Again there was hurrying to and fro. The large wagon was opened -and everything hastily packed in. In the different wards the poor -wounded soldiers, obliged to leave their beds, were sitting silent and -motionless, while tears were in their eyes. Later in the night motor -cars came and took them all away. The German lieutenant, on account of -the condition in which he was found by the physicians, could not be -removed at that time and remained until the departure of the second -ambulance. - -Preparations for the departure of the Red Cross continued most of the -night. With the continual running back and forth, and the noise produced -by taking up and laying down boxes and bundles, there was no rest to be -obtained. - -Before seven in the morning all the wards were empty. One or two -soldiers, whose condition did not permit of their removal, still -remained. All noise and commotion had ceased and the silence of death -reigned in the house. - -A day or two of repose would have been a welcome boon to the Sisters, -who were much fatigued at that time. However, rest was impossible, as we -obtained a message that another division of the Red Cross was on its way -to our hospital. So it happened that all the rooms and various -apartments had to be cleaned and rearranged at once. This work took -place immediately. Two days later, although the pungent smell of -disinfectants still pervaded the air, every ward was as neat and clean -as if no wounded soldiers, no death, nor sorrow had entered there. - -We did not know the cause of the sudden departure of the Red Cross, as -the strictest secrecy was observed by the officers of the army; but we -remarked a little later that this departure was necessary on account of -the rapid advance of the fast-approaching enemy and the evident -possibility of a heavy pitched battle at the fortress. In such a case -the convalescent could not remain longer than was absolutely necessary. -They were obliged to go in order to make place for the numerous wounded -who were yet to come. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - THE RETURN OF THE ARMY. - - -A little after four o’clock one afternoon, shortly before the departure -of the first division of the Red Cross, our attention was attracted by -the heavy and continuous tread of cavalry and soldiers passing along the -street. It was the Belgian army returning from a long and tiresome -march. - -Here was found a different kind of suffering from that which was -ministered to in the hospital. Hunger and fatigue were stamped upon the -countenance of each of these men, who, about a month before were -industrious citizens at their daily occupations. - -We saw them marching away in the early morning some time before, full of -courage and patriotic zeal. For what reason they all marched off, or -where they were going, we knew not; but were informed later by one of -the officers that while on the march they had been attacked by the -enemy, who were stealthily concealed, and fired into their ranks from -both sides of the road. Several of the soldiers were killed and a large -number wounded, but, having retreated promptly and in order, no great -loss of life was sustained. - -There were in the ranks priests, in their long black cassocks, wearing -the arm-band of the Red Cross, who, as volunteer chaplains, had joined -the army and were ever at the service of the soldiers on the march, and -even on the battle field. We were informed that priests, and those -preparing for the priesthood, were not obliged to serve in the army in -times of peace; but, in case of war, they may be called upon to serve as -military chaplains. When the present war broke out, hundreds of them -joined as volunteers, marching in the ranks with the soldiers and -undergoing their sufferings and hardships. - -Many doctors rode along in motor cars. They were distinguished by a -special dark-colored uniform, with a red collar and gilded trimmings. -They also wore the arm-band of the Red Cross. Officers on horseback led -each division of the army. The faces of all were disfigured with sweat -and dust, while dust in abundance covered shoes and clothing. Some were -staggering along, unable to walk straight, owing to the hard shoes and -blistered feet. Hollow-cheeked, and with eyes which seemed to protrude -from their sockets, they passed along, piteously imploring a morsel of -bread. - -Fortunately, the abundant supply of bread in the Convent had just been -increased by the addition of forty of those immense loaves found only in -Belgium. All of this was hastily cut, buttered and, with baskets full of -pears, dealt out, piece by piece, to the passing soldiers, until, -finally, only a small portion remained over for the supper of the -wounded remaining in the hospital. - -The servant maids went out to the village later in search of bread, but -there was not a loaf to be found anywhere. All had been given to the -soldiers. Two Sisters and one of the maids remained up all night. The -oven was again heated and the usual supply of bread doubled. - -Every large locale in the village from which, by the way, all -non-resident refugees were obliged to depart, received the various -divisions of the army which were allotted to them. About two hundred -soldiers were assigned to those parts of our Parochial School unoccupied -by the village refugees or not in use by the Red Cross. - -Before the command was given to enter the schools, we saw soldiers, -among whom were also priests, lying on the ground on the opposite side -of the street, even as horses which, having run a great distance, fall -down from sheer exhaustion. Some of these, we learned afterwards, did -not have their shoes off in nearly three weeks. The socks, hard and worn -out, were in some cases stamped into the blistered feet in such a manner -as to cause excruciating pain. In some cases the feet were so painful -and swollen that the patients had to be carried in on stretchers. In the -meantime, several ambulance wagons had stopped at the school gate, and -numerous wounded were carried in. - -When finally one division entered d’Externat, a hasty search was begun -for hay and straw. All that could be found was carried into the garret -of the schools and the empty classrooms. - -The refugees of Willebroeck were very generous to the soldiers, giving -them all the provisions which they could find. Many soldiers were seen -with pails in their hands in search of water. Of this there was a good -supply on the place, and more could readily be obtained at the cistern -which was connected with the canal. In a short time they were refreshed -and cleansed from the dust and sweat of that long and tiresome march, -and were observed sitting in groups on the grass which surrounded the -school. - -Soon after a large door, which one of the refugees carried away from his -house in the village before it was burned, was found. This was laid on -two small heaps of stone, so as to form a table. About half an ox was -procured and a large part of it chopped into small pieces and put into a -big iron kettle, which was then filled with water. The kettle was placed -on a wood fire kindled in the garden, and potatoes and other ingredients -put into it. After a time it began to boil in a lively manner, greatly -to the satisfaction of those poor hungry men who were so patiently -waiting for their supper. When this finally was ready, the knapsacks -were opened and each took out a spoon and a small tin can, the cover of -which served for plate, cup and saucer. - -Probably the German General Staff failed to enjoy their bounteous supper -that evening as well as did the poor Belgian soldiers their soup on the -cool green grass. It must be remarked that each division was under the -direction of an officer, who placed armed guards at the gates and -passages. Perfect order prevailed. They talked quietly among themselves -and remained strictly within the places assigned to their use; only once -in a while one of them would knock at the kitchen door and ask for a can -of water, which was soon understood to mean a can of cold coffee. This -was never refused, and the grateful “Mercie” (thanks) was ample reward -for the service rendered. - -That night passed quietly. The soldiers had a good opportunity to rest -on the hay and straw which had been provided. Some of them were astir at -a very early hour. The large kettle was again placed over the fire and -filled with water for the soldiers’ breakfast of bread and black coffee. -Their only fear was that a message to depart would arrive before they -would have a chance of “Coffie drinken” (drinking coffee, or breakfast). - -At about eight o’clock one evening during the stay of the soldiers an -excited group of eight men and two boys ran wildly into the yard through -the gate, which had been left open for the soldiers not yet arrived. -Great drops of sweat were on their faces. They were out of breath from -running, and greatly excited. Some were bare-footed, having lost or -thrown away their wooden shoes in the great haste to escape the enemy, -who, they related, had entered a village three or four miles distant and -had taken as prisoners a number of citizens and placed them in front of -their own ranks. The boys had lost their parents in the confusion which -ensued and were crying bitterly. They found a resting place somewhere in -the schools that night and departed early next morning, because -non-resident refugees were not permitted to remain after the arrival of -the Red Cross. - -The soldiers were called away several times for short intervals, after -which they again returned for a rest. Thus the month of August passed. -The frightful campaign progressed slowly but surely. Several times we -had seen the hostile aeroplane, with its shining armor glittering in the -sunshine, flying gracefully over our schools. How we then feared for our -wounded, so helplessly lying within these same walls. One morning, about -three o’clock, we were suddenly awakened by heavy, oft-repeated -shooting, which seemed to proceed from the farther end of our garden. -The alarm was caused by the appearance of an aeroplane soaring as a huge -bird over the fortress. Mettrailleusen opened fire upon it, and the -unwelcome visitor soon disappeared. However, we all feared its -reappearance in the night. For this reason the towns and cities were -kept in total darkness from eight o’clock in the evening, and -searchlights illumined the dark clouds over and around the fortresses -and other places of particular importance. - -About this time we were informed that several thousand of the enemy’s -soldiers were digging trenches and fortifying themselves on all sides of -us. Every newspaper brought fresh tidings of most inhuman atrocities -which filled the minds of the people with unspeakable horror. - -In Belgium it was neither the German nation nor her soldiers, considered -as a whole, who were held responsible for these awful outrages, because -it was well known that there were among them many noble characters and -Christians, renowned for their piety and fidelity to God and country, -who were sacrificing their lives for what they thought to be a just and -holy cause and whose families were also suffering and sorrowing at home. - -It was alone, as should be known by everyone, the Godless element in the -German army, led on and sustained by equally Godless officers, who -encouraged, permitted and probably commanded those crimes, as we infer -from the testimony of German wounded soldiers in our Red Cross -hospitals. “If we do not shoot, burn and pillage,” said one of them, “we -shall be shot ourselves.” - -It seems incredible that any one claiming Christian convictions of any -creed or country, could have acted as did the so-called barbarians who -despoiled many of the most beautiful cities, towns and villages of -Belgium. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - ANXIOUS DAYS. - - -Early one morning, while passing through the yard, we heard what seemed -to be peals of distant thunder. We looked around to see if a storm was -approaching, but as the sun shone brightly and not a cloud was to be -seen in the sky, we soon realized what this dismal sound implied. On -entering the Convent, we found several of our members standing by the -map of Belgium, tracing the route of portions of the German army then -endeavoring to force their way through to Antwerp. - -The firing heard in the garden came from the bombardment of the City of -Mechelen. The first attack did not continue so long, nor was the damage -so great, as in the attacks which followed. The noise of the cannonade -increased from that day forward. Hardly a day or night passed without -bringing the unwelcome sound from one or the other direction. It often -happened that, having retired at a late hour after a long and fatiguing -day’s work, the short repose was interrupted by the explosion of bombs -or cannon balls, which, although then at a safe distance from our -village, was none the less terrifying. - -In this most cruel war battles continued in the night as well as in the -day. When time was asked by either army to remove the wounded, it was -refused, because each mistrusted the motives of the other, thinking -that, instead of removing the wounded, they would utilize the time thus -gained in preparing for another attack. - -About the first of September we went to Antwerp for a day or two. While -on the train we saw the wires stretched from place to place, and heard -explained the intended use of electricity at the fortress. Antwerp was -at that time, still and peaceful, as a child who slumbered, feeling -perfectly safe within her lines of fortifications. About eight o’clock -in the evening every light had to be put out, and the place resembled a -city of the dead. - -On returning about twelve o’clock on Sunday, with the Sister who -accompanied me, we found some wounded brought in, who were pierced by -bayonets at a short distance from our house. Their condition was -critical, but they recovered sufficiently to be taken to Antwerp within -the following week. - -A day or two later, while crossing the yard, we suddenly heard that -sissing, crackling sound of a shell or bomb flying through the air in -the direction of the church spire which towered above the walls of the -Convent chapel. Several others followed in quick succession. All the -convalescent soldiers who were in the yard, the Sisters and ladies in -the garden, hastened to take refuge in the cellars. - -We feared for the wounded soldiers within, who could not leave their -beds. Soon the attack was answered by a heavy volley from the fortress, -and the cannonade continued until early next morning. - -A day or two later one of the refugees visited the place where the -cannonade of the fortress had swept the entire region as if a tornado -had passed over it. On returning he related that parts of human bodies -hung on the trees and filled the hedges. - -When the danger became imminent, the older Sisters and those who were -ill, or in any way disabled, were advised by the Rev. Superior to seek -refuge in the more secluded mission houses of the Community, and to all -who desired, permission was given to do the same, or to return to their -families for the time being. This was done on account of the -inadvisability of any one’s remaining at the convent during a battle, -since the buildings were in close proximity to the fortress. - -Some of the Sisters packed their trunks and sent them to the homes of -their families. This precaution did not avail much, as the families of -many of our members had to leave their homes as refugees and probably -lost all their personal property. - -Although all were permitted to seek safety in other places, only the -older members and two or three of the younger Sisters availed themselves -of the opportunity. All save these gathered around the Superior and her -assistant, and promised voluntarily to remain to the very last to assist -in the care of the wounded, whose number increased daily since the -arrival of the second division of the Red Cross. - -On several occasions spies were arrested in Willebroeck and taken away. -Some were arrested in Brussels and Antwerp in the garb of priests. It -was authoritatively reported that supplies of weapons and ammunition, -among which was dynamite, were found in public buildings in Antwerp, -carefully hidden away in the basements. This aroused distrust on the -part of the Belgians for the resident Germans, whom they had always -treated with the greatest confidence and respect. - -The result was that all the Germans then in Belgium were expelled from -the country and had to return to their own land. This was, indeed, a -hardship for the unoffending resident Germans, whose homes for years had -been in the cities and towns of this little kingdom. - -We retired at a late hour one night amid the incessant booming of -cannon. Scarcely were our eyes closed when some one passed in the -dormitory and knocked at each door. “Ave Maria” was the quiet greeting. -“Deo Gratias,” the response. “What is it?” was asked. “The Germans have -entered and are crossing the bridge,” was the reply. - -With beating heart and trembling limbs, each sprang up and was dressed -in a few minutes. In a state of great excitement, all stood in the hall -ready to receive orders from the Superior, who had gone downstairs to -make inquiries about the situation. At the first sound of the alarm a -party of soldiers and their officer went out to ascertain the facts in -the case, as the bridge where the enemy were said to be crossing was not -far distant. - -All the inhabitants of the village were on the alert. By the time the -Sisters were ready to depart, the soldiers had returned, whose officer -laughingly related that it was only a party of Belgian “Lanciers” in -gray uniform, whom the Burgomaster of Blaesvelt had mistaken for German -soldiers, and thought it his duty to spread the alarm. - -All retired quietly to their rooms once more, but no one rested much the -remainder of the night. - -Then followed anxious days for the residents of Willebroeck, who -expected momentarily to hear the alarm clock in the church tower give -notice to flee for their lives. The officers of the Belgian army were -very sanguine, and assured the Superior and those in charge of the -wounded that timely notice would be given if the danger increased. - -Nevertheless, the crackling of shells, the heavy cannonade from the -fortress and field cannon, and the occasional proximity of those hostile -aeroplanes, together with the reports of atrocities and destruction -taking place around us, were fearsome in the extreme. - -In striking contrast to the noise and commotion on all sides, was the -calm tranquility which reigned in the chapel. The Sacred Heart stretched -forth that same Fatherly hand which assisted the apostle sinking on the -Sea of Galilee. The altar was still and solitary, but the little red -light flickered in the sanctuary lamp and told of Him whose word alone -stilled the winds and calmed the angry waves. - -In the circumstances which then existed, one would almost envy the dead -resting so quietly in the old-time vault, in the shadow of the -tabernacle. - -Lights were forbidden after a certain hour, but the moon shone through -the stained windows and wrought fantastic designs on the gilded molding, -while the mild and peaceful looks which characterize the images of the -saints told of heroism and victories won on the battle field of life, in -the pursuit of peace and sanctity, and carried the mind to that future -and better life where neither the pride, avarice, nor ambition of man -can ever destroy the eternal peace, nor break the impregnable union of -hearts. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - THE FLIGHT OF THE REFUGEES. - - -While the aforesaid events were taking place, sorrowful scenes were -witnessed along the streets. Our attention and sympathies were -particularly attracted to the flight of the refugees. In this case we -could give no material assistance, as we were able to do in other cases. - -For hours and days and weeks the doleful procession passed along the -streets; a living stream made up of all ranks and classes of society. -Here were seen the poor old farmer’s household, whose sons had gone to -the front; and young married women, with small children in their arms or -by their sides, whose husbands had to don the soldier’s uniform and go -to the war. The sick, the old and the feeble were taken from their beds -of suffering and, with shawls or blankets thrown over their shoulders, -placed in carts or wagons and carried away, perhaps, to perish by the -roadside. We have seen cripples and small children hurriedly driven -along the street in wheelbarrows. - -Packages carried on their arms, on their backs, or in little carts were -about all that the poor people could take, and all that they desired, so -confident were they of a speedy return to their homes. - -On another day about the end of August, the unbroken line which filed -through the street at noon was, without any interruption, passing -through at twelve o’clock that night. As the cities, towns and villages -were, for the most part, taken by surprise, or bombarded without having -received any notice, the civilians had no alternative but to collect a -few necessary articles of clothing, and in some cases a loaf of bread, -and flee in haste from their homes, leaving crops, cattle, furniture and -all their possessions to the fury of the flames and the tide of -destruction, so rapidly sweeping down upon them. - -Many people of the wealthier class, anticipating what was to come, had -packed trunks and boxes with clothing and other personal property and -sent them away to what was considered safe quarters. Then they moved -away within the fortifications of Antwerp, where it was thought the -enemy could not enter. Others, in the firm hope that the war would soon -be over and that they would be able to return to their homesteads in a -few days, left everything untouched and fled from city to village and -from town to town. We met parties of acquaintances in Antwerp who had -changed their places of residence nine times within one month, and then -were obliged to leave Antwerp in a day or two. - -Some let their cattle run loose in the meadows. These were shot down or -taken by the soldiers, or appropriated by any one who desired. - -It was most pitiful to see these poor people, whose only object was to -get away as far as possible from the scenes of conflict. Some carried -small loaves of bread; others had a little hay or straw in their wagons; -some led a cow or two; others two or three pigs. In some of the carts we -recognized faces of our former pupils, who only one short month before -were longing for the pleasant vacation days. Their fathers or brothers -were in the army, and their homes forsaken. Some children had lost their -parents and were crying piteously. When the Sisters left the parish -church, where they daily took part in the public devotions for peace, -they were besieged by hundreds of these poor, half-frantic refugees, -beseeching shelter over night in the church or schools, which were -already full to overflowing. The days were warm and pleasant, but the -nights were very chilly and sometimes rainy. Where would those poor -people go and what could they do without food or shelter for all those -little children? The friendly stars looked down from the realms above -upon thousands who lay along the roadside, while others crowded the -barns and country schools, or made rude tent-like shelters in the bed of -the new canal. - -This canal would have been opened in September with great festivities, -over which King Albert was expected to preside. - -Peace or security was nowhere to be found. The war-chased people fled -from place to place for weeks, fearful and famishing, until the kindly -and protecting arms of England and Holland received them, and the noble -hearts and hands of American women united to provide food and clothing -for those who fled, and for the others also who would not, or could not, -leave their own country. - -While cheerfully and gratefully testifying to what has been accomplished -in this country, and the great amount of money spent in alleviating the -sufferings caused by this sanguinary conflict, it does seem sad to think -that American manufacturers will continue to supply weapons and -ammunition to any of the belligerent countries. It reminds one of a -great conflagration, in which the firemen exert themselves to subdue the -flames, while a few pour on oil to replenish the fire. This will be a -lasting reproach to those engaged in this destroying traffic. “There is -no pocket in a shroud,” and the bloodstained money obtained in this -manner will not assuage the pain and grief of the orphan and widow, nor -will it purchase redemption at the judgment seat above. - -As the danger increased, difficulties in the way of traveling also -increased. Passports, upon which were indicated the distinguishing -characteristics of the bearer, had to be obtained before leaving one’s -place of residence, if only for one hour; and such passports could only -be used in the vicinity in which they were issued. - -To go to Antwerp, or any of the cities or towns at a distance, one’s -passport had to bear his or her portrait, sealed by the Burgomaster of -the town or city wherein he resided. If these requirements were not -complied with, a person would not be permitted to pass through the gate -of a city or enter even an ordinary depot. - -A great number of refugees found their way ultimately within the -fortified City of Antwerp. They were seen for a day or two in solitary -groups in the public park, or in tents along the streets. In a large -school near the Palace of Justice fifteen hundred found refuge for a few -days, and were then directed to leave. - -The authorities, becoming alarmed about the food and water supplies of -the city, and fearing contagion or disease, compelled all refugees who -were not obliged to leave their homes on account of fortifications, to -leave the city within a specified time. Large numbers of these poor, -homeless people, many of whom were of gentle birth and wealthy, were -obliged to crowd into freight cars which had been used for the -transportation of cattle, and were thus carried away to Ghent or Ostend. -From Ostend they were shipped to England. Many had previously left -Antwerp for Holland. In these countries thousands of them will -prayerfully await the dawn of peace, which will decide the future -destiny of their country. - -The events already related occurred between the first of August and the -27th of September. Sunday, September 27, passed off quietly in -Willebroeck, although refugees filed through the streets continually, -and the booming of cannon was heard in the surrounding towns. The sky -was leaden and a somber, smoky atmosphere hung over the country and -caused a feeling of sadness and uncertainty. - -In the evening one of the refugees returned from a hurried visit to the -scene of his former home, and related to his daughter, who anxiously -awaited his arrival, that the enemy had made great headway. “Tomorrow -will be the last day in which it will be safe to remain in Willebroeck,” -said he to those who stood there. - -In a few minutes the report was circulated on all sides. Sisters, on -hearing it, remarked, “Nonsense! What God protects is well protected; we -must not be alarmed, but patiently await the accomplishment of God’s -holy will.” Monday’s papers brought news of another bombardment of the -City of Mechelen (Malines), a short distance from Willebroeck. - -Following are a few quotations from that morning’s paper (Antwerp’s -_Handelsblad_, Monday, September 28, 1914): “While on the train this -morning, before entering the station of Mechelen, our attention was -attracted by the multitudes who, in the greatest haste, took flight -through the Zandpoortvest. They were the residents of Muysen. The German -troops, about eight hundred strong, were there at half-past seven; thus -the people had no alternative but to take flight as rapidly as possible. -The enemy shot upon some refugees, and the ten-year-old son of Desiré -Horckmans was shot in the car where he was sitting, and Mrs. Arm Beulens -was seriously wounded. ‘This was only a sign of what was yet to come.’ - -“Scarcely had we reached the station, at half-past eight, when we heard -the heavy roar of cannon, followed by terrific explosions, such as we -had never before heard. All the people who had come from the direction -of Antwerp took flight through the side streets. At every explosion it -seemed as if an earthquake shook the ground under foot. So heavy were -the shocks that many people fell. - -“On the Schuttersvest, we found refuge in a cellar, while one volley -followed another. The explosions were deafening. Every pane of glass in -the vicinity was broken in pieces. In several places the stones were -forced out of the pavements and thrown to a great distance, while bombs -pierced the ground to the depth of two meters. - -“One can judge the terror in which the residents of Mechelen tried to -find a place of safety. The cannonade was awful, as was also the ‘Gesis’ -(sissing noise) of the bombs which flew over the streets and, exploding, -spread fire, death and destruction in every direction. - -“A bomb fell just in front of the railroad station, making a pit in the -ground three ‘meters’ in diameter. The place was covered with stones, -which were violently jerked out of the ground. The station is -half-demolished. No one is there to be seen except the lifeless body of -an elderly gentleman who, with his face to the ground, is stretched out -on the floor of the waiting-room. - -“The beautiful buildings belonging to the Little Sisters of the Poor, -and many other noted buildings have been totally destroyed. Thus it was -in the few places which we have visited. What will it be in other -places? All the streets through which we passed were covered with glass -and stones. In all the city there is not a pane of glass which remains -whole. All day long the Duffel highway was black with refugees, which -makes us conclude that all Mechelen has taken flight.” - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - THE RESULTS OF WAR. - - -Centuries ago, when Attila, known in history as the “Scourge of God,” -led his army of Huns through the fertile fields of Europe, we read that -he gazed upon the ruin which he had caused his soldiers to perpetrate on -all sides, and cried out, “I am the hammer of the world, the grass grows -no more where my horse has trod.” - -Well may these same words be applied to the armed forces now dominating -the devastated plains and meadows of what was once peaceful Belgium. - -When one passes through the masses of falling debris and looks upon the -remains of cities and villages which have stood for ages and in whose -monuments and public buildings a more than human strength and beauty -seemed enclosed, it appears that the Angel of Destruction has extended -his deadly sceptre over the works of man and congealed those streams of -life which once flowed through the streets now deserted and homes made -desolate by the unheard-of ferocity of civilized man. - -When we try to estimate the amount of time, labor, wealth and industry -required to build up these beautiful places, now stripped of their -grandeur, devoid of life, and crumbling into dust, we become awestruck -at sight of such desolation. The nothingness of the much-prized -materialism becomes apparent in the ruins of man’s grandest -achievements, and involuntarily we are moved to cry out, “Vanity of -vanities! all is vanity,” which the evolutions of time can change into -dust and ashes. - -Again the cruel hand of war is seen in the country homes, whose rustic -beauty among the groves and green meadows so often aroused the spirit of -song and fascinated the lover of Nature in his rambles. The churches -whose cross-crowned spires, wherein the “Klokken” (chimes) so often -pealed forth the call to prayer, are now abandoned, and their battered -walls and broken windows look sadly down upon the deserted homesteads -from which life has passed away. - -The schools no more re-echo the gay sounds of children’s voices, while -the famishing little ones and their destitute parents are dying of -hunger and privation or begging at the stranger’s door. The colleges and -libraries have delivered their volumes to the fury of the flames, and -the withering blight has scorched the fresh verdure of those well-kept -gardens and shady lawns where kings and princes dwelt. - -Castles have been made into fortresses to conceal cannon and machine -guns, while the deafening roar of exploding bombs replaces the gay music -of ball and banquet room. - -The red glow of the burning city illumines the evening sky and reveals -in the darkness the ghastly spectres of partially demolished walls of -the stateliest buildings which stand out amid the ever-increasing ruins. - -War has desecrated the churches where angels knelt around the Holy of -Holies, and where the daily Holocaust of Love, and the offering of -praise and prayers perpetuated communion between earth and heaven. Have -the angels left the altar at sight of the sacrilege committed in their -presence, or did they weep when the merciless bomb struck the house of -God and wounded the worshipers there? - -Behold the terror-stricken congregation leaving St. Rombout’s Cathedral -and taking flight through the streets of Mechelen, amid the falling -walls and bursting pavements. Weeks later we shall meet them again as -refugees in London, Leeds and Bradford, seeking food and shelter in the -land of exile. - -See that little coffin, less than two feet long! It seems so -conspicuous, exposed there among the coffins of several soldiers who -died that night in our hospital. This small casket contained the remains -of a little angel about two months old, who was struck in the arms of -her mother by a piece of exploded shell. - -This woman had hurriedly left her home during the second bombardment of -the city of Mechelen and, having run for some distance, sat down by the -way to rest, when the fatal shell exploded, a piece of which mortally -wounded the little one in her arms. Both were brought to our hospital -that night and lovingly cared for until about morning, when the innocent -spirit fled to join the army of the blessed who inherit the realms of -eternal peace. - -Poor mother was left alone to bemoan the loss of her little one and to -weep over her desolate home. - -When one meets the ambulance wagons loaded with suffering, mutilated men -who a few weeks before were sustaining heads of happy households; when -one sees the dark red stream flowing from ghastly wounds and splashes of -blood on all sides; when one observes the pallor of death on the strong -man’s face, while a comrade with tender pity bends over to obtain a last -message for home; when one hears the despairing wail of orphan and -widow; when one has watched the endless procession of terror-stricken -refugees whose homes have become the prey of the cannon, when one hears -repeatedly the sad experience of these exiles on their journeys from -place to place, lying on hay or straw, in barns, in schools, on the bare -ground, or in the basin of the empty canal, when one meditates on those -perverse circumstances which have changed civilized men into savage -brutes—then we also agree that “The world has gone back a thousand -years,” while a presentiment as of impending disaster passes over the -earth and depresses each individual heart. - -“Cast yourselves upon the knees and pray for victory,” cry out Christian -monarchs to their soldiers, and, nevertheless, the God to whom they pray -is witness to the wanton desecration of His churches and the wholesale -destruction of life, liberty and property. - -From the dark abodes of despair, the cohorts of satan seem to have taken -possession of the world and filled it with vice and wretchedness, until -it resembles the “abomination of desolation” referred to in Holy Writ. - -To know what war is, it would be necessary to possess eyes to behold all -the sin and vice; all the ruin and destruction; ears to hear every -despairing cry and agonizing wail; a mind to comprehend all the misery -and desolation, and a heart to feel the anguish in the heart of each -suffering fellow-creature, from the moment the first shot was fired down -through ages yet to come, until the twilight of times, brighter in -prospect, than the daylight of the present generation shall obscure the -last shadows of the unholy conflict. - -To realize what war really means, we should give consideration to the -moral and physical degeneration of these sufferers and of their -descendants; to the hatred, lust, passion, wilful murder and other high -crimes against God and nature, engendered and committed, not in the -moment of strong individual anger and passion, but as the result of a -well-calculated plan, with profound forethought, called by some -“strategy.” - -“War is justifiable only, if it is the necessary means for securing -peace.” (His Eminence, Cardinal Mercier.) May we humbly add, _then only -as the last resort_. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - OUR DEPARTURE. - - -Monday, September 28, witnessed the scenes of sorrow and desolation in -and around Mechelen and vicinity described in the foregoing chapters. -Many of the residents of Willebroeck had already taken flight, and the -others were preparing to leave. - -The Sisters, wholly absorbed in their work for the wounded, and relying -on the word of the Belgian officers, that timely warning would be given -as to the necessity of departure, had as yet no idea of joining the -throngs of refugees who continuously filed through the main street. - -The shocks of the cannonade from the fortress caused the buildings to -tremble on their foundations, while the ground under foot seemed -agitated as by an earthquake. A large number of wounded soldiers had -been brought in the night before, and three or four lay dead in the -mortuary. - -Our Sisters and servant maids, as also the generous women refugees of -Willebroeck, continued their sickening task in the laundry. In wooden -shoes they stood at those large cement tubs while suds and blood-dyed -water streamed over the stone floor. - -Since the cutting of the electric wires the motor which kept the -machines in action could no longer be used for the laundry or for the -bakery. This greatly increased the work in both places. - -Large, vicious-looking black flies, before unseen in or about the place, -probably attracted by the odor of blood, buzzed around in a most -disagreeable manner. - -The whole scene left an ineffaceable impression of sadness and horror at -the unwonted ferocity of civilized man. - -Night closed in again, but brought neither rest nor consolation. Fearing -to retire, some of the Sisters remained in the chapel, while others -spent the tedious hours of that dreary night in the refectory or -adjoining rooms, and kept busy making surgical dressings for the -wounded, of whom a larger number than usual had been brought into the -hospital. - -At intervals during the night the cannonade was heard, while the -searchlights of the fortress penetrated the clouds on the lookout for -the murderous Zeppelins. Morning came at last, with an increase of work -and anguish. The enemy, with their usual determination, were trying to -force their way through to Antwerp, while the Belgians were equally -determined to prevent them, or to at least check their progress. - -On Tuesday, September 29, the daily routine of the Convent took place as -usual until noon, when the cannonade became terrific. A balloon, the -meaning of which we did not know, had been sent up by the enemy. Some -said it was to discover the position of the Belgians and, if possible, -ascertain their strength. The Reverend Superior called upon one of the -officers and asked if there was danger. “No,” said he, “We shall let you -know in due time.” - -Three Sisters, intending to go to Antwerp, sent a messenger to the -station to ask when the train would leave. “No trains until evening,” -was the reply. They decided to wait until that time. Just then another -officer called for the Reverend Superior and said in an excited manner, -“Weg van hier, aanstonds! Geen tijd te verliezen.” (Away from here at -once. No time to be lost.) This message flew from one to another, even -to the terror-stricken hearts of the numerous wounded. - -Impossible to describe the scenes which followed. In a few minutes a -long line of motor cars came whirling up to the gate to take away the -wounded who, some of them in an almost dying condition, were being -dragged out of their beds, dressed and hurriedly carried away to -Antwerp, or to another place of refuge. One can never forget the look of -anguish on some of their faces, while others seemed totally indifferent -to all that was taking place around them. - -There was one who was not indifferent. It was the wounded German officer -who, as he himself admitted, had accomplished so much in the destruction -of Louvain, and whose serious condition did not permit his being -transferred with the first division of the Red Cross which left a short -time before. He was sorely troubled when he heard he had to leave, and -would much rather have remained. He promised, in case the opportunity -offered, to speak a good word for the Convent. - -Did he survive or obtain his freedom, and thus have occasion to keep his -word? We know not; but we do know that when the German soldiers were in -possession of our Boarding-school, after the fall of Antwerp, our -Superior and Sisters wrote that they had no complaint to make as to the -conduct of those “Rynlanders.” - -The Sisters could hardly realize that they were obliged to leave their -Convent home, for which they had toiled and labored for years, and which -was as dear to them as the arms of a mother to her children; those -schools which had so often re-echoed to the gay sounds of children’s -voices, as hundreds of them marched and sang in chorus; the garden where -the white ducks were yet swimming in the pond; the fruit trees and -flowers; in a word, all had to be left to the fire of the merciless -bombs and shrapnels. - -Several times they went back and forth, while it seemed preferable to -remain and take the risk than to go and endure the vicissitudes of -pilgrimage and exile. But the command had to be obeyed, as the danger -increased every moment. - -About two o’clock three of us joined the crowds of farmers, country -people and cavalrymen who were passing on their way to Boom. The other -Sisters stood in the hall, ready to depart. We carried satchels and some -small baggage, and walked to Boom, where we arrived safely at three -o’clock. On the way we met a lady and gentleman who conversed fluently -in English. - -When we arrived at the station we learned that the train for Antwerp had -left a few minutes before, and there would be no further transportation -before evening. We went to the home of one of our Sisters in Boom and -rested until five o’clock. Here we were joined by our Rev. Mother -Superior and a large party of Sisters, who had left Willebroeck shortly -after we did. Just as they had crossed the bridge of Boom, a bomb fell -beside it and exploded, but did not injure the bridge. Our Sisters were -on their way to Aertselaar, one of our missions at some distance from -the firing line. Rev. Father Somers, one of the assistant priests of -Willebroeck, remained at his post in the village church during the -bombardment of the town. Four Sisters had the courage to remain in the -Convent when all the rest had left. They have written recently from -Bristol, England, describing their experience amid the rain of bombs and -shrapnel which fell that evening in the garden and around the buildings. - -Bidding adieu to the Sisters who had joined us in Boom, we went to the -railroad station about five o’clock in the evening, expecting to be in -good time for the train to Antwerp. One of the Sisters sent a dispatch -to her mother to send some one to meet us in the East Station when the -train would arrive. As we approached the station in Boom, we met throngs -of people coming back. - -A lady told us not to go to the station, as no train would leave for -Antwerp that night. Undismayed by the sad news, we passed those crowds -of people and went right on to the station. The station-master was not -at liberty, so we stood there a few moments with a party of others in -the waiting-room. A young lady of Boom, one of our former pupils, and -one of the Sisters set out in search of a motor car or carriage. None -could be obtained at any cost, not even a farmer’s cart or wagon. All -that could be used were in the service of the army. - -From five o’clock until seven, the fruitless search continued, while the -other two Sisters remained at the station in charge of the baggage. At -seven o’clock one Sister returned with the good news that she had met -the “Chef” of the First Division of the Red Cross ambulance which had -remained in our hospital, and, having exhausted all the fine expressions -in her French vocabulary, at last succeeded in sending him to the -General of the Belgian Army, then in a restaurant in the city, to ask -permission for the Sisters to enter the train of the Red Cross, which -was at that time standing on the Antwerp Railroad, back of the depot. - -A lady and gentleman of Antwerp, on hearing of our success, pleaded with -tears in their eyes to have us ask permission for them also to enter the -train. Our youngest Sister, moved with compassion at the sorry plight of -two fellow-creatures, made use of a stratagem in their favor. “Papa, -Mamma,” said she, when the “Chef” approached with permission for the -Sisters to enter the train, “Papa, Mamma, carry our baggage into the -train.” The lady and gentleman took up the baggage in a hurry and the -Sisters followed them into the train. - -It was just seven o’clock when we entered the train of the Red Cross, -which then stood waiting for the wounded soldiers. Unfortunately for us, -the wounded had been taken to Antwerp in motor cars and our train -remained standing at the depot. - -The heavy cannonade had somewhat abated, but the field cannon were yet -heard in several directions, and we feared a return of the Zeppelins -which had been flying over Antwerp the week before. We were doomed to -disappointment as to our departure from Boom. It was too late and -decidedly dangerous to return to the home of our Sisters in the city, -and a long night in this stationary train seemed unendurable. At twenty -minutes to twelve the “Chef” made his appearance once more and said that -he had finally obtained permission to take the train to Antwerp; but we -would be obliged to ride in the dark, very slowly, and arrive in a -station at some distance from the usual stopping place. This depot was, -nevertheless, known to the Sisters, who, if only safely in the city, -felt sure of finding their way home. So the lights were turned out and -the train started off. It was so dark that we could hardly distinguish -the trees or buildings along the route. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - ARRIVAL IN ANTWERP. - - -Shortly after leaving Boom, the sounds of war died out entirely, and one -felt that there was at least one haven of safety in Belgium. About -half-past one in the night we entered the Bassins, a station near the -docks of Antwerp. We thanked the good “Chef” heartily and paid the -station-master to accompany the party of five with a lantern to our -destination. He did so, and on we walked the whole length of the -Boulevard to the Palace of Justice. - -Antwerp, the chief port of Belgium, the center of the railroad and canal -systems, lay enshrouded in a cloak of darkness. Not the faintest glimmer -of light was to be seen in the sky or on the land. Aside from this, -there was not the slightest appearance of war, or of any disturbance -whatever in the city. - -At half-past two on Wednesday morning, September 30, hungry and utterly -exhausted after the experience of the foregoing week, we rang at the -residence of Madame Broelinckx, mother of one of the Sisters of our -company. This lady and her daughters received us with the greatest -hospitality. They provided food and sleeping apartments, and left -nothing undone to make our visit as pleasant and agreeable as could be -under the circumstances. About three o’clock we retired for a few hours’ -rest, regardless of the dangerous Zeppelins which could have been flying -over our heads. Next day we visited some of the magnificent churches in -the city. These were filled to overflowing with pious worshipers at -every service. - -In the Church of the Jesuits, which we attended, it was difficult to -find a seat, so great were the throngs who attended the evening -devotions. The front seats were reserved for the convalescent soldiers, -who attended in large numbers. It was so sad to see them. Some limped -along on crutches; some with their broken arms in slings; while others -had their heads and hands bandaged. Every door that opened or closed -caused a shock, as if the bombs and cannon balls had followed us from -Willebroeck. - -We had never heard more zeal in the sermons, more confidence in the -prayers, or more fervor in the responses, in which the entire -congregation joined. We shall never, never forget that week of prayer in -Antwerp. - -In such circumstances, when the courage is about to fail at the approach -of an inevitable doom which no human power can resist, then will the -most haughty and indifferent fall on their knees and pray. - -A day or two after our arrival in Antwerp, in company with the Misses -Broelinckx, we visited the scenes of the Zeppelin raid which had taken -place a few weeks before. It was sad to witness the damage done to those -massive stone buildings. In some of them there was not a particle of -glass to be seen in any of the window frames, while immense blocks of -stone had been blown out of the walls. Bolts, knobs and bells were torn -out of their places and the door demolished. One building looked as if -it had been picked all over with a crowbar, while in some places pieces -of the bomb had forced their way through the walls. - -It was said in Antwerp that the bomb which fell back of the Boom street -was aimed at the Palace of Justice, which is just at the corner of this -street. It was also stated that the aim taken by the enemy in throwing -this bomb was only one millimeter from being perfect. If so, it -deflected the difference of a whole block before it reached the ground. - -Either nine or eleven bombs were said to have been thrown by Zeppelins -in Antwerp long before the bombardment of that city. Not one, however, -reached its destination, and only damaged the buildings and killed or -wounded a few innocent residents. - -On returning we met two Sisters and a large number of orphan children, -who left Willebroeck on the same day that we did. These Sisters, though -similar to our own in some respects, had constant charge of the sick in -the village hospital, which was founded and supported by the wealthy and -charitable Lady of the Castle of Willebroeck, Madame De Naeyer. Besides -a number of invalids, there were about one hundred orphan children in -this institution when the bombardment of the village began. - -One of the Sisters said, that while carrying the invalids from their -beds into the cellar, bombs were flying horizontally through the walls. -One old woman was killed and another wounded. These two Sisters then -departed with the orphans and knew not what had become of the others. - -At the urgent request of our kind hostess, and also in hope of receiving -news from Willebroeck, or from the Sisters with whom we had parted in -Boom, we decided to remain over Sunday. The beginning of the following -week passed uneventfully. One of our younger Sisters joined us during -the week, but had little to relate, not having heard from Willebroeck -since our departure. - -Greatly desiring to hear something from the Convent, I resolved to ride -over to Aertselaar with the milkmaid, as all the trains in this -direction had ceased to run, and no other conveyance could be found. I -went down to the park with Miss Broelinckx and waited until the good -woman had sold all her milk, after which I climbed into the little wagon -and we rode hastily in the direction of the city gates. When but a few -yards from the large green “port” or gate, while waiting a few moments -at a store, we were overtaken by Miss Broelinckx, who had hurried after -us to announce that she had met the Reverend Superior and a large number -of Sisters, who had entered the city en route for Holland or England. - -With unconcealed joy at the thought of meeting our Sisters again, I bade -adieu to the milkmaid and retraced my steps back to the house where our -friends were assembled. After lunch, complications having arisen as to -their departure for England, the Sisters, about fifteen in number, -decided to remain in the city for at least a few days. Some of them took -up their residence with relatives, while the others found refuge in some -of the convents in the city. It was arranged to hold a union meeting in -a room adjoining the Jesuit Church, at which all were requested to be -present, every day. - -One of our party was quite despondent, owing to the fact that she had -entirely lost track of her aged parents, who had left Mechelen during -the bombardment of that city. A day or two later, while going to church, -she had the pleasure of meeting her father on the street. He and his -wife had come to Antwerp a few days before. They had found it necessary -to change their place of residence nine times within one month. Mingled -joy and sadness was felt a day or two later, when the Rev. Mother -Superior visited the Sisters at the home of Madame Broelinckx and -described the condition of affairs at Willebroeck. - -With the Sisters whom we had left in Boom, she had gone to Aertselaar, -where eight or ten of the older Sisters were staying. This town, quite a -distance from the city, was considered perfectly safe. However, owing to -the rapid approach of the enemy and the destruction of some of the -fortresses, this place also became untenable. The City of Boom was -evacuated and the bridge blown up a day or two after we left -Willebroeck. Three days later all the refugees in Aertselaar were -commanded to leave. This compelled the Reverend Superior to take the -elder Sisters, some of them hardly able to walk on account of age and -debility, to the City of Antwerp. With great difficulty she had found a -rude conveyance of some kind and rode on to the “port” of the city. When -they reached the large gate it was discovered that the passports were -not in perfect order, consequently the Sisters were not allowed to -enter. - -Having found a resting-place for the others, Reverend Mother entered the -city. After a short conference, she rode back to the Sisters and we saw -her no more. While with us she told of her narrow escape at the Convent -in Willebroeck the day after the Sisters left. - -On September 30, having left her charges in safety in Aertselaar, she -rode back again to Willebroeck, where three Sisters yet remained. The -next day the cannonade was terrific. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - - EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS OF OUR REFUGEE - SISTERS. - - -Following is an extract from a letter which came to hand on March 15, -1915, from the four Sisters who remained in the Convent throughout the -bombardment, two of whom are now in charge of the Belgian refugees in -Bristol, England: - -“As you already know, perhaps, three of us remained in our Convent when -all the rest had fled. Later in the afternoon we saw the Reverend -Director and his sister step into the doctor’s automobile and whirl off -to a place of safety. Soon they were out of danger for the time being at -least. That evening, following the advice of the Reverend Chaplain, we -went to the Convent of the Presentation in Boom to pass the night. On -the way we met Sister Michelle. When she heard that we had remained in -Willebroeck, she came back with us. We were greatly pleased and took her -along to Boom for the night. In the morning we returned to our Convent -in Willebroeck in an automobile of the ambulance. There was work in -abundance. We had to cook and bake for one hundred and twenty persons. -There were twenty priests with them. Besides these, there was scarcely -any one left in Willebroeck. We rode to Antwerp for meat. Reverend -Mother sent us word to come to Aertselaar to go with the other Sisters -to England. We went to Aertselaar and asked permission to remain in -Willebroeck. Reverend Mother rode back with us. Again, in the afternoon, -there was nothing to be heard but cannonade on all sides. Just as the -Reverend Superior was about to go to the chapel, she was called into the -cellar, where the Sisters and some of the wounded had taken refuge. At -once a heavy shock was heard. Every moment there were heavy shocks. Our -chapel had been struck by a bomb, which destroyed the iron frame of the -window, seriously damaged the wall and mouldings, shattered the pews and -chairs, and filled all the adjoining rooms with lime and dust. We -thought that our whole Convent stood in fire and flame. All the window -panes in the chapel were out. All the window panes in the front gable of -the Convent were out. Reverend Mother, who had just escaped death by -joining the others in the cellar, returned to her charge in Aertselaar. -We four remained in the Convent. The doctors assured us that if need be -an automobile would be at our disposal in the evening. - -Monday, October 5, the Chaplain, sent by the Major, came to tell us that -we must leave. “Go,” said he, “not to Antwerp, but through Flanders to -England.” We thought that our other Sisters had already gone to England. -We remained Tuesday also, amid the thundering roar of the cannon. At six -o’clock in the evening it was announced that the motor car was ready. -“Rapidly,” said they. “Everyone away.” There we were! One in the kitchen -and the others here and there at work. In haste we collected a few of -our things, and, without food or other supplies, started on the way to -Boom. The Belgian soldiers caused the bridge to spring just when we had -crossed it. The two ladies of the Red Cross who had so faithfully -assisted in the care of the wounded, were with us. We went from Boom to -Hemischen, over a rudely constructed bridge. From this place we jolted -and pitched all night long. One of our number, utterly exhausted, slept -soundly, and for the time being at least was unconscious of danger or -difficulty. At ten o’clock on Wednesday morning we arrived at St. -Niklaas. - -We were well received by the Sisters at the Convent of the Presentation, -and remained until next day. Then we went to Ostend. From ten in the -morning until five in the evening we remained on the train and spent the -night in a convent. We looked for the ambulance, and found it in the -“Hotel Splendite,” wherein we were given rooms overlooking the sea. -There were about three hundred wounded soldiers brought from Antwerp, -for that city was just bombarded. We remained there until the 13th of -October. We had just retired on the evening of the 13th, when we were -hastily called up. “Toe Zusters’ gauw op! Ze zijn hier, alle maal bijna -weg.” (Sisters, do hurry up! Nearly all are away from here.) We sprang -up, dressed hastily, took our satchels and went directly to the depot. -We stood in the waiting-room from eleven o’clock that night until five -next morning. Two trains of wounded soldiers were passing. We succeeded -in getting into one of them, and now “Ahead,” wherever Divine Providence -may lead us. That was a tiresome ride. Every few minutes the train would -stop. Where were we going? Probably to France. In a town called Zarren -we remained standing a long time. The residents brought food and drink -for the soldiers and conducted the Sisters to a convent. We could not -find sufficient words to praise and thank these good people; and now -again, “Ahead to France.” - -We arrived in France at eleven o’clock in the night. The people were -leaning out of their windows in their night-clothes and calling aloud -“Vive la Belgique! Vive les Heros!” Again, “Ahead to Dixmunde.” Here we -were placed on a merchant ship, with one thousand wounded soldiers and -ambulanciers from Antwerp. We knew not where we were going. There was no -food. We slept in a small cabin containing four berths, two above and -two below. Those best exercised in gymnastics could climb into the upper -beds. A few moments later the two younger Sisters had flown into their -“Doves’ Nest.” The ship departed, and finally we arrived in Dover, -England. We left Dover and went to Southampton, where we arrived safely -on Friday morning. Here the wounded soldiers were taken to hospitals in -the city, and we were conveyed to a convent. After a few days we were -requested to go to Bristol to teach the Belgian children, and here we -are at present among these good English people, where we may possibly -remain until the refugees return to Belgium.” - -A letter from our Sisters in Holland last winter states that those -members of the Community who had taken up their abode in the -mission-house of Aertselaar were obliged to leave and take flight a few -days later than we. Some of them endured great hardships along the -route. - -The Sisters whom we left in the city wrote about the same time the -following: - -“Our stay in Antwerp was short. We were told that it was dangerous to -remain near the Palace of Justice. At six o’clock two of us started to -the Touwstraat (Rope street), so as to be near our other Sisters. As the -street cars had ceased to run, we had to walk about three miles. The -Sisters who were in the Convent of the Sacred Heart, in Antwerp, could -no longer remain, as those nuns also were preparing to leave. It was -impossible to close our eyes during that terrible night on account of -the thundering, deafening explosions of cannon, while bullets, shells -and shrapnel were flying over the city. - -“Early in the morning we were ready to leave Antwerp, but our older -Sisters could not walk, and we had also in our company a sick Sister -from Londerziel. Finally, about eleven o’clock, we left for the station. -We could hardly get through because of the crowd and the great number of -wagons. Two of us walked on and arrived in Capellen at three o’clock. At -the station we had to get into a wagon which had been used for the -transportation of cattle, and then away again. At half-past four we were -in Calmpthout. We waited in the station from half-past nine until four -o’clock. Finally we obtained a place in a coal car and set out for -Holland. - -“In Esschen, near the boundary line, we stepped off and walked forth to -Hoogerheide, in Holland, where thirty of us will remain in a convent. I -had forgotten to say that four of our Sisters took flight from Antwerp -at one o’clock in the night. - -“Here in Holland we are eating rye bread and mashed potatoes, passing -the night on straw beds stretched upon the floors, and are quite at our -ease, for the present at least.” - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - - THE EXODUS TO ENGLAND. - - -All the Sisters who had arrived at Antwerp met in conference several -times during the week; but no final course of action could be decided -upon, owing to the danger and uncertainty which, like dark, ominous -clouds, cast a pall over the city and presaged disaster. - -One afternoon two of us called on His Eminence, Cardinal Mercier, -Archbishop of Mechelen, who, since the bombardment of his city and the -destruction of his residence, had remained at times in rooms near the -Cathedral of Antwerp. His stately countenance was calm and peaceful, -notwithstanding the trials and overwhelming sorrows he had endured. We -could hardly control our feelings when the fatherly hand of this good -and faithful shepherd was raised to bless us for the journey and -undertakings we had in view. - -On Saturday, October 10, we met in conference for the last time in the -Jesuit rooms in Antwerp. Our Sisters had no idea of leaving the city at -that time. The last advice of our Reverend Director before leaving was -“Observe well the regulations, be ever true to God and duty, and let no -day pass without doing some good work.” He is dead now, having -peacefully passed away on the night of December 24, 1914, shortly after -returning to his former residence in Willebroeck. Although an invalid -for years, he was an example of perfect zeal and accuracy in the -performance of every duty. He was noted as an author of hymns and poems, -and left many important works on Church and Bible history. - -Requiescat in pace (rest in peace). - -Having parted with our Sisters on the street in front of the church, in -company with Miss Broelinckx, I went at once to the docks of Antwerp to -make arrangements for crossing over to England. About noon on that day a -flag was hoisted on the lofty spire of one of the great churches, -denoting “Antwerp in danger.” In a short time the whole city was -panic-stricken. People carrying large and small bundles were seen -hurrying through the streets. At noon the signal was removed and -confidence restored. At the docks we found that the last passenger boat -was just ready to leave on her final trip and could accommodate no more, -being then full to overflowing. - -Three different times we returned to the docks, but found no means of -departure. Even the small merchant boats were overloaded. Finally, on -Monday, October 12, I found a place on a small boat, which seemed fit -for sailing on an ordinary creek. There were about sixty or seventy -refugees on board. I then bade farewell to the beautiful plains of -Belgium, to the Sisters and acquaintances in whose company we had passed -so many happy and peaceful years; farewell to the Convent home, where we -had learned the one true way to that perfect peace, which neither the -storms of time nor the adverse fortunes of war can destroy; farewell to -those dear little pupils who daily attended school, the remembrance of -whose cheerful, innocent faces inspirit the days of exile, as does the -cool, fresh fountain, the weary, way-worn traveler. - -Could this parting be final? No! a thousand times no! We shall meet -again when these trials are over. The Belgians are a courageous people. -Their country will rise from its grave of ashes; her exiled children -will return; her cities will stand up from their ruins and flourish as -they have never done before, and when Kings and Kaisers have become a -memory, Sisters will be found at the bedside of the dying, and in the -schools to teach the little children, and offer refuge to virtue and -innocence within the Convent walls. - -We took our places on the deck of this little boat at one o’clock. The -deck was not covered in any manner, and there were seats for about half -of the number of passengers; but we crowded together as best we could, -with a certain feeling of security, for we all knew that within a few -hours we would be safely out of reach of those terrible bombs and -shrapnel, and we had a firm belief that our friends in Antwerp would -also succeed in finding a place of safety. - -We had just left the docks bound for Flushing, Holland, when the rain -began to fall in torrents and a heavy wind came up. We huddled together -under the few umbrellas and tried to have patience with our steamboat -and the weather. One young lady, in the act of looking around, had the -unspeakable chagrin of seeing her umbrella snatched out of her hand by -the wind and carried away down the tide. A large ship at some distance, -seeing the strange-looking object on the wave, rapidly approached, -lowered a boat, and immediately the umbrella was taken on board. - -About three o’clock we were out at sea. There was no land to be seen. -The wind grew stronger every moment, and our little boat rose and fell, -pitched and rolled, in a most alarming manner. Being on the open deck, -in the piercing cold wind, kept most of us from an attack of -seasickness. Some of the Belgian women, who had never been at sea -before, were nearly frantic with terror, and no wonder, for it was -certainly a heavy sea for such a small boat. How delighted we were when -the lights of Flushing, like so many stars reflected in the sea, began -to gleam in the distance. When we entered the harbor the wind ceased and -the waves settled down into a calm, dark, lakey surface. - -Unfortunately, we had no opportunity of seeing much of this noted summer -resort, as it was quite dark when we left our little boat and stepped -into a large, pretty looking Mall boat, which carried passengers to and -from England. - -After supper in the neatly furnished dining-room, we retired to our -cabin. We considered ourselves at a safe distance from the firing line, -and anticipated a good night’s rest. In this we were sadly disappointed. -Scarcely had we closed our cabin door, when the ship’s crew began to -load the boat with her cargo, and the unendurable noise continued all -night long. One old lady, who had suffered greatly in coming over from -Antwerp, began to scold at everybody and everything, then laughed -heartily, turned over in her berth and tried to rest. - -Morning dawned, at last. The rain had ceased and the sun was shining -brightly. We expected a pleasant voyage over to Folkstone, England. -Again we were disappointed. Fearing the mines which might have been -encountered on the usual course, our boat had to take another route. -Instead of a pleasant trip of three or four hours, we had a voyage of -nine hours. On this occasion there was no chance to escape the -seasickness. The sea was rougher here than in some places on the -Atlantic ocean. Heavy waves dashed against our little boat and caused -her to roll and pitch terribly, while a cold, penetrating wind swept the -deck like a hurricane. - -Some of us became so greatly indisposed that we were advised to go on -deck. We did so and stood grasping the railing for an hour or two. -Everyone was ill. While on deck we sighted something projecting from the -sea, but could not clearly distinguish the outline. It proved to be a -submarine; at any rate, we were told that it was; but our boat managed -to keep at a safe distance and hastened forth unmolested. - -A short time afterward we were signalled by a warship. All action in our -boat ceased. The warship drew near and was soon alongside of the -Mallboat. An officer came on board to ask if there were soldiers among -the passengers. Having received a negative answer, greetings were -exchanged and the warship departed, greatly to the satisfaction of all -on board. Having lost about half an hour, our steamer forged ahead again -at full speed. - -About three o’clock, benumbed with cold and indisposed, we staggered to -the gangway and were assisted downstairs, where we tried to rest for a -time. About five o’clock in the evening the hills and rugged banks of -England made their appearance. At six o’clock we entered the harbor of -Folkstone. Everyone was obliged to show his or her passport and undergo -the doctor’s examination. This occupied just an hour. Happy to again set -foot on “terra firma,” we hastened to the train, which stood waiting to -take us to London, a ride of two or three hours. In the meantime -darkness had closed in and we saw nothing outside of our compartment -until after nine o’clock, as we approached the suburbs of London. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - - LONDON AND LEEDS. - - -One of the first things to attract attention, as we approached the city, -was the double-decked street car. It was so strange to see the people -sitting in those box-like cases, up on top of the car. From appearances, -one would think this kind of conveyance in danger of tipping over at -every turn of the street. - -A little before ten o’clock we steamed into Victoria Station, London, -and immediately made our way to the office of the Relief Committee, who -kindly exchanged our Belgian money for English currency and gave us -cards to the Premier Hotel, Southampton Row, Russell Square, London. - -The Belgians who came to England on this occasion were people of the -wealthier class, who paid their own expenses and were free to take rooms -or lodgings where they desired; while a great many others who came over -at the expense of the Relief Committee were obliged to accept what was -assigned them and remain where they were sent until transferred by the -Relief Committee. - -When all of us met at table in the Premier Hotel, it was quite difficult -for the Belgians to make themselves understood. Fortunately, one of the -party, being familiar with the two languages, acted as interpreter until -each obtained what he or she desired, and the regulations and -requirements had been explained. - -At half-past eleven all retired to their rooms for the night with -feelings of heartfelt gratitude to the good God, who led our steps -through so many trials and dangers to a place of peace and safety. - -In the morning the whole party attended Mass at eight o’clock in a large -church on Southampton Row, and returned to the hotel for breakfast at -half-past nine. In the dining hall we met another party of Belgians, -among whom were Sister M. Aloise and her family, Mr. and Miss Erix, of -Willebroeck, and the Burgomaster of Mechelen (Malines) and his wife. The -Sisters, not having seen each other in several weeks, had a long and -pleasant visit. After dinner we called on the American Relief Committee -and obtained the loan of money necessary for the trip to America. The -American Government had made arrangements with its committee to assist -in this way American citizens stranded in the belligerent countries. It -was given in exchange for a note for the required sum, payable on demand -to the United States Treasury after the first of January, 1915. Interest -on this note was not exacted. - -This action on the part of the American Government, in assisting her -stranded citizens who found themselves unable to secure funds at a time -when it was impossible to communicate with or receive assistance from -friends, was highly praised by prominent Europeans, and deeply -appreciated by the Americans themselves. - -The important places which we had an opportunity of seeing during this -short stay in London were the Tower of London, so noted in English -history, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and also the -beautiful new Westminster Cathedral, which seems to resemble Westminster -Abbey in its mode of construction. - -While at the station I sent a dispatch to relatives in Leeds to meet me -there at the depot next day, after which we returned to the Premier -Hotel for another night. This night, October 15, seemed very long, as I -was anxious to proceed on my journey as rapidly as possible. Next -morning found the city enwrapped in a heavy “London fog.” The streets -were very dusty, the air chilly, and the mist so dense that it was -impossible to read the names on the buildings across the way. - -The streets and thoroughfares of London were so crowded at times that it -seemed impossible to pass through. Teams, carriages, street cars, motor -cars and pedestrians thronged hither and thither, each with some -particular aim or object in view. - -Not a single thought of death seemed to occupy their minds, although -death could have befallen hundreds of them at every turn of the street. -All were in a hurry, for, as a rule, people do not walk in England, they -run, which, by the way, impressed me as unusual, considering the fact -that the country appears to be very hilly and many of the streets run up -or down high hills. - -Policemen stand in the middle of the streets at the crossings and keep -back the crowds on one side until they have passed on the other. - -On all sides placards were posted on the gates and walls calling for -recruits to the army. Whole companies of these were seen in citizens’ -dress marching away to the barracks. - -During a very short but pleasant stay in England our attention was often -attracted by the zeal of the English woman, working for their absent -countrymen. Every spare moment was employed for this purpose. On the -train, in the street car, or walking along the streets, her deft fingers -were ever busy knitting for some poor soldier at the front. - -The prayers of thousands of those poor victims freezing in the trenches -during the past two winters will call down blessings upon these busy -workers, not only in England, but in our own dear country also; and all -over the world where this charitable work is undertaken. - -On Thursday evening, October 15, I took leave of our numerous Belgian -companions and departed alone on the long and tedious journey to Leeds, -where I arrived at the appointed hour and was met at the station by -relatives, with whom I started at once for their residence. - -We enjoyed two or three days of pleasant weather in this busy -manufacturing city, and visited some of the churches and places of -special interest. The busiest place in the city was, probably, the -American penny store. Here it was that the Star-spangled Banner -gladdened the heart of any American who happened to pass that way and -stop for a penny’s purchase. Except on Sunday, this immense building was -said to be crowded every day in the week, and on Saturdays it was hardly -possible to pass through because of the throngs of people who filled it -from morning till evening. - -One remarkable feature about the city of Leeds is the deep dark color of -the exterior of nearly all the buildings. The Cathedral, the City Hall, -the Museum, and even the statue of Queen Victoria, on the square in -front of the City Hall, are of such a dark color that one would suppose -them to be built of black stone. This is probably caused by the fogs, -and smoke from the numerous factories. The fog becomes so dense in the -fall and winter that the street cars are said to collide, and other -accidents occur at times owing to the impossibility of distinguishing -objects even at a short distance. When but a few days in Leeds, my -attention was attracted by an article in the morning paper announcing -the expected arrival of five hundred Belgian refugees in the city. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - THE REFUGEES IN ENGLAND. - - -As a good and loving mother would receive her own weary, way-worn -children, so did England and Holland open their arms to receive, -console, assist and provide for the destitute, war-chased people of -Belgium. These unfortunate refugees, the homeless and penniless exiles -from a once free and happy country, have been welcomed to the shores of -England with a true Christian charity and hospitality, which excites our -admiration. - -The gates of her manors, the doors of her castles, the dwellings of her -citizens, have opened wide to harbor the throngs of refugees who entered -her seaports in search of food and shelter. Great numbers went to London -and were received in the Alexandria Palace, where on one occasion about -three thousand were said to have attended the Divine sacrifice of the -Mass and were addressed in their own language by the Rt. Rev. Bishop -Dewachter, Vic. Gen. to His Eminence Card. Mercier, of the Archdiocese -of Mechelen. In this palace they were received and cared for -temporarily. Later they were distributed in groups to the different -towns and cities of the country in accordance with the means of -accommodation afforded by the respective places. - -Belgian Relief Committees were established in all the localities about -to receive refugees. These were made up of a number of ladies and -gentlemen, both Catholic and Protestant, of the wealthier class of -English society. The Lord Mayor of the city, and mayors of the towns and -villages, took the work of these committees under their special -supervision. They were present at the arrival of the refugees and -delivered addresses of welcome. The Lady _Mayoress_, by her presence and -example, often assisted and encouraged the ladies in the clothing -department, and when time permitted drove around to visit the Belgians -in their new homes. All the ladies and gentlemen of the relief -committees were regarded as honorary members and received no -compensation for their services. - -It is impossible to describe the amount of care, labor and anxiety, not -to speak of the time and expense, which these good people encountered in -this new field of labor. “I have not had two hours’ rest any night since -the work began,” said Alderman C——, a member of the Bradford Committee, -a few days before our departure. The same remark could well have been -made by all the members, who devoted their whole time and energies to -the work in hand. - -The relief committees were obliged to make arrangements for the -reception and temporary lodgings of the refugees; also for their wearing -apparel and food supplies, because many of them had left their homes -with the same clothing which they wore at their ordinary work, and had -no other garments with them. Arrangements had to be made with the -vicars, or ministers of the Protestant parishes, and with the lords of -the manors and castles, as to the permanent dwellings and food supplies -of these people during their stay in England; and, to avoid confusion, -all had to be in readiness upon the arrival of the refugees, who were -sent in large numbers from Alexandria Palace, London. In less than three -weeks over fifteen hundred had been received in Leeds, Bradford and -Keighley. - -When a party of refugees was expected, the whole city, it may be said, -turned out to welcome them. The streets from the station to the City -Hall, where they usually lodged for a few days, were thronged with -curious spectators, long before the appointed hour. They not only filled -the streets, but climbed upon every available vantage point in order to -see the Belgians. Some little boys had found a place on the pedestal of -the statue of Queen Victoria and sat there quite contentedly. Lines of -motor cars stood waiting at the station, while the police had great -difficulty in keeping back the crowds, who threatened to crush each -other in their eager desire to get near the platform. - -The first party, over five hundred in number, which was received in -Leeds, was expected one evening at five o’clock. Being detained in -London, they did not arrive until about twelve o’clock, and yet that -immense multitude remained waiting on the street. The danger and -inconvenience which await strangers, unaccustomed to the habits and -language of a foreign country was anticipated, precautions being taken -by the Lord Mayor and Relief Committee for the purpose of protecting -these people, who were regarded as the guests of the nation. Two armed -policemen kept unbroken watch at the entrance to the reception hall, and -no one was permitted to enter who was not in some manner connected with -the work of the Relief Committee. They were required to have cards of -admission themselves. Though not obliged to do so, all those connected -with this work wore the Belgian colors. - -Two Little Sisters of the Poor of England and a Sister from Belgium, who -acted as interpreter, were requested to remain on guard in the women’s -department during the night, while a policeman performed the same duty -in the men’s part of the building. - -When the refugees reached the station, they were received by members of -the Relief Committee, and while the cheers and greetings of the -assembled multitudes resounded on all sides, they were taken in motor -cars to the City Hall or other public building, where a bounteous supper -awaited them. Food was abundant. There was soup and meat; bread, butter, -fruit and preserves, with plenty of coffee, and boiled milk for the -little children. How the refugees did enjoy this good meal, the first -which many of them had tasted since they left their own homes in -Belgium. - -An address of welcome was then delivered by the Lord Mayor of the city, -which was translated into the Flemish language, and responded to by one -of the several Belgian priests who were resident pastors in England, and -who met the refugees at the station, or came to the City Hall for this -purpose. - -After supper, all retired as quickly and quietly as possible. A -sufficient number of mattresses, sheets, blankets, pillows and shawls -had been provided by the wealthy residents. The mattresses were -stretched out upon the floors of several large rooms, about a foot -apart, and there the beds made up. A separate room was arranged for -mothers with small children. Some of these little ones were so ill and -tired that they cried all night long. - -One child was only seventeen days old. He was born in Alexandria Palace, -and, being the first Belgian born on English soil, received the name of -Albert George Alexander, and the gift of a beautiful silver watch from -an English princess, with his royal name engraved upon it. One poor -woman told of having kept her child, three months old, from starving by -giving it sugar with water from the ditches along the route. Truly no -distinction was here to be observed between rich or poor, high or low -class of people. All were grateful to receive the lowly place of rest -offered on the floors of the museum, with the costly paintings on the -walls around them. A poor old woman was suffering from asthma and was -taken to the Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor, where in a few days -she was found to be in a dying condition. - -Next morning we took some food to a gentleman about eighty-five years -old, who, with his wife and adopted daughter, had fled from St. -Rombout’s Cathedral during the bombardment of the City of Mechelen. He -had been the proprietor of a large iron foundry in that city, and in his -business had amassed a considerable fortune. As his health began to -decline, he sold the foundry and bought fifteen houses to rent. Because -of the unexpected attack on the city he was obliged, with many others, -to take flight, not having had time to return home for money, clothing -or even a handkerchief. He was very ill with bronchitis, and was also -taken to the Little Sisters of the Poor. - -Next morning many of the refugees attended Mass in the nearest Catholic -Church, after which they returned for breakfast at eight o’clock. The -tables were well supplied with bread, butter, coffee, fruit, preserves -and crackers, or small cookies. After breakfast discourses were -delivered to the assembled Belgians, explaining the customs and habits -of the country in which they were about to reside, and instructions and -information given. At the close of this address the work of -registration, which, in some cases was begun the evening before, was -continued. The names and residences, the number of members in each -family, the daily occupation of each and other particulars were -carefully recorded, special care being taken to keep all the members of -families and relatives in groups together. - -One thing which occasioned great anxiety to nearly all the refugees was -the fact that some member, and in a number of cases several members, of -their families was missing. In these cases the relief committees -advertised in the newspapers, making public the names and former -residences of the missing parties, and thus sought in every manner to -obtain information regarding them. In many cases they were successful, -greatly to the joy of the refugees. - -A woman from the vicinity of Antwerp aroused the special sympathy of all -who met her. She, with her husband and several children, in company with -other refugees, left Antwerp on a train bound for Holland. Several -Belgian soldiers were also on the train. During the journey they were -fired upon by the enemy. The engineer sprang from the locomotive and ran -away. Many of the refugees rushed out of the compartments and, -panic-stricken, sought refuge wherever a place of safety could be found. -Almost at the same moment one of the soldiers then on the train, who was -himself an engineer, sprang into the locomotive, and the train started -again on its way to Holland. This all occurred in a few moments. In the -confusion which took place when the train was fired upon, this woman’s -daughter, aged thirteen, unobserved by her parents, had jumped off the -train with the others and was left in Antwerp, while the parents and -other children were hurried off to Holland, and from Holland to England, -having no opportunity to obtain information regarding their lost child. - -While the refugees remain at those ancient homesteads, the proprietors -have taken upon themselves the responsibility of providing everything -needed in the line of food and clothing, the Belgians being required -only to prepare their own food and to do their own work. This situation -was somewhat trying for the wealthier class, who were in no way -accustomed to ordinary labor. In each locality some one was appointed to -take the refugees to the nearest Catholic church until they became -familiar with the streets and knew the way themselves. - -Through the zeal and generosity of the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of -Bradford, and prominent members of the Relief Committee in Leeds and -Keighley, who not only gave us the use of their motor cars several -times, but also, when not engaged, accompanied those who visited the -refugees, we had the satisfaction of calling upon many of the Belgians -in their new homes. This courtesy afforded us also a good opportunity of -seeing and admiring those stately old castles and the lovely groves and -grounds which surround them. - -We saw the remains of the old Kirkstall Abbey, there in the valley among -the hills of Yorkshire. - -On a brass tablet in the chapter house is found the following -inscription: - - THE CITY OF LEEDS. - - “_Pro Rege et Lege._” - - KIRKSTALL ABBEY. - - This Abbey was founded by Henri de Laci, Baron of - Pontefract, in the year 1147. It was first - established at Barnoldswick, - - in Craven, by the Cistercian Order of Monks. In the year 1152 - the monks removed from Barnoldswick to Kirkstall, and on the - present site erected a temporary church. The present church and - claustral buildings were completed during the life of the first - abbot, who died in the year 1182. - - ------- - - This Abbey was surrendered to the Crown at the Dissolution of - Monasteries, on November 22nd, 1539. The Abbey and part of the - adjoining lands were acquired from the representatives of the - late - - EARL OF CARDIGAN, - Colonel J. T. North, - - a native of Leeds, and presented by him to the Corporation of - Leeds in the year 1889, during the mayoralty of Alderman John - Ward, J. P., to be held in trust for his fellow-citizens as a - place of public resort and recreation forever. - - The Works of Preservation were completed by the Corporation in - the year 1895, during the mayoralty of Alderman Peter Gilston, - J. P. - -As a skeleton protruding from a grave of the past, so appears the empty -frame of this ancient structure. The church-like form of the chapel, -where the monks of old chanted the divine Office and said their daily -prayers; the old, crumbling belfry, where the doves coo and wild birds -make their nests; the altar, the refectory and other apartments within, -are yet clearly distinguishable. But the storm winds, howling through -the frameless doors and windows, awake the echoes of those voices long -hushed beneath the ruined walls, and recall another period of war, when -the destroying flames desecrated this hallowed shrine as do now the -bombs and shrapnels the institutions of Continental Europe. - -This is one of the most noted of those ancient ruins, and arouses the -interest and admiration of all tourists who visit this part of England. - -On another afternoon we were shown through an old but well-preserved -castle of the seventeenth century, whose low ceilings, stretching out -over the spacious halls and parlors, heavy black mouldings and -ornamentation form a striking contrast to the design, structure and -decoration of the present age. The lady proprietress of this handsome -manor was to be seen with the white cap and apron of a nurse, walking to -and from her castle, in the service of the refugees. - -The pretty rural names given these old homesteads, such as Oakwood, -Laurel Grove, Ambleside Avenue, Arnos Vale and many others, lend them -another charm and give a romantic touch to their beauty. - -While the scenes witnessed among the refugees were, for the most part, -sad and depressing, nevertheless a little incident occurred which -touched the mirthful chord in our poor human nature, and afforded us the -rare pleasure of a good hearty laugh. - -One afternoon during the last week of our visit in England a message was -received from members of the Relief Committee in Bradford, asking for an -interpreter to come to the assistance of some refugees at Oakwood, whose -affairs had become complicated. Two of us set out immediately and -arrived at the office of the Relief Committee to hold a conference on -the subject. It was decided to visit Oakwood at once and make a thorough -investigation of the case. A party of three or four ladies, led by the -Hon. Mr. D——, of the Relief Committee, arrived in a motor car at the -entrance to the lovely manor of Oakwood just as the heavy branches of -the ancient oaks had succeeded in closing out the last rays of the -setting sun. - -Mr. D—— advanced with a firm determination to make short work of the -matter and settle the difficulties with one good bang of his big cane. -He entered the portal, followed by the ladies, and stood a moment before -the beautiful plate-glass doors, through which the light of the hall -lamp was reflecting in all the colors of the rainbow on the oak carvings -of the outer doors. Not finding the bell, he tapped gently on the door -with the top of his cane. Again and again this act was repeated, but no -response came, although voices inside were distinctly audible. - -Becoming quite impatient, Mr. D—— lifted his cane and struck the door -one or two resounding blows, which were calculated to attract the -attention of the indifferent people within. A deathly silence ensued for -a few moments, and then a chorus of women’s voices began to cry out, -“Call the police! Call the police! ’Tis burglars! What do they mean by -coming here and breaking down our doors?” One old lady approached the -door and asked: “Who is there, and what do you want? We’re frightened -almost to death. Is that the way to do, to come and pound on the door in -that manner?” By this time Mr. D—— had succeeded in making himself -heard, as he answered in a tone of sincere sorrow, “I beg pardon, -ladies, I really beg pardon. I meant no harm. I meant no harm at all.” -By this time the door was partially opened and three panic-stricken old -ladies appeared within, while Mr. D——, with his hat in one hand and the -offending cane in the other, was bowing most meekly and making elaborate -excuses to the ladies, who, seeing the humble attitude of the supposed -burglar, ceased to call for the police and were disposed to answer any -reasonable question. - -“Will you be kind enough to lead us to the Belgian refugees?” asked Mr. -D——. “But,” said one of the ladies, “there are no Belgians here. You’ve -made a mistake. The refugees are living in the castle yonder on the next -manor.” - -Thanking these good ladies for the information, and again begging pardon -for intrusion, we left the portal with more humble feelings than when we -entered and proceeded to the next castle. - -The trouble here originated between two parties of Belgians who, on -account of language (the one spoke French, the other Flemish) and whose -political views were intensely antagonistic while yet in Belgium, were -unable to agree. Some slight changes were made by the Relief Committee -and all dissension ceased. - -Next morning a dense fog enveloped the entire landscape. The damp, -chilly atmosphere seemed to penetrate every nook and corner, and on the -streets, at a few yards distance, objects were scarcely visible. Some -necessary preparations were made for the long-anticipated voyage to -America, and then we patiently awaited the rapidly approaching steamer -St. Paul, on her way to Liverpool. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - - HOMEWARD BOUND. - - -Saturday, October 31, at three o’clock in the afternoon, a mixed -assembly met on the pier in Liverpool and gazed, with not a little -apprehension, at the roily waters of the harbor and the ever-increasing -clouds of mist. - -The St. Paul, while not one of the largest or most pretentious of the -American steamers, is by no means the least. Nineteen years ago she -passed us in mid-ocean, although she had left New York three days later -than we. Her parlors, refectory, and even the berths, are exceedingly -neat and comfortable. The dining-room is particularly attractive. One -thing especially noticeable on this ship is the absence of all -disagreeable, smoky or gaseous odors, which on some steamers taint even -the best-prepared viands, and often cause a feeling of nausea the moment -one enters the gangway. - -May her patron, the good St. Paul, who on earth had taken so many -perilous journeys on land and sea, ever watch over his graceful white -sea-bird and lead her safely into the wished-for harbor. - -Promptly at five o’clock the gong, sounding through the gangway, gave -notice of departure. For an hour or two we stood on deck and gazed out -upon the rapidly retreating lights of Liverpool, casting their rays so -awkwardly through the heavy fog which decked both land and sea. - -When the last light fades out on the shore and despondency overwhelms -poor human nature, exposed to the unseen dangers of the deep, then -confidence is restored by the thought that we are ever in the presence -of Him whose watchful eye never closes, and without Whose knowledge not -even a sparrow falls to the ground. - - CONFIDENCE. - - God is on the sea, - As well as on the land, - Since all the mighty powers that be - Are resting in His hand. - - He who gently moves the deep, - And holds the firmament above, - Will His people safely keep, - Who are trusting in His love. - - He who rules the swelling wave, - When the storm is raging nigh, - Can our tortured spirits save - From His Throne of Grace on high. - - And should the angel, Death, - Spread his wings above the wave, - Then our last, our dying breath, - Must be: Save! Oh Jesus, save! - - Grant us Thy celestial joy - In the realms of love and light, - Where no toils, no cares annoy, - The just one, in Thy sight. - - Bring our spirits home to Thee, - Where the angels’ joyous band, - Far above the deep, dark sea, - ’Round Thy throne forever stand. - -Before concluding, it may not be out of place to refer particularly to -the noble feelings of fraternal charity which existed among the English -people, not only in regard to the Belgians, whom they so generously -received and housed, but also with respect to their conduct toward their -Catholic fellow-citizens engaged with them in this charitable work. We -heard no more of those petty enmities which so often had arisen in times -past as to race, creed or nationality. The Catholic priest and -Protestant minister worked side by side in this good work. Ladies of -every denomination united their efforts and offered their time and money -for the sole purpose of helping the needy. No compensation was expected, -no material gains to be obtained. Thus every work performed was a work -of perfect self-sacrifice, and deserved a greater reward than earth can -repay. A golden link in the chain of love will ever more unite the -hearts of England and Belgium. - -Further experience has shown that these golden links have multiplied -until the chain extends across the Atlantic, and holds in its friendly -tangles the heart of America also; who, of her rich abundance, has dealt -out to Belgium the clothing and life-giving foodstuffs which during the -past two years have saved the country from famine. - -When this period of anguish is over and historians are recording for -future generations the horrors of this awful conflict, may they also -give just praise to the All-wise Being who has caused the fragrant rose -of charity to bloom among the weeds of war. - -We were, or seemed to be, far out in the Irish Sea before we could tear -ourselves away from that wonderful sight. The sea was as yet quite calm, -and a number of hungry seagulls were flying around as if to bid us a -last farewell; so we remained on deck until it was found necessary to -enter and make arrangements for the night. - -We were sadly disappointed on that dismal Hallow E’en in not being able -to obtain a glimpse of our own dear little Emerald Isle, so near and -dear, and yet so far away. - -Next morning, Sunday, Feast of All Saints, found us out in the deep -waters of the channel, but the sea still remained calm. At half-past -seven o’clock we assisted at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, offered up -in one of the ship’s parlors. - -When the service was ended we returned to our rooms, where in a few -hours we were all undergoing severe attacks of seasickness. - -When again we walked the deck it was to inhale the invigorating salt sea -breeze and admire the wondrous waste of waters with the clear blue sky -above, and in the depths reflected a most beautiful picture, “Sunset on -the Sea.” - -A day or two later we encountered on board, a Belgian woman en route for -Illinois, where her daughter was living. She had only sufficient money -to pay her passage to New York City, and, being unable to speak the -English language, was in great distress. The necessary sum was donated -by a Catholic clergyman of Massachusetts, by a Belgian gentleman who was -on board, and a lady of the “Committee for the Protection of Travelers.” -All needful information was given, and when we arrived in New York City -she was safely placed on the midnight train for Illinois. - -Thus ended a short but fascinating mission among the Belgian refugees in -England. Thus ended the troubles, trials and sorrows of three months in -“The Great War.” - -May the gory cloud soon disappear from the eastern skies and never, -never darken the gold and azure of our own American horizon. - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - -Transcriber’s note: - -The contents of pages 14 and 15 were printed in reverse order. This has -been corrected. - -Page 14, ‘honered’ changed to ‘honored,’ “like their time-honored -forefathers” - -Page 20, ‘discused’ changed to ‘discussed,’ “in which are represented -and discussed” - -Page 27, semicolon inserted after ‘peacemakers,’ “the peacemakers; -“Blessed are the” - -Page 33, double quote inserted before ‘Shrine,’ “or “Shrine of Our -Blessed Lady” - -Page 95, ‘soldeirs’ changed to ‘soldiers,’ “to depart, the soldiers had -returned” - -Page 105, ‘greatets’ changed to ‘greatest,’ “multitudes who, in the -greatest haste” - -Page 117, ‘adjoinig’ changed to ‘adjoining,’ “in the refectory or -adjoining rooms” - -Page 119, ‘almsot’ changed to ‘almost,’ “in an almost dying condition” - -Page 125, ‘obilged’ changed to ‘obliged,’ “would be obliged to ride” - -Page 129, ‘Bom’ changed to ‘Boom,’ “back of the Boom street” - -Page 136, ‘callar’ changed to ‘cellar,’ “others in the cellar, returned” - -Page 150, ‘Russel’ changed to ‘Russell,’ “Southampton Row, Russell -Square, London” - -Page 153, ‘Which’ changed to ‘which,’ “which seems to resemble” - -Page 158, full stop changed to comma after ‘Mercier,’ “Card. Mercier, of -the Archdiocese” - -Page 161, ‘woman’s’ changed to ‘women’s,’ “in the women’s department -during” - -Page 167, ‘remians’ changed to ‘remains,’ “We saw the remains of the” - -Page 172, double quote inserted after ‘doors?,’ “down our doors?” One -old lady” - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FROM CONVENT TO CONFLICT*** - - -******* This file should be named 56299-0.txt or 56299-0.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/6/2/9/56299 - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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} - .c016 { margin-left: 5.56%; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .intro {margin: 0 auto; max-width: 30em; } - - h1.pg { font-weight: bold; - font-size: 190%; - clear: both; } - h2.pg { font-weight: bold; - font-size: 135%; - clear: both; } - h3.pg { font-weight: bold; - font-size: 110%; - clear: both; } - h4 { text-align: center; - clear: both; } - hr.full { width: 100%; - margin-top: 3em; - margin-bottom: 0em; - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; - height: 4px; - border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ - border-style: solid; - border-color: #000000; - clear: both; } - </style> -</head> -<body> -<h1 class="pg">The Project Gutenberg eBook, From Convent to Conflict, by Sister Marie -Antoine</h1> -<p>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States -and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no -restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at <a -href="http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you are not -located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this ebook.</p> -<p>Title: From Convent to Conflict</p> -<p> A Nun's Account of the Invasion of Belgium</p> -<p>Author: Sister Marie Antoine</p> -<p>Release Date: January 3, 2018 [eBook #56299]</p> -<p>Language: English</p> -<p>Character set encoding: UTF-8</p> -<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FROM CONVENT TO CONFLICT***</p> -<p> </p> -<h4>E-text prepared by<br /> - the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> - (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net">http://www.pgdp.net</a>)<br /> - from page images generously made available by<br /> - Internet Archive<br /> - (<a href="https://archive.org">https://archive.org</a>)</h4> -<p> </p> -<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;margin: 0 auto;" cellpadding="10"> - <tr> - <td valign="top"> - Note: - </td> - <td> - Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive. See - <a href="https://archive.org/details/fromconventtocon00mari"> - https://archive.org/details/fromconventtocon00mari</a> - </td> - </tr> -</table> -<p> </p> -<hr class="full" /> -<p> </p> - -<div> - <h1 class='c000'>From Convent to Conflict</h1> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div>OR</div> - <div class='c001'>A NUN’S ACCOUNT OF THE INVASION</div> - <div>OF BELGIUM</div> - <div class='c001'>BY</div> - <div>SISTER M. ANTONIA</div> - <div class='c001'><i>Convent des Filles de Marie, Willebroeck,</i></div> - <div><i>Province of Antwerp,</i></div> - <div><i>Belgium</i></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/colophon.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>JOHN MURPHY COMPANY</div> - <div>PUBLISHERS</div> - <div>200 W LOMBARD ST. BALTIMORE, MD</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><span class='sc'>Copyright 1916 by</span></div> - <div>JOHN MURPHY COMPANY</div> - <div class='c003'><span class='sc'>Press of JOHN MURPHY COMPANY, Baltimore</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_3'>3</span> - <h2 id='Intro' class='c004'>Introduction</h2> -</div> - -<div class='intro'> - -<p class='c005'>The publication of this little volume has -for its object a better understanding of actual -conditions, immediately following the -invasion of a hostile army. The hope is indulged -that the harrowing scenes witnessed -by the author in Belgium, after the German -invasion in 1914, may induce our own countrymen -and women to more fully appreciate -the blessings of peace. The events narrated -are set forth as actually occurring, and—“with -malice to none, with charity for all.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>Any profits derived from its favorable reception -by the reading public or the charitably -inclined are to be devoted to the reconstruction -and repair of our school and -convent, damaged during the engagement at -the Fortress of Willebroeck, or for the establishment -of a sewing school, with a lace-making -department, for young women in -America or England, as our Reverend Superiors -may decide.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_4'>4</span>Any assistance in this charitable work -will be gratefully appreciated by the author -and her scattered community in Belgium, -England and Holland.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Sister M. Antonia.</span></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Skaneateles, New York,</div> - <div class='line in2'>April 3rd, 1916.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span> - <h2 id='Letter' class='c004'>Letter of Introduction</h2> -</div> - -<div class='intro'> - -<p class='c005'>La Supérieure du Couvent des Filles de -Marie a Willebroeck, Province d’Anvers, -en Belgique déclare par la présente que ses -soeurs Marie Antoine et Marie Cecile sont -envoyées aux Extats Unis, a fin d’examiner -s’il y aurait noyen d’y établir une colonie -de Filles de Marie; elle donne a Soeur M. -Antoine le Pouvoir d’agir en son nom afin -de prendre les mesures nécessaires a cet effet.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Soeur M. Berchmans.</span></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Willebroeck, 29 September, 1914.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c006'>Apprové:</p> -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>D. J. Card. Mercier</span>, Arch. de Malines</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<h3 class='c008'>TRANSLATION.</h3> - -<p class='c009'>The Superior of the Convent of the -Daughters of Mary, Willebroeck, Province -of Antwerp, Belgium, state by this present -(letter) that the Sisters Mary Antonia and -Mary Cecilia are sent to the United States -in order to examine if there are means of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span>establishing a colony (mission) of the -Daughters of Mary there; she gives to Sister -M. Antonia the power to act in her name -as to taking the measures necessary to this -effect.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Sister M. Berchmans.</span></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Willebroeck, 29 September, 1914.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c006'>Approved:</p> -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>D. J. Card. Mercier</span>, Arch. de Malines.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span> - <h2 class='c004'>Contents</h2> -</div> - -<table class='table0' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='9%' /> -<col width='9%' /> -<col width='4%' /> -<col width='66%' /> -<col width='9%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c010'> </td> - <td class='c011'> </td> - <td class='c012'> </td> - <td class='c013' colspan='2'><i>Page</i></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010' colspan='4'>INTRODUCTION</td> - <td class='c013'><a href='#Intro'>3</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010' colspan='4'>LETTER OF INTRODUCTION</td> - <td class='c013'><a href='#Letter'>5</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'>CHAP.</td> - <td class='c011'>I</td> - <td class='c012'>—</td> - <td class='c014'>The Boarding School</td> - <td class='c013'><a href='#I'>9</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'>CHAP.</td> - <td class='c011'>II</td> - <td class='c012'>—</td> - <td class='c014'>Daily School Life</td> - <td class='c013'><a href='#II'>17</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'>CHAP.</td> - <td class='c011'>III</td> - <td class='c012'>—</td> - <td class='c014'>The Parochial School, Convent and Garden</td> - <td class='c013'><a href='#III'>26</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'>CHAP.</td> - <td class='c011'>IV</td> - <td class='c012'>—</td> - <td class='c014'>The Cloister</td> - <td class='c013'><a href='#IV'>38</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'>CHAP.</td> - <td class='c011'>V</td> - <td class='c012'>—</td> - <td class='c014'>The Approaching Storm</td> - <td class='c013'><a href='#V'>46</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'>CHAP.</td> - <td class='c011'>VI</td> - <td class='c012'>—</td> - <td class='c014'>Changes</td> - <td class='c013'><a href='#VI'>51</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'>CHAP.</td> - <td class='c011'>VII</td> - <td class='c012'>—</td> - <td class='c014'>War</td> - <td class='c013'><a href='#VII'>59</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'>CHAP.</td> - <td class='c011'>VIII</td> - <td class='c012'>—</td> - <td class='c014'>The Carnage of Battle</td> - <td class='c013'><a href='#VIII'>66</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'>CHAP.</td> - <td class='c011'>IX</td> - <td class='c012'>—</td> - <td class='c014'>The Return of the Army</td> - <td class='c013'><a href='#IX'>80</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'>CHAP.</td> - <td class='c011'>X</td> - <td class='c012'>—</td> - <td class='c014'>Anxious Days</td> - <td class='c013'><a href='#X'>90</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'>CHAP.</td> - <td class='c011'>XI</td> - <td class='c012'>—</td> - <td class='c014'>The Flight of the Refugees</td> - <td class='c013'><a href='#XI'>98</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'>CHAP.</td> - <td class='c011'>XII</td> - <td class='c012'>—</td> - <td class='c014'>The Results of War</td> - <td class='c013'><a href='#XII'>109</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'>CHAP.</td> - <td class='c011'>XIII</td> - <td class='c012'>—</td> - <td class='c014'>Our Departure</td> - <td class='c013'><a href='#XIII'>116</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'>CHAP.</td> - <td class='c011'>XIV</td> - <td class='c012'>—</td> - <td class='c014'>Arrival in Antwerp</td> - <td class='c013'><a href='#XIV'>126</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'>CHAP.</td> - <td class='c011'>XV</td> - <td class='c012'>—</td> - <td class='c014'>Extracts from Letters of Our Refugee Sisters</td> - <td class='c013'><a href='#XV'>134</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'>CHAP.</td> - <td class='c011'>XVI</td> - <td class='c012'>—</td> - <td class='c014'>The Exodus to England</td> - <td class='c013'><a href='#XVI'>142</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'>CHAP.</td> - <td class='c011'>XVII</td> - <td class='c012'>—</td> - <td class='c014'>London and Leeds</td> - <td class='c013'><a href='#XVII'>150</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'>CHAP.</td> - <td class='c011'>XVIII</td> - <td class='c012'>—</td> - <td class='c014'>The Refugees in England</td> - <td class='c013'><a href='#XVIII'>157</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'>CHAP.</td> - <td class='c011'>XIX</td> - <td class='c012'>—</td> - <td class='c014'>Homeward Bound</td> - <td class='c013'><a href='#XIX'>174</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span> - <h2 id='I' class='c004' title='CHAPTER I. The Boarding School'>CHAPTER I.<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Boarding School in the Couvent des<br />Filles de Marie, Willebroeck,<br />Prov. d’Anvers, Belgique,<br />July, 1914.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>A merry group of Convent girls, in -charge of Sister guardian, was seated in the -shade of a huge old pear tree, discussing the -joys and expectations of the approaching -summer vacation. High are the walls enclosing -this ancient cloister, and many are -the gay young hearts protected and developed -within its shady precincts.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Bright are the faces and happy the hearts -of more than one hundred young girls on -this midsummer day in the memorable year -1914. They are now enjoying the morning -air in the playground, having just returned -from their usual walk in the garden. The -weather is somewhat oppressive; but as time -is precious in boarding school, every one -<span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>has something to do. One is crocheting; -another is finishing a piece of Irish lace; -still another is reviewing an article in a certain -newspaper, as it is her task to make a -summary for that evening’s meeting of the -Study Circle.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Joy, unalloyed by the experience of care -or sorrow, is written on the face of every -child. It is only one week before the annual -distribution of prizes, the subsequent -close of the school year, and a speedy family -reunion.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It is eight o’clock. The sign is given, -and instantly a hundred busy-bodies become -still and serious. Not another word is -spoken as the preceptress conducts the long -line through the large playroom, over the -small yard, and into the various classrooms.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The young ladies, aged from fifteen to -twenty, proceed at once to the sewing department. -This is to them the most important -and interesting of all the rooms; needlework -being a predominant feature in the -education of all young Belgian women. -After prayer, work begins. Some are cutting -patterns; others are putting pretty lace -<span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>collars on those suits which must serve for -the reception of diplomas; and a few of the -more diligent, who have completed the -term’s work, are now finishing some lace or -embroidery; while a cheery little canary is -singing to the doubtful harmony of twenty -sewing machines.</p> - -<p class='c006'>At the desk sits the patient and zealous -teacher, Sister M. Alphonse, assisted in her -work by two young novices. She is, perhaps, -the most widely known and respected -seamstress in all the province. For years -her gold embroidery has sparkled on flags -and banners; for years her skillful fingers -have adorned the vestments that beautified -God’s altar in many churches of the diocese. -Sister M. Alphonse knows the secret of winning -the confidence of her pupils, and it is -interesting to see how they crowd around -her to reveal their little joys and sorrows -and obtain advice in the various necessities -of a long and busy school year.</p> - -<p class='c006'>On leaving the sewing-room, the visitor -proceeds to the other departments. On all -sides order and discipline prevail. The -stone-floored halls are spotlessly clean. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>Pretty mosaic figures attract the eye and -give a quaint appearance to those ancient -corridors. The walls are very high, the -rooms spacious, the windows long and -broad, thus capable of admitting an abundance -of air, light and sunshine. The -wooden floors of the classrooms are often -scrubbed and strewn with fine white sand -from the seashore.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Sad is the lot of any poor child who might -have the misfortune to upset an inkstand. -You would find her on her knees rubbing -the stain with soap and scraping it with a -piece of glass until every vestige of ink disappears. -If you tell her to be more careful -in future, she will laughingly reply: “Schuren -is toch zoo aangenaam” (scrubbing is -so pleasant).</p> - -<p class='c006'>In passing from one room to another, one -notices the zeal and energy of both pupils -and teachers. So busy are they, and so diligently -are the hours employed, that the long -school day, from eight o’clock in the morning -until seven in the evening, fleets quickly -away. The desks are stiff, and hard, and -heavy; but no one complains. The young -<span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>Belgian women are devoted to their country -and its customs; and if one were told that -in another country more comfortable desks -were provided, she would answer candidly, -“Wij blijven liever in ons vaderland” (We -would rather remain in our <i>own</i> country.)</p> - -<p class='c006'>The climate of Belgium is temperate, -though more inclined to be cool than warm. -The ground is very moist in some places. -Never have we experienced the extremes of -heat and cold found in America. Very -heavy rains, accompanied by lightning and -deafening peals of thunder, occur in the -summer. There is little snow in the winter. -In some parts of the country the grass is -emerald green all year long. Rosebuds are -seen on the bushes in January, and sometimes -the trees are budding in February.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The stoves in Belgium are far inferior to -those in America. Kitchen ranges are not -used to bake bread. Those who do not possess -stone or steam ovens, are obliged to buy -bread daily at the baker’s.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When accustomed to the cool, invigorating -climate of Belgium, a great contrast is -experienced in visiting America, and one -<span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>feels more or less in danger of suffocation -during a journey in an overheated railroad -car, or a few hours spent in the rooms of our -American homes.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Most of the people in Belgium are early -risers; and if, by chance, you happen to visit -any of her cities at dawn of day, you will -find her churches full to overflowing with -zealous Christians, who, like their time-honored -forefathers, offer the first fruits of -the day to God, the giver of every good. -The churches are numerous, large and beautiful, -and multitudes of worshipers are in -daily attendance. Men and women of the -higher class attired in robes of broadcloth; -poor peasant women, with little shawls or -kerchiefs covering their heads and shoulders; -blue-eyed, fair-faced children, and the -aged; whose bent forms and tottering steps -show that they are nearing the end of life’s -journey; all assemble in the early morning -seeking mercy, peace and comfort at the -Throne of Grace. We can imagine the -effect of this morning’s devotion, especially -consoling to the poor, who, in their heavy -“blokken” (wooden shoes) toil, day in and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>day out, all year long, for a small compensation, -insufficient for the comfort of their -families.</p> - -<p class='c006'>As are the parents, so are the children; -particularly in the boarding-school, where -the rules and regulations necessitate strict -discipline. Shortly before or after five -o’clock in the morning, every child is up, unless -some one is ill, who, for the time, is excused -from rising. After dressing, a sign is -given and all descend in strict silence to the -chapel for morning prayer and the holy sacrifice -of the Mass. After morning devotions -they go to the refectory, where a bounteous -supply of “botterham” (bread and butter) -and strong coffee is served. Breakfast is -eaten in silence, except on special festivals.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Needless to say that a great amount of -tact is necessary on the part of the monitor -to keep one hundred little tongues within -their ivory walls until the signal is given to -go to the playground.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Here we found them at the beginning of -our narrative; here we shall find them again -at half-past nine, at twelve, after four-o’clock -lunch, and after supper; in the summer -<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>evenings. In winter the time of recreation -is spent in the reception hall of the -boarding-school. At eight o’clock the school -day ends, and all advance in strict silence to -the dormitories to enjoy the peaceful slumber -which health and youth affords.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The dormitories are four in number. -Each child has a separate alcove. Several -Sisters are in attendance during the night. -In case of illness, a child is immediately removed -to another apartment.</p> - -<p class='c006'>To these general rules and regulations -there are exceptions on Sundays and special -festivals during the year. On those days special -devotional exercises take place in the -morning, the afternoon being assigned to the -practicing of hymns and sacred music. -When the weather is fine, the recesses are -longer, and pleasant walks may be enjoyed -in the garden. One Sunday in the month, -called “Visiting Day,” is at the disposal of -parents and visitors, who are permitted to -call upon the children.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span> - <h2 id='II' class='c004'>CHAPTER II.<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Daily School Life.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Every Tuesday afternoon, from one until -about four o’clock, all the boarders, except -the little ones, dressed in full uniform, go -forth for a long walk with their teachers. -They usually visit churches, shrines, or -places of particular interest, thus developing -the spiritual, mental and physical powers -of the body.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The uniform is quite becoming and attractive. -It consists of a neat black dress, -without showy trimmings or ornaments, -black shoes and stockings, black hat, black -silk gloves and necktie, with white sailor -collar and cuffs. Sometimes white blouses, -with straw hats, white silk neckties and -gloves are worn. The hair is simply combed -back, a part being taken up and fastened -with a black or white bow, while the rest is -braided and fastened again with a bow to -match the necktie and gloves.</p> - -<p class='c006'>A silver chain, bearing the medal of the -Immaculate Conception, is worn by all -<span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>those belonging to the “Congregation of the -Children of Mary.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>For what might seem monotonous in this -manner of dress, we find sufficient variation -in the blond locks, naturally curling around -the forehead, the plump, rosy cheeks, the -sparkling eyes and smiling faces of these gay -and guileless children.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The uniform is not permitted to be of -costly fabric, as it must be in accordance -with the means of every pupil. It is the -distinguishing mark of the institution to -which the child belongs, and claims for her -a certain respect not due to those dressed in -gaudy, striking, many-colored garb, so often -affected by girls and young ladies.</p> - -<p class='c006'>One of the principal and most beneficial -results noticeable from the use of the uniform -suit in the boarding-school is that it -destroys the great inclination on the part -of one pupil to surpass another in dress and -personal adornment, thus preventing vanity -and arrogance in the one, and removing the -cause of envy, jealousy and distraction in -the other.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>What teacher has not remarked, in the ordinary -classroom, the scornful glance on the -face of a haughty child, as she regards her -poorer neighbor’s cheap dress, and who has -not noticed the seeds of envy sprouting up -in the heart of some poor little creature, so -deeply wounded by the conduct of her affluent -companion? There she sits, and, instead -of diligently studying her lesson, that sensitive -little soul is complaining against the -All-Wise Providence, which has given to -her neighbor more than to her. Alas! when -that child returns home after school, poor -mother must suffer. Her daughter begins -to annoy and worry, tease and complain, until -mother also feels the pangs of jealousy; -and, falling into error, denies herself some -household necessity in order to satisfy her -discontented child. There are many mothers -in the world at present who are real -slaves to the caprices of their daughters in -matters of dress. A pretty uniform in all -common day schools would prevent a great -deal of this annoyance to mothers, pupils -and teachers.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>Nearly every year since the opening of -the sewing and household schools an exposition -is held for about two weeks, in which -all suits, lace, embroidery, painting, mending -of clothing, and all other articles made -by the boarders are exhibited.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Written invitations are sent out to the -families and friends of the Sisters and children. -Only those who have received such -invitations are allowed to visit the exposition.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It sometimes occurs that a dramatic performance -is given by the boarders as an entertainment, -wherein the play represents an -event of particular religious or historical -interest. In this case, also, only those invited -are permitted to be present.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Most interesting entertainments, provided -by the Convent for the boarding-school, are -the stereopticon views, with lectures given -by the Reverend Professors of the College -of Boom, in which are represented and discussed -all the important scenes in and on the -route to the Holy Land by those who have -actually visited the scenes and secured the -views themselves.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>Another object of great interest is the -“Play of the Birds,” presented by a French -Gentleman, when requested by the Superiors, -for the pleasure and instruction of the -pupils. There are several cages of birds of -the smaller kinds. These birds are exactly -trained, and, being perfectly obedient to -their master, perform a series of exquisite -feats, which leave a lasting impression on -the memory. But the lesson which is intended -to be impressed upon the minds of -the pupils is the result which can be obtained -from even the unreasoning creatures -around us, by the unceasing, unwavering influence -of a loving, gentle, patient and persevering -character.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When the children had entered the classroom -in the morning, the monitor stood for -a moment and glanced around to see if the -yard was in order. Her eye fell upon a paper -forgotten by one of the pupils. She -opened it and saw the portraits of the murdered -Crown Prince and his noble consort, -of Austria-Hungary, little recking the -awful import of that heinous crime to her -own fair country.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>Was it the heat, or was it the harbinger of -coming woe? A feeling of sadness so seldom -experienced in the life of a zealous religious -took possession of the Sister and carried -her for the moment beyond her Convent -walls, far away to the battlefield of life, -where Pride, Ambition and Materialism, -like unto monstrous autocrats, wage war -against the human race. A moment she -pauses while her heart exclaims, “Sursum -Corda” (Lift up the hearts).</p> - -<p class='c006'>“One day in Thy house, O Lord, is better -than thousands in the dwellings of sinners.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>She glanced around the yard and went -slowly to her room.</p> - -<p class='c006'>From the window could be seen the sunny, -cloudless sky, the trees laden with ripening -fruit, and far away those fertile, well-tilled -fields in which, perhaps, there never -had been raised before, a more plentiful or -luxuriant crop of wheat and barley. Who -could have ever thought that within a few -short weeks that same, sunny sky would be -raining death-dealing bombs upon the innocent -inhabitants of a peace-loving nation, -while her crops, over-ripe for the harvest, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>were being trampled under foot and her -plains and meadows deluged in a sea of -blood?</p> - -<p class='c006'>How strange, how incomprehensible does -it not appear to those whose lives are spent -in the abode of sanctity, to witness this ignoble -strife, this worship of mammon, the rise -and fall of the victims of Ambition, along the -path of glory leading to the grave? All -the wealth of the world cannot obtain for -them the precious pearl of peace, or the -tranquillity of mind possessed by the poorest -day laborer in the humble performance -of his allotted task.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Peace is a hidden manna, unknown to the -selfish lover of the world, in whose heart -rages perpetual war.</p> - -<p class='c006'>On the outer page of a child’s copy book, -I observed an illustration which depicted in -a very simple manner the progress of selfish -Ambition as it is found today in every class -of society. In the corner of the page sat a -big black spider, intent on catching a little -fly which had lit on a blade of grass. Just -above was a greedy little bird, ready to -grasp the spider. At a short distance a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>vicious-looking old cat crouched in the -grass, ready to spring at the bird. A dog, -prowling along the street, seeing the cat, -showed his long teeth and would have -sprung at the cat, had not a little boy approached -and begun to worry the dog. In -the distance appears father, with the “rod of -correction” in hand, ready to punish little -Fritz for cruelty to animals.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Thus there is selfish strife in this world of -ours, strife from the cradle to the grave; and -no one, however proud, ambitious or arrogant -he may be, who will not, one day, find a -master greater than he. Now what is the -object of this never-ending strife? It is -simply an insatiable desire for superiority -and self-satisfaction, even if, to obtain the -ends in view, one must trample upon the -rights of others.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Having lost original happiness in the fall -of Adam, man has been looking for it ever -since; but the great trouble is that many -people look for it in the wrong direction, -and seek it where no happiness is to be -found. They think it consists in the acquisition -of fame and glory, in the possession of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>wealth, or in a life of ease and luxury; but -these things are as transient as the evening -twilight, and uncertain as the shadowy -forms portrayed in the river’s depths. The -entire lives of many people are consumed in -a fruitless search after the vain and perishable -goods of the earth. Their years glide -away like the sands in an hour-glass; and, -finally they sicken, faint and fall, and their -end resembles the pebbles thrown into the -ocean, which for a moment ripple the surface -and lose themselves in its waves. The -human soul is as a fathomless sea, which -nothing finite can satisfy. “O God!” cried -St. Augustine, “Thou hast made us for Thyself, -and our hearts are ever troubled, ever -agitated, until they find rest in Thee.”</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span> - <h2 id='III' class='c004'>CHAPTER III.<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>The Parochial School, Convent<br />and Garden.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>The reverie into which the Sister had -fallen was soon interrupted by the sound of -children’s voices in the small playground. -Hastily leaving the room, she went to meet -the merry little band of day-scholars who -attend the boarding-school from half-past -eight in the morning until six o’clock in the -evening.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Joyfully the little group of twenty gathers -around their mistress. One presents a -flower which mother had given; another, a -pretty postcard; yet another shows a toy or -picture-book. A chubby little boy is crying -because he has forgotten his new drum; and -thus talking, laughing and crying, they are -placed in line and lead away to the cozy little -classroom whose long, broad windows -look out upon the garden, which is ever -green, and the rose bushes near the arbor, -which bloom the greater part of the year, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>and on whose twigs buds were often seen on -New Year’s Day.</p> - -<p class='c006'>During the morning session one rosy-cheeked -little girl, with long yellow curls -and an apron as white as snow, stood up by -her desk and said, “Sister, there is war in -the newspapers. Papa said so this morning.” -All the little heads turned, curious -to hear about the war; and little Charlie -took out his box of soldiers and arranged -them in marching order on the desk. The -mistress took advantage of the situation to -teach the older pupils the great value of -peace and the reward promised to the peacemakers; -“Blessed are the peacemakers, for -they shall be called the children of God.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>At half-past nine the recess bell rings, and -all the pupils proceed once more to the -playground and play tag, or continue their -needlework in the shade of the wide-spreading -trees. During certain seasons of the -year all children play “beads,” which is -quite similar to a game of marbles. Happier -than a general returning with the spoils -of war is the child who, at the end of the -season, can show her companions a string -<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>of large, many-colored beads two or three -yards long.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The swing and the rings are the source of -great enjoyment for the children, and not a -little care and anxiety to the Sister on guard, -especially if the ripening fruit hangs on -a branch within touching range of the children’s -feet.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When it freezes hard in the winter, there -being no snow on the ground and no pond -nearer than the large garden, a number of -the older pupils pump water and throw it -on the stone pavement of the playground, -until the whole becomes as a sheet of glass; -and then the exercise of skating on wooden -shoes begins. Needless to say, there is danger -of fracturing more than the pavement -when this play begins.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Sister M. Anastatia has been for about -twenty-eight years preceptress in the boarding-school. -She is a small, slight figure, -whose very presence has a kind of magic -influence upon all around her. At her entrance -and during her lessons perfect order -prevails. Authority and precision, softened -by great kindness of heart, are the distinctive -<span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>personal traits of Sister M. Anastatia. -She is assisted in her work by several other -Sisters and two lady teachers.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Among the assistants, no one, perhaps, deserves -more credit or gratitude than Sister -M. Cecilia, who for more than twenty-five -years has directed the musical exercises of -the Convent and Boarding-school.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Showing a natural talent for music in her -early childhood, and possessing a fine voice, -her own progress in this art has been remarkable, -and her services inestimable as -teacher of music and directress of the choir. -She is assisted in her work by Sister M. -Margarita, one of the younger Sisters of the -Community.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The Belgians, like many other European -nations, are great lovers of music. Thus, -since a large number of pupils take music -lessons, the monotony of school life is broken -by the melody of many instruments and the -sweet harmony of children’s voices.</p> - -<p class='c006'>There is no place where the influence of -soft, sweet music is so effective as in the -church or chapel during devotional exercises. -Nowhere are greater pains taken to develop -<span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>this art as a branch of education than -in the Convent schools, and nowhere are -the results obtained more gratifying.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Sister M. Amelia, the only child of the -well-known family Le Duc, of Mechelen, -entered the Convent at the age of sixteen, -and having completed the Normal course in -St. Nicholas, took charge of one of the -higher departments in the Boarding-school. -She teaches French and Flemish, also drawing, -painting and penmanship. The English -and German languages are taught in -the higher departments.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Proceeding from the Boarding-school, -the visitor is led around to the long playground -of the Parochial School of Willebroeck. -Here between six and seven hundred -girls form the long line which is -marching through the gate of “d’Externat.” -Each division is in charge of one or more -Sisters, who conduct the children safely -through the street a little beyond the Post-office. -Here the procession breaks up, and -the children scatter in all directions and run -on to their homes in the different parts of -the town.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>Scarcely have the Sisters finished dinner, -when the throng of pupils are at the gate -again, eager for admittance. See them coming -from all directions, and listen to the -clatter of their wooden shoes on the stone -pavement! Truly happy in their child-like -simplicity, strong, healthy and active, they -are worthy descendants of a sturdy old race. -When the gate is opened, crowds rush into -the yard and begin their games of tag, jump -the rope, hide and seek, etc., just as easily in -those hard “blokken” as their next-door -neighbors, the “Pensionnaires” (Boarders), -in fine high-heeled shoes.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The continual use of wooden shoes is hurtful -to the feet. They hinder the development -of natural gracefulness in walking and -cause the feet to become large and very flat.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Sister M. Stanislas superintends the Parochial -School. Though small of stature and -very delicate, she has worked for years in -the cause of education and has become one -of the most prominent teachers in the province. -In company with her associates, the -assistant teachers, she attends the conferences, -writes articles on education and conference -<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>work, directs the sewing department; -in a word, it is greatly due to her zeal, -energy and Christian charity that the Girls’ -Catholic School of Willebroeck has attained -as high a standing as the highly paid public -schools of the district.</p> - -<p class='c006'>On leaving “d’Externat” (parochial -school) one enters that part of the garden -especially assigned to the use of the Sisters -during recreation. It adjoins the large garden -which is at the service of strangers on -Sundays and visiting days. From the main -path, in the middle of the garden, a fine -view can be had of that quaint old Convent, -some of whose buildings have stood there -over a hundred years. On the right rises -the new school, containing several large -classrooms on one side; and on the other, -the bakery, laundry, free sewing and household -schools. At a short distance from the -school is the “Gloriette” (arbor), or summer -house, surrounded by a very beautiful -collection of rose bushes, then in full bloom. -There are beds also containing many varieties -of flowers, palms and evergreens.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>In the distance is seen the Convent chapel, -with its small belfry. It seems so insignificant -in comparison with the majestic tower -of the old parish church of Willebroeck, -which, probably, has weathered the storms -of centuries.</p> - -<p class='c006'>On the right-hand side of the chapel is -found the “Grotto,” or “Shrine of Our -Blessed Lady of Lourdes.” It is here that -the children, during the summer evenings, -sing their sweetest hymns; here also that the -Sisters, after a tiresome day’s work, kneel in -spirit a few moments at the feet of their -“Holy Mother” and patroness, who gave -to the world the first perfect model of Convent -life, when as a child she parted with -her dearly beloved parents, St. Joachim and -St. Anna, and entered the Temple of Jerusalem, -where the years of her childhood -were passed in work, in prayer, and in devout -communion with the Divine Being, -who was “Lord of the Temple.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>The number of Religious now in the Convent -is fifty. They are Sisters of the Augustinian -Order, bearing the name of Filles de -Marie (Daughters of Mary). The Mother -<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>House, wherein reside the Superior General, -Rev. Mother M. Berchmans, and Assistant -Superior, Rev. Sister M. Gabrielle, -is, and has been for about fifty years, in the -town of Willebroeck, in the Province of -Antwerp, Belgium.</p> - -<p class='c006'>In this house all the younger Sisters are -received, trained, and make their profession, -which consists in the solemn pronunciation -of the three holy vows of religion.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Many of the younger Sisters complete -their normal course for school teachers during -their novitiate.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The mission houses are Thisselt, Blaesvelt, -Aertselaar and Bonheyden. All the -Sisters are Belgians, except one.</p> - -<p class='c006'>During the last eighteen years five of the -members have celebrated the golden jubilee, -or fiftieth anniversary of their entrance into -the Community. One of these, Rev. Mother -M. Magdalena, was the sister of the late -well-known and highly esteemed Bishop of -Richmond, Va., Rt. Rev. A. Van de Vyver, -D. D. She entered at the age of eighteen -and lived fifty-seven years in the Convent.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>We stood by the death-bed of all these -dear old members who had given the flower -and fruit of their long and useful lives to -the advance of education and religion. We -observed the peaceful resignation on the -countenance of each dying Sister, and the -smile of heavenly joy on her lips. The -death of each one of these was for the Community -as the passing away of a sunbeam. -For them it was only a happy transition -from the sorrows of time to the joys of eternity. -We gazed on those faces so pure, so -calm, so majestic, even after the spirit had -fled, and recalled the words of Holy Scripture, -“Blessed are the dead who die in the -Lord,” and again, “The death of the just is -precious in the sight of the Lord.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>Besides the above named, there are a number -of Sisters in the Convent who have already -celebrated their “Silver Jubilee,” or -twenty-fifth anniversary of their entrance.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Under the administration of the so-called -Liberal party in Belgium, in the year 1879, -the Catholic schools, being deprived of -financial assistance from the Government, -were closed.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>A new School Law was passed, and the -Crucifix and images of the saints were prohibited -in the schools. Many Catholic -teachers resigned. The clergy and rich -Catholic families built schools of their own, -which were supported by gifts.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Our Community provided schools for the -poor children of Willebroeck, and furnished -the classrooms with desks, books and -all necessary supplies. The eight Sisters -who taught received only 2,000 francs per -year, which was less than fifty dollars for -each Sister, and the predicament of the Sisters -became more or less alarming. Several -prominent gentlemen in the town, among -whom was Mr. Erix, the father of our present -Sister M. Aloisia, went around taking -up collections for the pressing necessities of -the Community.</p> - -<p class='c006'>In the year 1866, when the cholera broke -out in Willebroeck, three Sisters went to the -hospital; and, without any compensation -whatever, remained with their patients. -Later, about the year 1891, the same disease -broke out again. The Liberal Burgomaster, -Mr. De Naeyer, being in great need of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>assistance, came to the Convent and asked -for Sisters as nurses. Regardless of their -past grievances, occasioned by the bitter opposition -of the Liberals to the Catholic -schools, eager only to do good, five strong, -able-bodied Sisters, at the request of their -Superior, left the Convent and went to the -temporary hospital which had been hastily -erected in the town.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Here they remained day and night, in -the midst of death and disease, at the bedside -of their stricken fellow-creatures until -the epidemic ceased. Strange to say, not -one of the Sisters contracted the disease, although -numbers of their patients died each -day.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Only two of those heroines of charity and -self-sacrifice now survive: Sister M. Theresia -and Sister M. Perpetua. These two Sisters, -feeble and aged, were obliged to take -flight into Holland last September, but have -now returned, with several others, to their -Convent home in Willebroeck.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span> - <h2 id='IV' class='c004'>CHAPTER IV.<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>The Cloister.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Proceeding from the little Grotto of -Lourdes, where the Sisters kneel in the evening -for their “Drie Wees Gegroeten” (three -Hail Marys), one passes through the large, -stone-paved playground, over the small -yard, and enters the corridor leading to the -Chapel.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Passing through the yard, we observe the -Novitiate on the left. This may be considered -the preparatory school of religious life. -Here no one is received under the age of -twenty-one, without full consent of parents -or guardians. Immediately a regular course -of training begins, in which the duties and -obligations of religious life are clearly presented. -No applicant is permitted to take -the vows who has not voluntarily responded -to the requirements of the Novitiate.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Before taking the vows, every postulant, -if not satisfied, is perfectly free to return to -her own home. Thus the obligations which -bind one to religious life are not incurred -<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>by entering a Convent or taking the veil, as -some people suppose, but by the solemn and -voluntary pronunciation of the vows, which -in our Community may not take place without -special dispensation, in less than a year -after receiving the habit. In the Novitiate -a Training Class has been established for -those who intend to teach school. If not already -graduates, this course is usually followed -by the novice, who later enters the -Normal School.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The experiences of the Novitiate make a -life-long impression on the mind, and are -regarded by the religious of more mature -years as the scenes of childhood in the home -circle are looked upon by the people of the -world.</p> - -<p class='c006'>On the right of the hall is seen the large -folding door leading to the Community -room of the Sisters. This apartment, especially -devoted to the private use of the “professed -members,” is never entered by the -worldling, except with special permission -from higher authority, and then only in case -of necessity, as, for instance, a workman, for -necessary repairs.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>Enter then in spirit this earthly paradise -and try, if possible, to comprehend the -charm which permeates it. Here we meet -rich and poor, old and young. They call -each other “Sister.” They greet in passing -with these words, “Geloofd Zij Jezus Christus” -(Praised Be Jesus Christ), to atone for -the profane use of the sacred Name by the -vulgar.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The Sisters are all dressed alike; thus, no -vain love of dress, no envy, no jealousy. -They lose no precious time at the dressing -table, and no money is wasted in following -the vagaries and follies of every changing -season. Their food is the same (exceptions -being made for the sick and feeble), simple -and substantial, neither rich nor dainty. -The result is, as a rule, a measure of health -and physical strength unknown in the circles -of society.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The rules and regulations to which they -voluntarily subject themselves relieve them -of all care and encumbrance as to the future. -Each member performs her work as faithfully -and diligently as possible; and the -good “All Father” provides. They join -<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>each other in prayer and in the recreation. -They assist each other in pain, in sickness -and sorrow, and comfort one another in the -hour of death.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The work of the members is not the same. -Each has a special office or work to perform.</p> - -<p class='c006'>As the different organs of the body co-operate -in preserving life, and even the -smallest screw in the locomotive is necessary -to the accomplishment of its work, so does -each member contribute to the spiritual life -and well-being of the Community.</p> - -<p class='c006'>From this place is banished all that makes -life miserable for millions of people. That -is, particularly, the great desire of worldly -possession—having, ever having, and never -having enough—also, the ever-increasing desire -and search for pleasure, pastime and -self-satisfaction; but finding only pain, chagrin -and remorse; that is, finally, the insatiable -desire for freedom from all bonds -and fetters which sanctify the soul and keep -the body in restraint; and while thus seeking -liberty, one finds, as a rule, in himself a -most cruel tyrant for master.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>The Sisters retire at an appointed hour -and arise at the first sound of the bell. They -work faithfully and industriously all day -long, all year long, all their lives.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Their wages are neither gold nor silver. -They are the eternal merits which they -know awaits them in a better life. The false -and artificial customs of the world are -strangers here. This short and sorrowful -life is looked upon as a pilgrimage in a land -of exile, or as the passage of a train from -which the traveler joyfully observes the -fleeting objects along the route, well knowing -that every disappearing mile-post reduces -the distance between him and his -dearly beloved home.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The Sisterhood is as a garden of many -flowers, where the pure white lily never -loses its beauty, where the red rose of love -has made place for the pure white blossom -of Christian Charity; and the fragrant little -violet of humility diffuses incense to the -angels who ascend and descend about the -Throne of God.</p> - -<p class='c006'>People often condole the Religious closed -up within the prison walls of the Convent -<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>and forever deprived of the joys and pleasures -of the world. Little they know that -within these same walls the heart is as free -as the flight of the bird, while the soul in -solitude is in constant communion with God, -whose Divine Presence is felt in the life that -surrounds her.</p> - -<p class='c006'>She hears His voice in the gentle sigh of -the breeze, in the hum of the bee, in the song -of the bird and in the soft murmur of the -little brooklet breaking over the mountainside. -His wonderful attributes become visible -to a certain degree in every object -around her. She admires His Divine Providence -in the fatherly care which He takes -of His creatures. Even the tiniest insect -and the smallest blade of grass show forth -the love, wisdom and the goodness of God.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The soul in solitude, hidden within the -Convent walls, admires the grandeur and -glory of God as manifested in the majestic -rising and setting of the sun, and its influence -over all nature. God’s beauty is seen -in the color of the clouds and in the ever-varying -tints of the sky. The fragrance of -the flowers reminds her of the odor of sanctity -<span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>which a Christian should leave in his -wake; and if, as sometimes occurs, one observes -anything which mars the beautiful -face of Nature or disturbs the peaceful -course of events, it brings to mind the revolting -sight of a soul in sin and the remorse -and confusion it must suffer.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The wave on the ocean’s breast; those -giant rocks on the shore; the mountains and -little hills; the river flowing on to the sea; -the moss and ferns in the wood; in a word, -every object in and around proclaim to the -religious the omnipotence and omnipresence -of Him who created them.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The soul detached from the temporal, and -seeking only the eternal, forsakes the creature -to find the Creator; and, having found -Him, has found what her heart desired.</p> - -<p class='c006'>What are, then, the pleasures of earth to -those who have tasted the sweetness of -Grace; more delicious than the luxuries of -a thousand worlds? They speak no more -of the past, since for them a new and happier -life has begun. With eyes and hearts -fixed on heaven, they have forgotten the -earth and, enraptured, cry out:</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>“Laetatus sum in his qui dicta sunt mihi; -in domum domini ibimus.” (I was rejoiced -at those things which were said to me: We -shall go into the house of the Lord.)</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span> - <h2 id='V' class='c004'>CHAPTER V.<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>The Approaching Storm.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>July’s sun sank gently away on the western -horizon, and its last rays lit up the ripening -fruit, the plants and flowers in the -garden. It seemed to linger for a last farewell -to the groups of merry children who, -unconscious of their fast-approaching woe, -were cheerfully singing Belgium’s well-known -national song, “The Proud Flemish -Lion.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>In a few moments the “Golden Gate” -closed on a field of purple haze, shutting out -that blessed glimpse of heaven, while the -black shroud of the most dismal night in -history darkened the sky of that hapless nation.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The Sisters were together in the evening -recreation of that fateful day, when word -was received that King Albert of Belgium, -in order to fulfill his obligations of neutrality, -had refused the Kaiser’s army access -to his territory to attack the French. -Had a thunderbolt fallen from a clear sky, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>or an earthquake shaken the ground under -foot, it would scarcely have surprised or terrorized -the people more than did the Kaiser’s -declaration of war against this free and -happy little kingdom.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When hostilities broke out between Austria -and Servia, while realizing the possibility -of trouble in the country in case of a -general war, we were assured that Belgium, -being a neutral nation and having no other -desire than that of possessing her own soil, -and living in peace with all nations, had -nothing to fear from war or invasion.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Feeble human insight into the designs of -Providence, whose hand has the power to -destroy and rebuild, to crown or dethrone -kings and kaisers, and seal the fate of nations.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It is not our object to discuss the causes of -the present European war from a material -point of view, nor do we intend to pass judgment -upon the nations or individuals engaged -in it; nevertheless, viewing the present -condition of affairs in Europe from another -standpoint, and drawing conclusions -from observation and personal experience, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>we must admit that a spiritual warfare had -been raging there for several years.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Certainly, God, who is the source of peace, -virtue and every good, should have been -permitted to hold sovereign sway in His -own kingdom; that is, in the hearts of His -children and in the homesteads of His people. -This right was disregarded in a most -ruthless manner for many years, as is evident -from the fact that the word “<i>God</i>” and -everything pertaining to God, was expunged -from the text-books in some places in -Europe, while it would have been a serious -offense for a teacher to mention His sacred -name or anything in connection therewith -in the classroom.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The spirit of atheism and agnosticism -contended against the Spirit of Religion, -and as a scourging wind was fast sweeping -over the land, leaving by the wayside thousands -of incautious souls bereft of all ennobling -possessions of mind and heart.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The vices and vanities of pagan Rome -were reviving before our very eyes in about -the same manner as they had been prevalent -over twenty hundred years ago; and, although -<span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>idolatrous shrines were not found in -the homesteads, they could easily be found -in the hearts of many people.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Modern life in Europe, especially in the -large cities, had to a certain degree, lost its -high ideal of perfection, as did the world in -the time of Noah; and, consequently, it does -not seem indiscreet to intimate that the -same Supremacy which chastised the world -in the great flood, has, for the same reason, -reappeared and become manifest in the -deluge of blood which now inundates the -soil of those unhappy nations.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Civilization, wealth, industry and intellect -developed in times of peace and prosperity, -so as to reach apparently the limit -of effort, have exhausted their entire resources -up to this time to construct means -suitable for destroying themselves.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Now the question has been asked, “Why -could not Christianity, after a period of -about twenty hundred years on earth, have -prevented this cruel war and saved the -honor of civilization?” The answer is not -difficult to find. Christianity could and -would have saved humanity from this -<span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>dreadful misfortune had it not been for the -fact that her power had been checked, her -authority limited, her work hindered and -her ranks weakened by those heavy storms -which, though unable to uproot the Divine -Institution, have impeded her progress and -lessened her influence over the human race.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When the happy day dawns in which the -true spirit of Christianity, free and unfettered, -will animate civilization as the soul -animates the body, then, and not till then, -will its powerful influence be able to dispel -the shades of darkness in the minds of men, -and in the palaces of kings and kaisers. -Then will war cease and the reign of peace -and happiness begin.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span> - <h2 id='VI' class='c004'>CHAPTER VI.<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Changes.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>When our minds, bewildered by the unexpected -course which affairs had taken, -fully comprehended that the country was at -war, a feeling of dismay and terror, never -before experienced, took possession of all.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Suitable measures were adopted for the -safety of the children under our care, to -whom the usual prizes were distributed on -the first Sunday in August, a week before -the ordinary time of vacation. Permission -was also given them to return to their homes -the following day. All necessary preparations -were made as quickly as possible, and -early next morning the boarders, accompanied -by one or more Sisters, departed in -groups to their homes in the surrounding -cities and towns.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The parochial and public schools of the -village continued in session for a few days, -as the children were all residents, and no -immediate danger was anticipated.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>Subsequently, while the train containing -a party of our pupils en route for Mechelen -(Malines) was steaming on at full speed, it -was hailed by a troop of Belgian soldiers, -and instantly slackened up. All passengers -were obliged to alight and, with satchels -and small baggage in hand, had to make -their way to the city as best they could, a -walk of an hour or more. The soldiers -boarded the train, which immediately -started off to another station.</p> - -<p class='c006'>At home the general cleaning and arrangement -of the Boarding-school began, -and in a few days the united assistance of -strong hands and willing hearts have accomplished -the work, and the Sisters quietly -await developments.</p> - -<p class='c006'>During this time several workmen were -busy excavating a cellar in the yard. On a -certain morning the implements remained -idly standing by the wall, as the workmen -had been called out to assist in the all-important -work of strengthening the fortification -of Willebroeck. This cellar, half filled -with water by the dislodgment of the pipes -leading to the cisterns, became later the receptacle -<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>of the bomb which passed through -the chapel, shattering the walls and windows -in its course.</p> - -<p class='c006'>One night a great noise in the streets -aroused the residents of Willebroeck. It -was the call for several classes of soldiers -who were obliged to rise, pack their kits -and depart in a few hours, perhaps never -more to return to their homes or families. -Sorrow filled many a homestead that morning, -but it was only a faint shadow of what -was yet to come.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Shortly afterwards it was announced that -all the horses were to be brought to the public -market-place in each city and village. -Here they were examined and those unfit rejected. -We know not whether any compensation -was given to the owners at this time, -although promise was made to make good -the loss sustained at the close of the war. -All the horses which could be of any service -had to be given up for the use of the army. -There were some people who gave seven, -some nine, and one, we knew, who gave thirteen -or fourteen. Thus, just about the time -that the harvest was ripe in the fields, men -<span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>and horses had to leave home and go to meet -death on the field of battle. Imagine the -plight of women and children, with every -kind of hard work on hand and no one to -help. How happy they were when, as happened -occasionally, their poor old horses -were rejected by the officers. Shortly thereafter -all the bicycles and motor cars had to -be delivered, and yet neither complaint nor -murmur was heard on the part of the people, -who patiently resigned themselves to -the unhappy lot which had befallen them.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The gazettes and daily papers were eagerly -read, although little reliable information -could be obtained. Encouraging news -in the evening was usually contradicted in -the morning, while reports of the most terrible -atrocities; of men murdered in cold -blood; of open and gross lawlessness and -evil conduct, terrorized the peaceful population -in the unprotected towns and villages.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Shortly after the war began letters were -received from His Eminence, Card. Mercier, -Archbishop of Malines, requesting the -use of the schools and other locales for a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>military hospital to be placed at the service -of the Red Cross.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Again a few days of quiet anticipation -elapse, like the calm which precedes a -destructive storm; while the Sisters utilize -the time in the unusual occupation of changing -the joyful abode of children into a fit -dwelling for death and misery.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The children’s refectory was arranged -for the care of wounded officers; the large -reception hall was fitted up for wounded -soldiers, also the three dormitories and several -classrooms. One classroom became an -office for chaplain and doctors. Another -department became an operating room. Another -was reserved for cases of contagious -disease which might occur, while another -room was used as a mortuary.</p> - -<p class='c006'>One Sunday morning, about the middle -of August, an unusual tumult was heard on -the street. The door bell was loudly rung, -and a messenger admitted with news that -the officers of the Belgian War Department -had commanded everything within firing -range of the fortress to be cleared away at -once. For some time previous the soldiers -<span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>had been busy cutting down the groves and -all the trees in the immediate vicinity of the -fortress. The poor people were given just -three hours to get away with bag and baggage.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Willebroeck, a large village between Antwerp -and Brussels, about two miles from -the City of Boom, had increased greatly in -population, wealth and manufacturing during -the years of peace and prosperity which -had elapsed since the last war. Thus it -happened that stores, dwelling houses, farm -houses, breweries, paper mills and other industries -had been built up, regardless of the -fortification near by, whose grass-covered -walls concealed the strong masonry and -heavy cannon within.</p> - -<p class='c006'>This was a terrible misfortune for about -six hundred families, whose dwellings, being -located within the limits prescribed, -had to be leveled to the ground. Even the -tombstones in the cemetery, together with -all the crops, trees, haystacks, barns and -everything within range of the gaping -mouths of the cannon, had to be laid flat or -taken away.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>No wonder that the people raced to and -fro that hot Sunday morning, carrying bundles, -dragging wagons with household furniture -and fixtures; wheeling trunks, clothing, -stoves, pictures, bedding and every article -that could be taken up and carried -away. Tears and perspiration rolled over -the cheeks of men and women, whose faces -glowed from the heat and intense excitement.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Fortunately, the first message was followed -by another whereby the people were -allowed more time to get their personal -property in safety before the work of “burning -off” began. Impossible to describe how -bitterly hard it was for these poor people to -tear themselves away from the homes which -had cost them so much toil, labor and hardship.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The new Sewing School and laundry, the -Parochial School, the Girls’ Public School, -the Patronage (Boys’ Catholic School), -and all other large locales received the village -refugees. In a short time cows, horses, -chickens, coal, grain, vegetables, furniture -and everything that one can well imagine -<span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>filled up the schools and gardens. The cattle, -unused to the change and flurry, set up a -dreadful howling, which continued long -into the night.</p> - -<p class='c006'>In one schoolroom we had the contents of -a grocery store; in another the costly furniture -of one of the richest gentlemen in the -town; while several families took up their -abode in the midst of the clothing, furniture -and bedding in the schools. How we all -worked that day, carrying out desks and -piling them up in safe places, putting away -books, school utensils—as many as possible -in the least possible space. Every available -spot on the ground was utilized, except -those rooms assigned to the private use of -the Sisters, and the Boarding-school, which -was reserved for the use of the Red Cross.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The poor people resigned themselves to -these changes without complaint or murmur; -and the Sisters, notwithstanding the -disorder and confusion caused by this state -of affairs, did all that was possible to assist -and make them comfortable.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span> - <h2 id='VII' class='c004'>CHAPTER VII.<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>War.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>It is only when a common calamity, such -as this, threatens not only the happiness, but -also the very existence, of a whole nation, -and the inundating tide of misfortune rises -to the very doors of rich and poor, that the -fountains of true Christian Charity spring -open and lave with refreshing draughts the -parched lips of the afflicted. The same burden -that one bears on his shoulder is borne -in the heart of another, who, while alleviating -the wants of his neighbor, must think of -his own approaching ruin.</p> - -<p class='c006'>In such moments, while the seal of humble -submission is stamped on the sorrow-stricken -heart of suffering humanity, the -haughty arrogance of creatures recedes before -that resistless Power which shapes the -destinies of men and nations, despite the -best-laid plans and precautions.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The work of “burning off” the houses did -not proceed rapidly enough, as the walls -were of stone, and the roofs of tile or slate, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>and much of the wooden furniture had been -removed, so pulleys, brought into action by -electricity, were adjusted to the walls, and -thus these houses, so dear to the hearts of -the people, were actually pulled over upon -the ground. Whole streets had to be leveled -and all the residents left without a shelter. -Many of these did not possess the means of -providing other homes. However, the firm -hope of final victory and the restoration of -their lost property sustained them in this -dark and dreary hour.</p> - -<p class='c006'>In the meantime a most terrible battle -was taking place at the fortification of -Liege. Was ever attack so strong, or resistance -more determined? Belgian officers -said “The enemy were twenty to one -against us; but, being obliged to face the -terrible fires of the fortress, their ranks -were cut down in about the same manner as -wheat it cut off by the reaper.” “So great -was the number of the Germans that they -seemed to spring up out of the ground.” -“They crawled ahead on hands and feet, and -at a given signal sprang erect and fired, and -then again prostrated themselves. Thus -<span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>they advanced, avoiding as much as possible -the heavy fires in front.” Another Belgian -officer at the fortress during the battle -said: “It resembled a storm of fiery hailstones -from a cloud of smoke, in an atmosphere -suffocating with heat and the smell of -powder.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>Eyewitnesses relate that heaps of slain, -yards high, were found on the battle field, -while columns of lifeless bodies were observed -in a standing position, there being no -place for the dead to fall.</p> - -<p class='c006'>A story was told by one of the Belgian -officers of a German soldier who, when -wounded by a Belgian in a hand-to-hand -combat, took out a coin and presented it. -The Belgian, surprised, exclaimed “Zijt gij -zot?” (Are you crazy?) “Do you not know -that I’ve broken your arm?” “Yes,” said -the German, “This is to show my gratitude -for the favor you’ve rendered me, since it -gives me the opportunity of leaving the battle -field.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>Much was said about the valor of the soldiers -on both sides during the siege of Liege. -The Germans were obliged to advance in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>the face of destructive fires. If one should -retreat, he would be pierced by the bayonet -of the soldier behind him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Certain it is, whether we observe the Germans -as friends or foes, all must admit that -their courage, endurance and military tactics -have surprised the whole world.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Sad it is to think that such manhood, intelligence -and bravery is not trained to love -the conquests of peace.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The Belgians, far inferior in number, -fought with a valor which clearly shows -the undying love of country and of freedom -which has ever been a distinguishing characteristic -of this noble-minded race.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It is not the first time that her fields have -been deluged with the blood of her heroes, -in whose honor and memory we find, in the -flag of Belgium, beside the yellow, which -signifies the kingdom, a red stripe to remind -her people of the blood shed for freedom, -and a black stripe in mourning for her slain.</p> - -<p class='c006'>While facing death in this first great battle -at the fortress of Liege, one of the soldiers -began to sing the well-known national -hymn, “The Proud Flemish Lion.” Immediately -<span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>the strains were taken up by the -whole regiment, and thus singing, they advanced -until hundreds of them fell in that -awful conflict.</p> - -<p class='c006'>In the heaviest of the fray we were told -that King Albert had placed himself in the -lines with his soldiers. He did not desire -to be called king, but comrade. His military -dress was distinguished from the others -by only a small mark on one of the sleeves. -He attended to the correspondence for his -soldiers and was regarded by them as a -friend and father, under whose guidance -they were ready to fight and die.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When the siege was over he visited the -wounded in many of the hospitals and addressed -each soldier in person.</p> - -<p class='c006'>As I remember, the siege of Liege lasted -about two weeks. Finally, the strong walls -of the fortress began to give way, thus demonstrating -the uselessness of the old-time -means of protection when obliged to withstand -the shells and bombs of modern siege -guns.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The German officers themselves praised -the valor of the Belgians. We were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>told that the German commander refused -to accept the sword from the Belgian officer, -unwilling to submit the latter to this humiliation, -since it was not for want of valor or -through any fault of his that the fort had to -be surrendered, but on account of the superior -forces of the enemy and the all-destroying -power of his heavy siege guns, -some of which were said to shoot a distance -of nearly thirty miles.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Needless to dwell upon the horrors which -took place throughout the length and -breadth of the country after the entrance of -the enormous army of the Germans, whose -plans had been so unexpectedly frustrated -by the determined resistance of the Belgians.</p> - -<p class='c006'>These fought long and valiantly in expectation -of assistance from the Allies, who, unprepared -for the sudden progress of the -campaign, were unable to render the necessary -assistance in the beginning of the war. -This is the explanation which was given by -both the French and English as to the tardiness -in the arrival of the help expected -from those countries.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>After the fall of Liege, when the enemy -entered the city, the Rt. Rev. Bishop of the -diocese, the Burgomaster of the city and -several others of the more prominent residents -were taken prisoners as hostages. -These, as a rule, are put to death if the requirements -of the enemy be not exactly met.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Some time later we heard that these hostages -were set at liberty.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Then followed the destruction of many -cities, towns and villages along the route, -including the noted City of Louvain, the -heart of Catholic Belgium, the principal -place of her Christian educational institutions, -and the seat of her missionary forces.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Consternation filled the minds of the Belgians -at the needless destruction of this ancient -city, with its treasures of art and sculpture, -its schools, colleges, libraries, and particularly -its world-renowned university.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span> - <h2 id='VIII' class='c004'>CHAPTER VIII.<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>The Carnage of Battle.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>After the fall of Liege and Namur, the -destruction of Louvain and a number of -noted cities, towns and villages, our minds -were concerned with that awe-inspiring -event—the advance of the enemy to Brussels.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Well do we remember that beautiful summer -evening, when our prayers and evening -meditation in the chapel were disturbed for -about an hour by the continuous whirl of -automobiles passing the Convent. We were -told that evening that it was the departure of -the legislative body from Brussels to Antwerp, -with the archives and treasures of the -Government.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Our hearts seemed to grow cold and leaden -within us as we sat there hoping, praying, -fearing, yet instinctively feeling the doom so -rapidly approaching.</p> - -<p class='c006'>One gloomy, rainy day, word came that -over two thousand soldiers of the Civil -Guard had lowered their weapons at the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>approach of the enemy and quietly surrendered -the City of Brussels, Belgium’s beautiful -capital. To have fought without fortifications -against such superior forces as the -Germans possessed would have been a useless -sacrifice of life.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Strict, in the extreme, were the regulations -enforced by the Germans in the different -places which they entered. They also -levied enormous war taxes. Bold and undaunted -even to the verge of imprudence, as -was then remarked by the Belgians, was the -conduct of Burgomaster Max, of Brussels, -in his conduct toward the enemy.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The work of strengthening and completing -the fortification of Willebroeck, said to -be amongst the strongest in the world, continued, -while a large number of soldiers, as -watch guards, were constantly on duty.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The electricity which supplied light to -the village and kept many a motor propelling, -was entirely cut off from the houses and -public buildings and concentrated at the -fort.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Two thousand workmen engaged in the -paper factories of Mr. Louis De Naeyer -<span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>were out of work. Charitable ladies, aided -by Madame De Naeyer, of the Castle of -Willebroeck, and assisted in the work by -some of the Sisters, met daily at the Boys’ -Public School and made ready a good, -strong soup, which was dealt out in cans or -pitchers to the destitute families of these -poor workmen.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The paper factories, the Castle of Blaesvelt, -belonging to a former Belgian Ambassador -to Washington, whose wife was a native -of that city, and the large and newly -equipped breweries of the Erix families, -were stripped of their machinery and made -to serve as fortresses by boring holes through -their walls for the reception of cannon and -<i>mettrailleusen</i> (machine guns). The paper -factory itself, commanding a good position -near the bridge of the canal, was so arranged -that it could be flooded at a moment’s warning; -and this was actually done, as we were -informed by the refugees in England, when -the battle at the fortress took place prior to -the fall of Antwerp.</p> - -<p class='c006'>During the progress of the campaign in -the vicinity at that time, several occurrences -<span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>affected, in a great measure, every -aspect of daily life for the quiet residents -of Willebroeck, and particularly for the -Sisters, unaccustomed as they were to any -participation in the affairs of the world, except -such as were imperative for the direction -and maintenance of their schools.</p> - -<p class='c006'>These were: First, the arrival of the Red -Cross and wounded soldiers, some six weeks -before our departure from Antwerp; second, -the return of the army; third, the flight -of the refugees; fourth, the daily increasing -and ever nearer approaching roar of the -cannonade.</p> - -<p class='c006'>One afternoon in the middle of August a -large, heavy wagon was drawn into the -yard. It bore the flag of the Red Cross on -top, and on the side in great white letters the -words “Military Hospital.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>In a few minutes a fleshy little gentleman, -who at once distinguished himself as the -“Chef” (chief), and a number of other gentlemen, -about thirty-five in all, wearing -white bands with red crosses on their arms, -and long white linen coats over their uniforms, -such as bakers sometimes wear, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>were seen hurrying to and fro, unpacking -and carrying their various instruments and -utensils to the operating room.</p> - -<p class='c006'>A military chaplain and four or more -doctors accompanied the group. All except -the chaplain were dressed in uniform. Several -young ladies of Willebroeck, former -members of our Boarding-school, dressed in -white and wearing the head-dress and arm-band -of the Red Cross, came next day and -graciously presented themselves to aid in -taking care of the wounded.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The services rendered by the Red Cross -in time of war is simply inestimable. “When -circumstances permit, there are three different -posts or places where the wounded are -treated,” said the village doctor who assisted -in training the young lady volunteers to the -Red Cross army. “The first post is only a -few yards distant from the battle field and -as near as possible to the firing line. This -post is very dangerous. Only volunteers -are sent there, as a rule. The members go -out on the field in search of the wounded, -amid the continual bursting of partially exploded -shells. One careless step may cause -<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>serious wounds or instant death. Then -again, after a battle has been fought, there -is occasional shooting, even in the night; but -the members of the Red Cross have consecrated -themselves to the service of the sick -and wounded soldiers, and God gives them -strength and courage according to their necessities.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>When found, the wounded are brought -into the first post on stretchers or in ambulance -wagons, and only those attentions -which are absolutely necessary are given. -Then they are taken to the second post or -hospital, where a more thorough examination -takes place and the necessary operations -are performed, which consist principally in -the extraction of bullets, setting and amputation -of broken limbs, etc.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Here they remain until they become convalescent, -unless the number of wounded -soldiers increases to such a degree as to prevent -proper care being taken of them, in -which case they are taken away to a third -hospital, where they are supposed to remain -until their wounds are entirely healed. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>Then they ardently desire, if not maimed, -to return again to the front.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When a seriously wounded soldier is -brought into the hospital, he is stripped of -his clothing, wrapped in a sheet and carried -to the operating room. This service is -rendered by the gentlemen of the Red -Cross. One or more of the lady nurses assist -at the operation. If the soldier is mortally -wounded and there is apprehension of -immediate dissolution, he remains in the -sheets and is lovingly cared for by these gentlemen -until death occurs. Then the body -is rolled in the sheet, placed in a coffin and -buried the next day.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Coffins were provided by our village for -the soldiers who died in our hospital. One -day nine were carried away to the cemetery; -another day, two; then one or two. Several -were dead or at the point of death -when they were brought into the hospital.</p> - -<p class='c006'>One poor factory woman came inquiring -for her husband. We did not dare tell her -that he died immediately when brought in, -but left this sad task for Rev. Mother Superior.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>On another day a woman and her daughter-in-law -came from a great distance inquiring -for her son, the young woman’s husband. -Heart-rending was their anguish -when they were told that he was already -a week buried. These and numberless cases -of like character indicate what war is, even -when viewed from a favorable standpoint.</p> - -<p class='c006'>All the clothing of the wounded soldiers -was carried at once to our new steam laundry, -where it underwent a most thorough -washing and disinfection. This clothing -was, for the most part, stiff with mud, -saturated with blood and badly torn. When -dried it was given back to those in charge -of the army. The Sisters and servant-maids -performed this work. They were assisted -by the women refugees of Willebroeck, -whose houses were burned off on account of -the fortress. Washing took place every day -and continued until late in the night.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The condition of the poor maimed soldiers -was sad to behold. One man, we were -told by the Red Cross nurses, had twenty -bullets in his body; another was pierced -through the lung by a bayonet; one, aged -<span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>twenty, lost an arm to the shoulder; one had -only one or two fingers left on the hand; -one was crazed by a bullet which touched -the brain; another was shot through the -mouth, the bullet lodging in the back of the -throat. His case was especially distressing, -his the most intense suffering of all. He -lived for a week without eating, drinking -or speaking.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Three wounded Germans were brought -in, being picked up on the battle field by -members of our division of the Red Cross. -They seemed greatly distressed and afraid, -positively refusing to touch food or drink -of which the Sisters or nurses did not first -partake. One was a German lieutenant, -under whose direction, as he himself admitted, -great damage had been done in one -of the large cities. He was given the -distinction of a bed among the Belgian -officers. He was very ill at ease in their -presence, in the beginning, but becoming -reassured and observing the impartiality of -Sisters and nurses, he desired to remain in -our hospital rather than be removed to a -third post.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>One day we were called upon to witness -a most sorrowful sight. A small farmer’s -wagon drove up to the gate, bearing the lifeless -bodies of two children, a girl aged eight -and her brother, aged fourteen. The mother -and a smaller child were also in the wagon. -The mother related that they were taking -flight as refugees. Seeing the enemy, they -hastened to retreat, and were fired at by the -soldiers. The children, who were in the -back part of the wagon, were struck and -wounded in a most frightful manner. The -little girl’s face was nearly all torn off, and -the back of the boy’s head had been shattered.</p> - -<p class='c006'>At the approach of Belgian soldiers, who -fired at the enemy, the mother was enabled -to pick up the lifeless bodies of her children, -put them into the wagon and drive with -them to our hospital, which was the nearest -post.</p> - -<p class='c006'>These people were from Nieuwenrode, -Province of Brabant. It was said that -many German soldiers were in ambush, in -this region, although no battle had occurred -there. The Doctors Van Everbroeck and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>DeLatte, who examined the bodies of these -children, stated that they were shot at a distance -of twenty meters.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The mother, suffering greatly from the -shock, and the remaining child were taken -to the village hospital.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Flour, soap and washing soda were supplied -by the Government for the use of the -soldiers. The Sisters performed the work -and used a great deal of their own provisions -for the wounded. A large quantity -of linen for sheets, gowns and hand towels, -was supplied by the “Chef” of the Red -Cross. The Sisters, when not engaged in -other work, spent the time in folding, hemming -and stitching these articles and in preparing -surgical dressings for the wounded.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Several Sisters and at least two lady nurses -remained in charge of the different wards -day and night. The most perfect order and -discipline prevailed. The wounded soldiers -who were at all able to get around walked -in the garden or rested and visited with -their families, who came to see them.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The tender care of mothers for their children -could not surpass the devoted kindness -<span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>of the members of the Red Cross in their -services to the wounded. Nothing that -could be done to assist or alleviate their sufferings -was omitted. The soldiers were to -each other as brothers of one family. We -have seen them carrying in, on stretchers, -their weary, foot-sore comrades, and with -the tenderest care take off the clumsy, muddy -shoes, gently strip the blistered feet of -the coarse stockings and, on bended knees, -bathe and bandage them.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The first division of the Red Cross which -came to our Hospital was with us about five -weeks. One evening about seven o’clock, -some time after Brussels had been occupied -by the Germans, a dispatch came to the -“Chef” commanding the Red Cross to leave -Willebroeck at once and go to another station. -Again there was hurrying to and fro. -The large wagon was opened and everything -hastily packed in. In the different -wards the poor wounded soldiers, obliged -to leave their beds, were sitting silent and -motionless, while tears were in their eyes. -Later in the night motor cars came and took -them all away. The German lieutenant, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>on account of the condition in which he was -found by the physicians, could not be removed -at that time and remained until the -departure of the second ambulance.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Preparations for the departure of the Red -Cross continued most of the night. With -the continual running back and forth, and -the noise produced by taking up and laying -down boxes and bundles, there was no rest -to be obtained.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Before seven in the morning all the wards -were empty. One or two soldiers, whose -condition did not permit of their removal, -still remained. All noise and commotion -had ceased and the silence of death reigned -in the house.</p> - -<p class='c006'>A day or two of repose would have been -a welcome boon to the Sisters, who were -much fatigued at that time. However, rest -was impossible, as we obtained a message -that another division of the Red Cross was -on its way to our hospital. So it happened -that all the rooms and various apartments -had to be cleaned and rearranged at once. -This work took place immediately. Two -days later, although the pungent smell of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>disinfectants still pervaded the air, every -ward was as neat and clean as if no wounded -soldiers, no death, nor sorrow had entered -there.</p> - -<p class='c006'>We did not know the cause of the sudden -departure of the Red Cross, as the strictest -secrecy was observed by the officers of the -army; but we remarked a little later that -this departure was necessary on account of -the rapid advance of the fast-approaching -enemy and the evident possibility of a heavy -pitched battle at the fortress. In such a case -the convalescent could not remain longer -than was absolutely necessary. They were -obliged to go in order to make place for the -numerous wounded who were yet to come.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span> - <h2 id='IX' class='c004'>CHAPTER IX.<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>The Return of the Army.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>A little after four o’clock one afternoon, -shortly before the departure of the first division -of the Red Cross, our attention was attracted -by the heavy and continuous tread of -cavalry and soldiers passing along the street. -It was the Belgian army returning from a -long and tiresome march.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Here was found a different kind of suffering -from that which was ministered to in -the hospital. Hunger and fatigue were -stamped upon the countenance of each of -these men, who, about a month before were -industrious citizens at their daily occupations.</p> - -<p class='c006'>We saw them marching away in the early -morning some time before, full of courage -and patriotic zeal. For what reason they -all marched off, or where they were going, -we knew not; but were informed later by -one of the officers that while on the march -they had been attacked by the enemy, who -were stealthily concealed, and fired into -<span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>their ranks from both sides of the road. Several -of the soldiers were killed and a large -number wounded, but, having retreated -promptly and in order, no great loss of life -was sustained.</p> - -<p class='c006'>There were in the ranks priests, in their -long black cassocks, wearing the arm-band -of the Red Cross, who, as volunteer chaplains, -had joined the army and were ever at -the service of the soldiers on the march, and -even on the battle field. We were informed -that priests, and those preparing for the -priesthood, were not obliged to serve in the -army in times of peace; but, in case of war, -they may be called upon to serve as military -chaplains. When the present war broke -out, hundreds of them joined as volunteers, -marching in the ranks with the soldiers and -undergoing their sufferings and hardships.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Many doctors rode along in motor cars. -They were distinguished by a special dark-colored -uniform, with a red collar and gilded -trimmings. They also wore the arm-band -of the Red Cross. Officers on horseback -led each division of the army. The -faces of all were disfigured with sweat and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>dust, while dust in abundance covered shoes -and clothing. Some were staggering along, -unable to walk straight, owing to the hard -shoes and blistered feet. Hollow-cheeked, -and with eyes which seemed to protrude -from their sockets, they passed along, piteously -imploring a morsel of bread.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Fortunately, the abundant supply of bread -in the Convent had just been increased by -the addition of forty of those immense -loaves found only in Belgium. All of this -was hastily cut, buttered and, with baskets -full of pears, dealt out, piece by piece, to -the passing soldiers, until, finally, only a -small portion remained over for the supper -of the wounded remaining in the hospital.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The servant maids went out to the village -later in search of bread, but there was not a -loaf to be found anywhere. All had been -given to the soldiers. Two Sisters and one -of the maids remained up all night. The -oven was again heated and the usual supply -of bread doubled.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Every large locale in the village from -which, by the way, all non-resident refugees -were obliged to depart, received the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>various divisions of the army which were -allotted to them. About two hundred soldiers -were assigned to those parts of our -Parochial School unoccupied by the village -refugees or not in use by the Red Cross.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Before the command was given to enter -the schools, we saw soldiers, among whom -were also priests, lying on the ground on the -opposite side of the street, even as horses -which, having run a great distance, fall -down from sheer exhaustion. Some of these, -we learned afterwards, did not have their -shoes off in nearly three weeks. The socks, -hard and worn out, were in some cases -stamped into the blistered feet in such a -manner as to cause excruciating pain. In -some cases the feet were so painful and swollen -that the patients had to be carried in on -stretchers. In the meantime, several ambulance -wagons had stopped at the school gate, -and numerous wounded were carried in.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When finally one division entered d’Externat, -a hasty search was begun for hay and -straw. All that could be found was carried -into the garret of the schools and the empty -classrooms.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>The refugees of Willebroeck were very -generous to the soldiers, giving them all the -provisions which they could find. Many -soldiers were seen with pails in their hands -in search of water. Of this there was a -good supply on the place, and more could -readily be obtained at the cistern which was -connected with the canal. In a short time -they were refreshed and cleansed from the -dust and sweat of that long and tiresome -march, and were observed sitting in groups -on the grass which surrounded the school.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Soon after a large door, which one of the -refugees carried away from his house in the -village before it was burned, was found. -This was laid on two small heaps of stone, -so as to form a table. About half an ox was -procured and a large part of it chopped into -small pieces and put into a big iron kettle, -which was then filled with water. The kettle -was placed on a wood fire kindled in the -garden, and potatoes and other ingredients -put into it. After a time it began to boil in -a lively manner, greatly to the satisfaction -of those poor hungry men who were so patiently -waiting for their supper. When this -<span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>finally was ready, the knapsacks were -opened and each took out a spoon and a -small tin can, the cover of which served for -plate, cup and saucer.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Probably the German General Staff failed -to enjoy their bounteous supper that evening -as well as did the poor Belgian soldiers their -soup on the cool green grass. It must be remarked -that each division was under the direction -of an officer, who placed armed -guards at the gates and passages. Perfect -order prevailed. They talked quietly among -themselves and remained strictly within the -places assigned to their use; only once in a -while one of them would knock at the -kitchen door and ask for a can of water, -which was soon understood to mean a can -of cold coffee. This was never refused, -and the grateful “Mercie” (thanks) was -ample reward for the service rendered.</p> - -<p class='c006'>That night passed quietly. The soldiers -had a good opportunity to rest on the hay -and straw which had been provided. Some -of them were astir at a very early hour. The -large kettle was again placed over the fire -and filled with water for the soldiers’ breakfast -<span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>of bread and black coffee. Their only -fear was that a message to depart would arrive -before they would have a chance of -“Coffie drinken” (drinking coffee, or breakfast).</p> - -<p class='c006'>At about eight o’clock one evening during -the stay of the soldiers an excited group of -eight men and two boys ran wildly into the -yard through the gate, which had been left -open for the soldiers not yet arrived. Great -drops of sweat were on their faces. They -were out of breath from running, and greatly -excited. Some were bare-footed, having -lost or thrown away their wooden shoes in -the great haste to escape the enemy, who, -they related, had entered a village three -or four miles distant and had taken as prisoners -a number of citizens and placed them -in front of their own ranks. The boys had -lost their parents in the confusion which ensued -and were crying bitterly. They found -a resting place somewhere in the schools -that night and departed early next morning, -because non-resident refugees were not permitted -to remain after the arrival of the Red -Cross.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>The soldiers were called away several -times for short intervals, after which they -again returned for a rest. Thus the month -of August passed. The frightful campaign -progressed slowly but surely. Several times -we had seen the hostile aeroplane, with its -shining armor glittering in the sunshine, flying -gracefully over our schools. How we -then feared for our wounded, so helplessly -lying within these same walls. One morning, -about three o’clock, we were suddenly -awakened by heavy, oft-repeated shooting, -which seemed to proceed from the farther -end of our garden. The alarm was caused -by the appearance of an aeroplane soaring -as a huge bird over the fortress. Mettrailleusen -opened fire upon it, and the unwelcome -visitor soon disappeared. However, -we all feared its reappearance in the night. -For this reason the towns and cities were -kept in total darkness from eight o’clock in -the evening, and searchlights illumined the -dark clouds over and around the fortresses -and other places of particular importance.</p> - -<p class='c006'>About this time we were informed that -several thousand of the enemy’s soldiers -<span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>were digging trenches and fortifying themselves -on all sides of us. Every newspaper -brought fresh tidings of most inhuman -atrocities which filled the minds of the people -with unspeakable horror.</p> - -<p class='c006'>In Belgium it was neither the German -nation nor her soldiers, considered as a -whole, who were held responsible for these -awful outrages, because it was well known -that there were among them many noble -characters and Christians, renowned for -their piety and fidelity to God and country, -who were sacrificing their lives for what -they thought to be a just and holy cause and -whose families were also suffering and sorrowing -at home.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It was alone, as should be known by everyone, -the Godless element in the German -army, led on and sustained by equally Godless -officers, who encouraged, permitted and -probably commanded those crimes, as we infer -from the testimony of German wounded -soldiers in our Red Cross hospitals. “If we -do not shoot, burn and pillage,” said one -of them, “we shall be shot ourselves.”</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>It seems incredible that any one claiming -Christian convictions of any creed or country, -could have acted as did the so-called -barbarians who despoiled many of the most -beautiful cities, towns and villages of Belgium.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span> - <h2 id='X' class='c004'>CHAPTER X.<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Anxious Days.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Early one morning, while passing through -the yard, we heard what seemed to be peals -of distant thunder. We looked around to see -if a storm was approaching, but as the sun -shone brightly and not a cloud was to be -seen in the sky, we soon realized what this -dismal sound implied. On entering the -Convent, we found several of our members -standing by the map of Belgium, tracing -the route of portions of the German army -then endeavoring to force their way through -to Antwerp.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The firing heard in the garden came from -the bombardment of the City of Mechelen. -The first attack did not continue so long, nor -was the damage so great, as in the attacks -which followed. The noise of the cannonade -increased from that day forward. Hardly -a day or night passed without bringing -the unwelcome sound from one or the other -direction. It often happened that, having -retired at a late hour after a long and fatiguing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>day’s work, the short repose was interrupted -by the explosion of bombs or cannon -balls, which, although then at a safe distance -from our village, was none the less -terrifying.</p> - -<p class='c006'>In this most cruel war battles continued -in the night as well as in the day. When -time was asked by either army to remove -the wounded, it was refused, because each -mistrusted the motives of the other, thinking -that, instead of removing the wounded, they -would utilize the time thus gained in preparing -for another attack.</p> - -<p class='c006'>About the first of September we went to -Antwerp for a day or two. While on the train -we saw the wires stretched from place to -place, and heard explained the intended use -of electricity at the fortress. Antwerp was -at that time, still and peaceful, as a child who -slumbered, feeling perfectly safe within her -lines of fortifications. About eight o’clock -in the evening every light had to be put out, -and the place resembled a city of the dead.</p> - -<p class='c006'>On returning about twelve o’clock on -Sunday, with the Sister who accompanied -me, we found some wounded brought in, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>who were pierced by bayonets at a short distance -from our house. Their condition was -critical, but they recovered sufficiently to be -taken to Antwerp within the following -week.</p> - -<p class='c006'>A day or two later, while crossing the -yard, we suddenly heard that sissing, crackling -sound of a shell or bomb flying through -the air in the direction of the church spire -which towered above the walls of the Convent -chapel. Several others followed in -quick succession. All the convalescent soldiers -who were in the yard, the Sisters and -ladies in the garden, hastened to take refuge -in the cellars.</p> - -<p class='c006'>We feared for the wounded soldiers within, -who could not leave their beds. Soon -the attack was answered by a heavy volley -from the fortress, and the cannonade continued -until early next morning.</p> - -<p class='c006'>A day or two later one of the refugees -visited the place where the cannonade of the -fortress had swept the entire region as if a -tornado had passed over it. On returning -he related that parts of human bodies hung -on the trees and filled the hedges.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>When the danger became imminent, the -older Sisters and those who were ill, or in -any way disabled, were advised by the Rev. -Superior to seek refuge in the more secluded -mission houses of the Community, and to -all who desired, permission was given to do -the same, or to return to their families for -the time being. This was done on account -of the inadvisability of any one’s remaining -at the convent during a battle, since the -buildings were in close proximity to the -fortress.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Some of the Sisters packed their trunks -and sent them to the homes of their families. -This precaution did not avail much, as the -families of many of our members had to -leave their homes as refugees and probably -lost all their personal property.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Although all were permitted to seek safety -in other places, only the older members -and two or three of the younger Sisters -availed themselves of the opportunity. All -save these gathered around the Superior and -her assistant, and promised voluntarily to -remain to the very last to assist in the care -of the wounded, whose number increased -<span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>daily since the arrival of the second division -of the Red Cross.</p> - -<p class='c006'>On several occasions spies were arrested -in Willebroeck and taken away. Some were -arrested in Brussels and Antwerp in the -garb of priests. It was authoritatively reported -that supplies of weapons and ammunition, -among which was dynamite, were -found in public buildings in Antwerp, carefully -hidden away in the basements. This -aroused distrust on the part of the Belgians -for the resident Germans, whom they had -always treated with the greatest confidence -and respect.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The result was that all the Germans then -in Belgium were expelled from the country -and had to return to their own land. This -was, indeed, a hardship for the unoffending -resident Germans, whose homes for years -had been in the cities and towns of this little -kingdom.</p> - -<p class='c006'>We retired at a late hour one night amid -the incessant booming of cannon. Scarcely -were our eyes closed when some one passed -in the dormitory and knocked at each door. -“Ave Maria” was the quiet greeting. “Deo -<span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>Gratias,” the response. “What is it?” was -asked. “The Germans have entered and are -crossing the bridge,” was the reply.</p> - -<p class='c006'>With beating heart and trembling limbs, -each sprang up and was dressed in a few -minutes. In a state of great excitement, all -stood in the hall ready to receive orders -from the Superior, who had gone downstairs -to make inquiries about the situation. -At the first sound of the alarm a party of -soldiers and their officer went out to ascertain -the facts in the case, as the bridge -where the enemy were said to be crossing -was not far distant.</p> - -<p class='c006'>All the inhabitants of the village were on -the alert. By the time the Sisters were ready -to depart, the soldiers had returned, whose -officer laughingly related that it was only a -party of Belgian “Lanciers” in gray uniform, -whom the Burgomaster of Blaesvelt -had mistaken for German soldiers, and -thought it his duty to spread the alarm.</p> - -<p class='c006'>All retired quietly to their rooms once -more, but no one rested much the remainder -of the night.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>Then followed anxious days for the residents -of Willebroeck, who expected momentarily -to hear the alarm clock in the -church tower give notice to flee for their -lives. The officers of the Belgian army -were very sanguine, and assured the Superior -and those in charge of the wounded -that timely notice would be given if the danger -increased.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Nevertheless, the crackling of shells, the -heavy cannonade from the fortress and field -cannon, and the occasional proximity of -those hostile aeroplanes, together with the -reports of atrocities and destruction taking -place around us, were fearsome in the extreme.</p> - -<p class='c006'>In striking contrast to the noise and commotion -on all sides, was the calm tranquility -which reigned in the chapel. The -Sacred Heart stretched forth that same Fatherly -hand which assisted the apostle sinking -on the Sea of Galilee. The altar was -still and solitary, but the little red light -flickered in the sanctuary lamp and told of -Him whose word alone stilled the winds -and calmed the angry waves.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>In the circumstances which then existed, -one would almost envy the dead resting so -quietly in the old-time vault, in the shadow -of the tabernacle.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Lights were forbidden after a certain -hour, but the moon shone through the -stained windows and wrought fantastic designs -on the gilded molding, while the mild -and peaceful looks which characterize the -images of the saints told of heroism and -victories won on the battle field of life, in -the pursuit of peace and sanctity, and carried -the mind to that future and better life -where neither the pride, avarice, nor ambition -of man can ever destroy the eternal -peace, nor break the impregnable union of -hearts.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span> - <h2 id='XI' class='c004'>CHAPTER XI.<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>The Flight of the Refugees.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>While the aforesaid events were taking -place, sorrowful scenes were witnessed -along the streets. Our attention and sympathies -were particularly attracted to the flight -of the refugees. In this case we could give -no material assistance, as we were able to do -in other cases.</p> - -<p class='c006'>For hours and days and weeks the doleful -procession passed along the streets; a living -stream made up of all ranks and classes -of society. Here were seen the poor old -farmer’s household, whose sons had gone to -the front; and young married women, with -small children in their arms or by their -sides, whose husbands had to don the soldier’s -uniform and go to the war. The sick, -the old and the feeble were taken from their -beds of suffering and, with shawls or blankets -thrown over their shoulders, placed in -carts or wagons and carried away, perhaps, -to perish by the roadside. We have seen -<span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>cripples and small children hurriedly driven -along the street in wheelbarrows.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Packages carried on their arms, on their -backs, or in little carts were about all that -the poor people could take, and all that they -desired, so confident were they of a speedy -return to their homes.</p> - -<p class='c006'>On another day about the end of August, -the unbroken line which filed through the -street at noon was, without any interruption, -passing through at twelve o’clock that night. -As the cities, towns and villages were, for -the most part, taken by surprise, or bombarded -without having received any notice, -the civilians had no alternative but to collect -a few necessary articles of clothing, and -in some cases a loaf of bread, and flee in -haste from their homes, leaving crops, cattle, -furniture and all their possessions to the -fury of the flames and the tide of destruction, -so rapidly sweeping down upon them.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Many people of the wealthier class, anticipating -what was to come, had packed -trunks and boxes with clothing and other -personal property and sent them away to -what was considered safe quarters. Then -<span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>they moved away within the fortifications of -Antwerp, where it was thought the enemy -could not enter. Others, in the firm hope -that the war would soon be over and that -they would be able to return to their homesteads -in a few days, left everything untouched -and fled from city to village and -from town to town. We met parties of acquaintances -in Antwerp who had changed -their places of residence nine times within -one month, and then were obliged to leave -Antwerp in a day or two.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Some let their cattle run loose in the -meadows. These were shot down or taken -by the soldiers, or appropriated by any one -who desired.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It was most pitiful to see these poor people, -whose only object was to get away as -far as possible from the scenes of conflict. -Some carried small loaves of bread; others -had a little hay or straw in their wagons; -some led a cow or two; others two or three -pigs. In some of the carts we recognized -faces of our former pupils, who only one -short month before were longing for the -pleasant vacation days. Their fathers or -<span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>brothers were in the army, and their homes -forsaken. Some children had lost their -parents and were crying piteously. When -the Sisters left the parish church, where -they daily took part in the public devotions -for peace, they were besieged by hundreds -of these poor, half-frantic refugees, beseeching -shelter over night in the church or -schools, which were already full to overflowing. -The days were warm and pleasant, -but the nights were very chilly and -sometimes rainy. Where would those poor -people go and what could they do without -food or shelter for all those little children? -The friendly stars looked down from the -realms above upon thousands who lay along -the roadside, while others crowded the barns -and country schools, or made rude tent-like -shelters in the bed of the new canal.</p> - -<p class='c006'>This canal would have been opened in -September with great festivities, over which -King Albert was expected to preside.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Peace or security was nowhere to be -found. The war-chased people fled from -place to place for weeks, fearful and famishing, -until the kindly and protecting arms -<span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>of England and Holland received them, and -the noble hearts and hands of American -women united to provide food and clothing -for those who fled, and for the others also -who would not, or could not, leave their -own country.</p> - -<p class='c006'>While cheerfully and gratefully testifying -to what has been accomplished in this -country, and the great amount of money -spent in alleviating the sufferings caused by -this sanguinary conflict, it does seem sad to -think that American manufacturers will -continue to supply weapons and ammunition -to any of the belligerent countries. It -reminds one of a great conflagration, in -which the firemen exert themselves to subdue -the flames, while a few pour on oil to -replenish the fire. This will be a lasting -reproach to those engaged in this destroying -traffic. “There is no pocket in a -shroud,” and the bloodstained money obtained -in this manner will not assuage the -pain and grief of the orphan and widow, -nor will it purchase redemption at the judgment -seat above.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>As the danger increased, difficulties in -the way of traveling also increased. Passports, -upon which were indicated the distinguishing -characteristics of the bearer, -had to be obtained before leaving one’s place -of residence, if only for one hour; and such -passports could only be used in the vicinity -in which they were issued.</p> - -<p class='c006'>To go to Antwerp, or any of the cities or -towns at a distance, one’s passport had to -bear his or her portrait, sealed by the Burgomaster -of the town or city wherein he resided. -If these requirements were not complied -with, a person would not be permitted -to pass through the gate of a city or enter -even an ordinary depot.</p> - -<p class='c006'>A great number of refugees found their -way ultimately within the fortified City of -Antwerp. They were seen for a day or two -in solitary groups in the public park, or in -tents along the streets. In a large school -near the Palace of Justice fifteen hundred -found refuge for a few days, and were then -directed to leave.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The authorities, becoming alarmed about -the food and water supplies of the city, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>fearing contagion or disease, compelled all -refugees who were not obliged to leave their -homes on account of fortifications, to leave -the city within a specified time. Large numbers -of these poor, homeless people, many -of whom were of gentle birth and wealthy, -were obliged to crowd into freight cars -which had been used for the transportation -of cattle, and were thus carried away to -Ghent or Ostend. From Ostend they were -shipped to England. Many had previously -left Antwerp for Holland. In these -countries thousands of them will prayerfully -await the dawn of peace, which will -decide the future destiny of their country.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The events already related occurred between -the first of August and the 27th of -September. Sunday, September 27, passed -off quietly in Willebroeck, although refugees -filed through the streets continually, -and the booming of cannon was heard in -the surrounding towns. The sky was leaden -and a somber, smoky atmosphere hung over -the country and caused a feeling of sadness -and uncertainty.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>In the evening one of the refugees returned -from a hurried visit to the scene of -his former home, and related to his daughter, -who anxiously awaited his arrival, that -the enemy had made great headway. “Tomorrow -will be the last day in which it will -be safe to remain in Willebroeck,” said he -to those who stood there.</p> - -<p class='c006'>In a few minutes the report was circulated -on all sides. Sisters, on hearing it, -remarked, “Nonsense! What God protects -is well protected; we must not be alarmed, -but patiently await the accomplishment of -God’s holy will.” Monday’s papers brought -news of another bombardment of the City -of Mechelen (Malines), a short distance -from Willebroeck.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Following are a few quotations from that -morning’s paper (Antwerp’s <i>Handelsblad</i>, -Monday, September 28, 1914): “While on -the train this morning, before entering the -station of Mechelen, our attention was attracted -by the multitudes who, in the greatest -haste, took flight through the Zandpoortvest. -They were the residents of Muysen. -The German troops, about eight hundred -<span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>strong, were there at half-past seven; thus -the people had no alternative but to take -flight as rapidly as possible. The enemy -shot upon some refugees, and the ten-year-old -son of Desiré Horckmans was shot in -the car where he was sitting, and Mrs. Arm -Beulens was seriously wounded. ‘This -was only a sign of what was yet to come.’</p> - -<p class='c006'>“Scarcely had we reached the station, at -half-past eight, when we heard the heavy -roar of cannon, followed by terrific explosions, -such as we had never before heard. -All the people who had come from the direction -of Antwerp took flight through the -side streets. At every explosion it seemed -as if an earthquake shook the ground under -foot. So heavy were the shocks that many -people fell.</p> - -<p class='c006'>“On the Schuttersvest, we found refuge -in a cellar, while one volley followed another. -The explosions were deafening. -Every pane of glass in the vicinity was -broken in pieces. In several places the -stones were forced out of the pavements -and thrown to a great distance, while bombs -<span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>pierced the ground to the depth of two meters.</p> - -<p class='c006'>“One can judge the terror in which the -residents of Mechelen tried to find a place -of safety. The cannonade was awful, as -was also the ‘Gesis’ (sissing noise) of the -bombs which flew over the streets and, exploding, -spread fire, death and destruction -in every direction.</p> - -<p class='c006'>“A bomb fell just in front of the railroad -station, making a pit in the ground three -‘meters’ in diameter. The place was covered -with stones, which were violently -jerked out of the ground. The station is -half-demolished. No one is there to be -seen except the lifeless body of an elderly -gentleman who, with his face to the ground, -is stretched out on the floor of the waiting-room.</p> - -<p class='c006'>“The beautiful buildings belonging to the -Little Sisters of the Poor, and many other -noted buildings have been totally destroyed. -Thus it was in the few places which we -have visited. What will it be in other -places? All the streets through which we -passed were covered with glass and stones. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>In all the city there is not a pane of glass -which remains whole. All day long the -Duffel highway was black with refugees, -which makes us conclude that all Mechelen -has taken flight.”</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span> - <h2 id='XII' class='c004'>CHAPTER XII.<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>The Results of War.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Centuries ago, when Attila, known in history -as the “Scourge of God,” led his army -of Huns through the fertile fields of Europe, -we read that he gazed upon the ruin -which he had caused his soldiers to perpetrate -on all sides, and cried out, “I am the -hammer of the world, the grass grows no -more where my horse has trod.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>Well may these same words be applied -to the armed forces now dominating the -devastated plains and meadows of what was -once peaceful Belgium.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When one passes through the masses of -falling debris and looks upon the remains of -cities and villages which have stood for ages -and in whose monuments and public buildings -a more than human strength and beauty -seemed enclosed, it appears that the Angel -of Destruction has extended his deadly sceptre -over the works of man and congealed -those streams of life which once flowed -through the streets now deserted and homes -<span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>made desolate by the unheard-of ferocity of -civilized man.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When we try to estimate the amount of -time, labor, wealth and industry required -to build up these beautiful places, now stripped -of their grandeur, devoid of life, and -crumbling into dust, we become awestruck at -sight of such desolation. The nothingness of -the much-prized materialism becomes apparent -in the ruins of man’s grandest -achievements, and involuntarily we are -moved to cry out, “Vanity of vanities! all is -vanity,” which the evolutions of time can -change into dust and ashes.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Again the cruel hand of war is seen in the -country homes, whose rustic beauty among -the groves and green meadows so often -aroused the spirit of song and fascinated the -lover of Nature in his rambles. The -churches whose cross-crowned spires, wherein -the “Klokken” (chimes) so often pealed -forth the call to prayer, are now abandoned, -and their battered walls and broken windows -look sadly down upon the deserted -homesteads from which life has passed -away.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>The schools no more re-echo the gay -sounds of children’s voices, while the famishing -little ones and their destitute parents -are dying of hunger and privation or begging -at the stranger’s door. The colleges -and libraries have delivered their volumes -to the fury of the flames, and the withering -blight has scorched the fresh verdure of -those well-kept gardens and shady lawns -where kings and princes dwelt.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Castles have been made into fortresses to -conceal cannon and machine guns, while the -deafening roar of exploding bombs replaces -the gay music of ball and banquet room.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The red glow of the burning city illumines -the evening sky and reveals in the darkness -the ghastly spectres of partially demolished -walls of the stateliest buildings which -stand out amid the ever-increasing ruins.</p> - -<p class='c006'>War has desecrated the churches where -angels knelt around the Holy of Holies, and -where the daily Holocaust of Love, and the -offering of praise and prayers perpetuated -communion between earth and heaven. -Have the angels left the altar at sight of the -sacrilege committed in their presence, or -<span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>did they weep when the merciless bomb -struck the house of God and wounded the -worshipers there?</p> - -<p class='c006'>Behold the terror-stricken congregation -leaving St. Rombout’s Cathedral and taking -flight through the streets of Mechelen, amid -the falling walls and bursting pavements. -Weeks later we shall meet them again as -refugees in London, Leeds and Bradford, -seeking food and shelter in the land of exile.</p> - -<p class='c006'>See that little coffin, less than two feet -long! It seems so conspicuous, exposed -there among the coffins of several soldiers -who died that night in our hospital. This -small casket contained the remains of a little -angel about two months old, who was struck -in the arms of her mother by a piece of -exploded shell.</p> - -<p class='c006'>This woman had hurriedly left her home -during the second bombardment of the city -of Mechelen and, having run for some distance, -sat down by the way to rest, when -the fatal shell exploded, a piece of which -mortally wounded the little one in her arms. -Both were brought to our hospital that -night and lovingly cared for until about -<span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>morning, when the innocent spirit fled to -join the army of the blessed who inherit the -realms of eternal peace.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Poor mother was left alone to bemoan the -loss of her little one and to weep over her -desolate home.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When one meets the ambulance wagons -loaded with suffering, mutilated men who -a few weeks before were sustaining heads of -happy households; when one sees the dark -red stream flowing from ghastly wounds -and splashes of blood on all sides; when one -observes the pallor of death on the strong -man’s face, while a comrade with tender -pity bends over to obtain a last message for -home; when one hears the despairing wail -of orphan and widow; when one has -watched the endless procession of terror-stricken -refugees whose homes have become -the prey of the cannon, when one hears repeatedly -the sad experience of these exiles -on their journeys from place to place, lying -on hay or straw, in barns, in schools, on the -bare ground, or in the basin of the empty -canal, when one meditates on those perverse -circumstances which have changed civilized -<span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>men into savage brutes—then we also agree -that “The world has gone back a thousand -years,” while a presentiment as of impending -disaster passes over the earth and depresses -each individual heart.</p> - -<p class='c006'>“Cast yourselves upon the knees and pray -for victory,” cry out Christian monarchs to -their soldiers, and, nevertheless, the God to -whom they pray is witness to the wanton -desecration of His churches and the wholesale -destruction of life, liberty and property.</p> - -<p class='c006'>From the dark abodes of despair, the cohorts -of satan seem to have taken possession -of the world and filled it with vice and -wretchedness, until it resembles the “abomination -of desolation” referred to in Holy -Writ.</p> - -<p class='c006'>To know what war is, it would be necessary -to possess eyes to behold all the sin and -vice; all the ruin and destruction; ears to -hear every despairing cry and agonizing -wail; a mind to comprehend all the misery -and desolation, and a heart to feel the anguish -in the heart of each suffering fellow-creature, -from the moment the first shot was -fired down through ages yet to come, until -<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>the twilight of times, brighter in prospect, -than the daylight of the present generation -shall obscure the last shadows of the unholy -conflict.</p> - -<p class='c006'>To realize what war really means, we -should give consideration to the moral and -physical degeneration of these sufferers and -of their descendants; to the hatred, lust, passion, -wilful murder and other high crimes -against God and nature, engendered and -committed, not in the moment of strong individual -anger and passion, but as the result -of a well-calculated plan, with profound -forethought, called by some “strategy.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>“War is justifiable only, if it is the necessary -means for securing peace.” (His Eminence, -Cardinal Mercier.) May we humbly -add, <i>then only as the last resort</i>.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span> - <h2 id='XIII' class='c004'>CHAPTER XIII.<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Our Departure.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Monday, September 28, witnessed the -scenes of sorrow and desolation in and -around Mechelen and vicinity described in -the foregoing chapters. Many of the residents -of Willebroeck had already taken -flight, and the others were preparing to -leave.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The Sisters, wholly absorbed in their work -for the wounded, and relying on the word -of the Belgian officers, that timely warning -would be given as to the necessity of departure, -had as yet no idea of joining the -throngs of refugees who continuously filed -through the main street.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The shocks of the cannonade from the fortress -caused the buildings to tremble on their -foundations, while the ground under foot -seemed agitated as by an earthquake. A -large number of wounded soldiers had been -brought in the night before, and three or -four lay dead in the mortuary.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>Our Sisters and servant maids, as also the -generous women refugees of Willebroeck, -continued their sickening task in the laundry. -In wooden shoes they stood at those -large cement tubs while suds and blood-dyed -water streamed over the stone floor.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Since the cutting of the electric wires the -motor which kept the machines in action -could no longer be used for the laundry or -for the bakery. This greatly increased the -work in both places.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Large, vicious-looking black flies, before -unseen in or about the place, probably attracted -by the odor of blood, buzzed around -in a most disagreeable manner.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The whole scene left an ineffaceable impression -of sadness and horror at the unwonted -ferocity of civilized man.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Night closed in again, but brought neither -rest nor consolation. Fearing to retire, some -of the Sisters remained in the chapel, while -others spent the tedious hours of that dreary -night in the refectory or adjoining rooms, and -kept busy making surgical dressings for the -wounded, of whom a larger number than -usual had been brought into the hospital.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>At intervals during the night the cannonade -was heard, while the searchlights of the -fortress penetrated the clouds on the lookout -for the murderous Zeppelins. Morning -came at last, with an increase of work -and anguish. The enemy, with their usual -determination, were trying to force their -way through to Antwerp, while the Belgians -were equally determined to prevent -them, or to at least check their progress.</p> - -<p class='c006'>On Tuesday, September 29, the daily routine -of the Convent took place as usual -until noon, when the cannonade became terrific. -A balloon, the meaning of which we -did not know, had been sent up by the enemy. -Some said it was to discover the position -of the Belgians and, if possible, ascertain -their strength. The Reverend Superior -called upon one of the officers and asked -if there was danger. “No,” said he, “We -shall let you know in due time.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>Three Sisters, intending to go to Antwerp, -sent a messenger to the station to ask when -the train would leave. “No trains until -evening,” was the reply. They decided -to wait until that time. Just then another -<span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>officer called for the Reverend Superior and -said in an excited manner, “Weg van hier, -aanstonds! Geen tijd te verliezen.” (Away -from here at once. No time to be lost.) -This message flew from one to another, even -to the terror-stricken hearts of the numerous -wounded.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Impossible to describe the scenes which -followed. In a few minutes a long line of -motor cars came whirling up to the gate to -take away the wounded who, some of them -in an almost dying condition, were being -dragged out of their beds, dressed and hurriedly -carried away to Antwerp, or to another -place of refuge. One can never forget -the look of anguish on some of their -faces, while others seemed totally indifferent -to all that was taking place around them.</p> - -<p class='c006'>There was one who was not indifferent. -It was the wounded German officer who, as -he himself admitted, had accomplished so -much in the destruction of Louvain, and -whose serious condition did not permit his -being transferred with the first division of -the Red Cross which left a short time before. -He was sorely troubled when he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>heard he had to leave, and would much -rather have remained. He promised, in -case the opportunity offered, to speak a good -word for the Convent.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Did he survive or obtain his freedom, and -thus have occasion to keep his word? We -know not; but we do know that when the -German soldiers were in possession of our -Boarding-school, after the fall of Antwerp, -our Superior and Sisters wrote that they -had no complaint to make as to the conduct -of those “Rynlanders.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>The Sisters could hardly realize that they -were obliged to leave their Convent home, -for which they had toiled and labored for -years, and which was as dear to them as the -arms of a mother to her children; those -schools which had so often re-echoed to the -gay sounds of children’s voices, as hundreds -of them marched and sang in chorus; the -garden where the white ducks were yet swimming -in the pond; the fruit trees and flowers; -in a word, all had to be left to the fire -of the merciless bombs and shrapnels.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Several times they went back and forth, -while it seemed preferable to remain and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>take the risk than to go and endure the vicissitudes -of pilgrimage and exile. But the -command had to be obeyed, as the danger -increased every moment.</p> - -<p class='c006'>About two o’clock three of us joined the -crowds of farmers, country people and cavalrymen -who were passing on their way to -Boom. The other Sisters stood in the hall, -ready to depart. We carried satchels and -some small baggage, and walked to Boom, -where we arrived safely at three o’clock. -On the way we met a lady and gentleman -who conversed fluently in English.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When we arrived at the station we learned -that the train for Antwerp had left a few -minutes before, and there would be no further -transportation before evening. We -went to the home of one of our Sisters in -Boom and rested until five o’clock. Here -we were joined by our Rev. Mother Superior -and a large party of Sisters, who had -left Willebroeck shortly after we did. Just -as they had crossed the bridge of Boom, a -bomb fell beside it and exploded, but did -not injure the bridge. Our Sisters were on -their way to Aertselaar, one of our missions -<span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>at some distance from the firing line. Rev. -Father Somers, one of the assistant priests -of Willebroeck, remained at his post in the -village church during the bombardment of -the town. Four Sisters had the courage to -remain in the Convent when all the rest had -left. They have written recently from Bristol, -England, describing their experience -amid the rain of bombs and shrapnel which -fell that evening in the garden and around -the buildings.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Bidding adieu to the Sisters who had -joined us in Boom, we went to the railroad -station about five o’clock in the evening, expecting -to be in good time for the train to -Antwerp. One of the Sisters sent a dispatch -to her mother to send some one to meet us -in the East Station when the train would arrive. -As we approached the station in -Boom, we met throngs of people coming -back.</p> - -<p class='c006'>A lady told us not to go to the station, as -no train would leave for Antwerp that night. -Undismayed by the sad news, we passed -those crowds of people and went right on to -the station. The station-master was not at -<span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>liberty, so we stood there a few moments -with a party of others in the waiting-room. -A young lady of Boom, one of our former -pupils, and one of the Sisters set out in -search of a motor car or carriage. None -could be obtained at any cost, not even a -farmer’s cart or wagon. All that could be -used were in the service of the army.</p> - -<p class='c006'>From five o’clock until seven, the fruitless -search continued, while the other two -Sisters remained at the station in charge of -the baggage. At seven o’clock one Sister -returned with the good news that she had -met the “Chef” of the First Division of the -Red Cross ambulance which had remained -in our hospital, and, having exhausted all -the fine expressions in her French vocabulary, -at last succeeded in sending him to the -General of the Belgian Army, then in a restaurant -in the city, to ask permission for the -Sisters to enter the train of the Red Cross, -which was at that time standing on the Antwerp -Railroad, back of the depot.</p> - -<p class='c006'>A lady and gentleman of Antwerp, on -hearing of our success, pleaded with tears -in their eyes to have us ask permission for -<span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>them also to enter the train. Our youngest -Sister, moved with compassion at the sorry -plight of two fellow-creatures, made use of -a stratagem in their favor. “Papa, Mamma,” -said she, when the “Chef” approached -with permission for the Sisters to enter the -train, “Papa, Mamma, carry our baggage -into the train.” The lady and gentleman -took up the baggage in a hurry and the Sisters -followed them into the train.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It was just seven o’clock when we entered -the train of the Red Cross, which then stood -waiting for the wounded soldiers. Unfortunately -for us, the wounded had been taken -to Antwerp in motor cars and our train remained -standing at the depot.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The heavy cannonade had somewhat -abated, but the field cannon were yet heard -in several directions, and we feared a return -of the Zeppelins which had been flying over -Antwerp the week before. We were -doomed to disappointment as to our departure -from Boom. It was too late and decidedly -dangerous to return to the home of -our Sisters in the city, and a long night in -this stationary train seemed unendurable. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>At twenty minutes to twelve the “Chef” -made his appearance once more and said -that he had finally obtained permission to -take the train to Antwerp; but we would be -obliged to ride in the dark, very slowly, and -arrive in a station at some distance from the -usual stopping place. This depot was, nevertheless, -known to the Sisters, who, if only -safely in the city, felt sure of finding their -way home. So the lights were turned out -and the train started off. It was so dark -that we could hardly distinguish the trees -or buildings along the route.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span> - <h2 id='XIV' class='c004'>CHAPTER XIV.<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Arrival in Antwerp.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Shortly after leaving Boom, the sounds of -war died out entirely, and one felt that there -was at least one haven of safety in Belgium. -About half-past one in the night we entered -the Bassins, a station near the docks of Antwerp. -We thanked the good “Chef” heartily -and paid the station-master to accompany -the party of five with a lantern to our -destination. He did so, and on we walked -the whole length of the Boulevard to the -Palace of Justice.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Antwerp, the chief port of Belgium, the -center of the railroad and canal systems, lay -enshrouded in a cloak of darkness. Not the -faintest glimmer of light was to be seen in -the sky or on the land. Aside from this, -there was not the slightest appearance of -war, or of any disturbance whatever in the -city.</p> - -<p class='c006'>At half-past two on Wednesday morning, -September 30, hungry and utterly exhausted -after the experience of the foregoing week, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>we rang at the residence of Madame Broelinckx, -mother of one of the Sisters of our -company. This lady and her daughters received -us with the greatest hospitality. -They provided food and sleeping apartments, -and left nothing undone to make our -visit as pleasant and agreeable as could be -under the circumstances. About three -o’clock we retired for a few hours’ rest, regardless -of the dangerous Zeppelins which -could have been flying over our heads. Next -day we visited some of the magnificent -churches in the city. These were filled to -overflowing with pious worshipers at every -service.</p> - -<p class='c006'>In the Church of the Jesuits, which we -attended, it was difficult to find a seat, -so great were the throngs who attended -the evening devotions. The front seats -were reserved for the convalescent soldiers, -who attended in large numbers. It was so -sad to see them. Some limped along on -crutches; some with their broken arms in -slings; while others had their heads and -hands bandaged. Every door that opened -or closed caused a shock, as if the bombs -<span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>and cannon balls had followed us from -Willebroeck.</p> - -<p class='c006'>We had never heard more zeal in the sermons, -more confidence in the prayers, or -more fervor in the responses, in which the -entire congregation joined. We shall never, -never forget that week of prayer in Antwerp.</p> - -<p class='c006'>In such circumstances, when the courage -is about to fail at the approach of an inevitable -doom which no human power can resist, -then will the most haughty and indifferent -fall on their knees and pray.</p> - -<p class='c006'>A day or two after our arrival in Antwerp, -in company with the Misses Broelinckx, -we visited the scenes of the Zeppelin -raid which had taken place a few weeks -before. It was sad to witness the damage -done to those massive stone buildings. In -some of them there was not a particle of -glass to be seen in any of the window frames, -while immense blocks of stone had been -blown out of the walls. Bolts, knobs and -bells were torn out of their places and the -door demolished. One building looked as -if it had been picked all over with a crowbar, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>while in some places pieces of the bomb -had forced their way through the walls.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It was said in Antwerp that the bomb -which fell back of the Boom street was aimed -at the Palace of Justice, which is just at the -corner of this street. It was also stated that -the aim taken by the enemy in throwing this -bomb was only one millimeter from being -perfect. If so, it deflected the difference -of a whole block before it reached the -ground.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Either nine or eleven bombs were said to -have been thrown by Zeppelins in Antwerp -long before the bombardment of that city. -Not one, however, reached its destination, -and only damaged the buildings and killed -or wounded a few innocent residents.</p> - -<p class='c006'>On returning we met two Sisters and a -large number of orphan children, who left -Willebroeck on the same day that we did. -These Sisters, though similar to our own in -some respects, had constant charge of the -sick in the village hospital, which was -founded and supported by the wealthy and -charitable Lady of the Castle of Willebroeck, -Madame De Naeyer. Besides a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>number of invalids, there were about one -hundred orphan children in this institution -when the bombardment of the village began.</p> - -<p class='c006'>One of the Sisters said, that while carrying -the invalids from their beds into the cellar, -bombs were flying horizontally through -the walls. One old woman was killed and -another wounded. These two Sisters then -departed with the orphans and knew not -what had become of the others.</p> - -<p class='c006'>At the urgent request of our kind hostess, -and also in hope of receiving news from -Willebroeck, or from the Sisters with whom -we had parted in Boom, we decided to remain -over Sunday. The beginning of the -following week passed uneventfully. One -of our younger Sisters joined us during the -week, but had little to relate, not having -heard from Willebroeck since our departure.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Greatly desiring to hear something from -the Convent, I resolved to ride over to Aertselaar -with the milkmaid, as all the trains in -this direction had ceased to run, and no -other conveyance could be found. I went -<span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>down to the park with Miss Broelinckx and -waited until the good woman had sold all -her milk, after which I climbed into the -little wagon and we rode hastily in the direction -of the city gates. When but a few -yards from the large green “port” or gate, -while waiting a few moments at a store, we -were overtaken by Miss Broelinckx, who -had hurried after us to announce that she -had met the Reverend Superior and a large -number of Sisters, who had entered the city -en route for Holland or England.</p> - -<p class='c006'>With unconcealed joy at the thought of -meeting our Sisters again, I bade adieu to -the milkmaid and retraced my steps back to -the house where our friends were assembled. -After lunch, complications having -arisen as to their departure for England, -the Sisters, about fifteen in number, decided -to remain in the city for at least a few days. -Some of them took up their residence with -relatives, while the others found refuge in -some of the convents in the city. It was arranged -to hold a union meeting in a room -adjoining the Jesuit Church, at which all -were requested to be present, every day.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>One of our party was quite despondent, -owing to the fact that she had entirely lost -track of her aged parents, who had left -Mechelen during the bombardment of that -city. A day or two later, while going to -church, she had the pleasure of meeting her -father on the street. He and his wife had -come to Antwerp a few days before. They -had found it necessary to change their place -of residence nine times within one month. -Mingled joy and sadness was felt a day or -two later, when the Rev. Mother Superior -visited the Sisters at the home of Madame -Broelinckx and described the condition of -affairs at Willebroeck.</p> - -<p class='c006'>With the Sisters whom we had left in -Boom, she had gone to Aertselaar, where -eight or ten of the older Sisters were staying. -This town, quite a distance from the -city, was considered perfectly safe. However, -owing to the rapid approach of the -enemy and the destruction of some of the -fortresses, this place also became untenable. -The City of Boom was evacuated and the -bridge blown up a day or two after we left -Willebroeck. Three days later all the refugees -<span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>in Aertselaar were commanded to -leave. This compelled the Reverend Superior -to take the elder Sisters, some of them -hardly able to walk on account of age and -debility, to the City of Antwerp. With -great difficulty she had found a rude conveyance -of some kind and rode on to the -“port” of the city. When they reached the -large gate it was discovered that the passports -were not in perfect order, consequently -the Sisters were not allowed to enter.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Having found a resting-place for the others, -Reverend Mother entered the city. -After a short conference, she rode back to -the Sisters and we saw her no more. While -with us she told of her narrow escape at the -Convent in Willebroeck the day after the -Sisters left.</p> - -<p class='c006'>On September 30, having left her charges -in safety in Aertselaar, she rode back again -to Willebroeck, where three Sisters yet remained. -The next day the cannonade was -terrific.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span> - <h2 id='XV' class='c004'>CHAPTER XV.<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Extracts from Letters of Our Refugee<br />Sisters.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Following is an extract from a letter -which came to hand on March 15, 1915, -from the four Sisters who remained in the -Convent throughout the bombardment, two -of whom are now in charge of the Belgian -refugees in Bristol, England:</p> - -<p class='c006'>“As you already know, perhaps, three of -us remained in our Convent when all the -rest had fled. Later in the afternoon we -saw the Reverend Director and his sister -step into the doctor’s automobile and -whirl off to a place of safety. Soon they -were out of danger for the time being at -least. That evening, following the advice -of the Reverend Chaplain, we went to the -Convent of the Presentation in Boom to pass -the night. On the way we met Sister Michelle. -When she heard that we had remained -in Willebroeck, she came back with us. We -were greatly pleased and took her along to -Boom for the night. In the morning we -<span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span>returned to our Convent in Willebroeck in -an automobile of the ambulance. There -was work in abundance. We had to cook -and bake for one hundred and twenty persons. -There were twenty priests with them. -Besides these, there was scarcely any one -left in Willebroeck. We rode to Antwerp -for meat. Reverend Mother sent us word -to come to Aertselaar to go with the other -Sisters to England. We went to Aertselaar -and asked permission to remain in Willebroeck. -Reverend Mother rode back with -us. Again, in the afternoon, there was nothing -to be heard but cannonade on all sides. -Just as the Reverend Superior was about to -go to the chapel, she was called into the -cellar, where the Sisters and some of the -wounded had taken refuge. At once a heavy -shock was heard. Every moment there -were heavy shocks. Our chapel had been -struck by a bomb, which destroyed the iron -frame of the window, seriously damaged -the wall and mouldings, shattered the pews -and chairs, and filled all the adjoining -rooms with lime and dust. We thought -that our whole Convent stood in fire and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>flame. All the window panes in the chapel -were out. All the window panes in the front -gable of the Convent were out. Reverend -Mother, who had just escaped death by -joining the others in the cellar, returned to -her charge in Aertselaar. We four remained -in the Convent. The doctors assured -us that if need be an automobile -would be at our disposal in the evening.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Monday, October 5, the Chaplain, sent by -the Major, came to tell us that we must -leave. “Go,” said he, “not to Antwerp, but -through Flanders to England.” We thought -that our other Sisters had already gone to -England. We remained Tuesday also, amid -the thundering roar of the cannon. At six -o’clock in the evening it was announced that -the motor car was ready. “Rapidly,” said -they. “Everyone away.” There we were! -One in the kitchen and the others here and -there at work. In haste we collected a few -of our things, and, without food or other -supplies, started on the way to Boom. The -Belgian soldiers caused the bridge to spring -just when we had crossed it. The two ladies -of the Red Cross who had so faithfully -<span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>assisted in the care of the wounded, were -with us. We went from Boom to Hemischen, -over a rudely constructed bridge. -From this place we jolted and pitched all -night long. One of our number, utterly exhausted, -slept soundly, and for the time being -at least was unconscious of danger or -difficulty. At ten o’clock on Wednesday -morning we arrived at St. Niklaas.</p> - -<p class='c006'>We were well received by the Sisters at -the Convent of the Presentation, and remained -until next day. Then we went to -Ostend. From ten in the morning until -five in the evening we remained on the train -and spent the night in a convent. We looked -for the ambulance, and found it in the “Hotel -Splendite,” wherein we were given -rooms overlooking the sea. There were -about three hundred wounded soldiers -brought from Antwerp, for that city was -just bombarded. We remained there until -the 13th of October. We had just retired on -the evening of the 13th, when we were hastily -called up. “Toe Zusters’ gauw op! Ze zijn -hier, alle maal bijna weg.” (Sisters, do hurry -up! Nearly all are away from here.) We -<span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>sprang up, dressed hastily, took our satchels -and went directly to the depot. We stood in -the waiting-room from eleven o’clock that -night until five next morning. Two trains -of wounded soldiers were passing. We succeeded -in getting into one of them, and now -“Ahead,” wherever Divine Providence may -lead us. That was a tiresome ride. Every -few minutes the train would stop. Where -were we going? Probably to France. In a -town called Zarren we remained standing a -long time. The residents brought food and -drink for the soldiers and conducted the -Sisters to a convent. We could not find sufficient -words to praise and thank these good -people; and now again, “Ahead to France.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>We arrived in France at eleven o’clock in -the night. The people were leaning out of -their windows in their night-clothes and -calling aloud “Vive la Belgique! Vive les -Heros!” Again, “Ahead to Dixmunde.” -Here we were placed on a merchant ship, -with one thousand wounded soldiers and -ambulanciers from Antwerp. We knew -not where we were going. There was no -food. We slept in a small cabin containing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>four berths, two above and two below. -Those best exercised in gymnastics could -climb into the upper beds. A few moments -later the two younger Sisters had -flown into their “Doves’ Nest.” The ship -departed, and finally we arrived in Dover, -England. We left Dover and went to -Southampton, where we arrived safely on -Friday morning. Here the wounded soldiers -were taken to hospitals in the city, and -we were conveyed to a convent. After a -few days we were requested to go to Bristol -to teach the Belgian children, and here we -are at present among these good English -people, where we may possibly remain until -the refugees return to Belgium.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>A letter from our Sisters in Holland last -winter states that those members of the -Community who had taken up their abode -in the mission-house of Aertselaar were -obliged to leave and take flight a few days -later than we. Some of them endured great -hardships along the route.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The Sisters whom we left in the city wrote -about the same time the following:</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>“Our stay in Antwerp was short. We were -told that it was dangerous to remain near -the Palace of Justice. At six o’clock two -of us started to the Touwstraat (Rope -street), so as to be near our other Sisters. -As the street cars had ceased to run, we had -to walk about three miles. The Sisters who -were in the Convent of the Sacred Heart, in -Antwerp, could no longer remain, as those -nuns also were preparing to leave. It was -impossible to close our eyes during that terrible -night on account of the thundering, -deafening explosions of cannon, while bullets, -shells and shrapnel were flying over the -city.</p> - -<p class='c006'>“Early in the morning we were ready to -leave Antwerp, but our older Sisters could -not walk, and we had also in our company -a sick Sister from Londerziel. Finally, -about eleven o’clock, we left for the station. -We could hardly get through because of the -crowd and the great number of wagons. -Two of us walked on and arrived in Capellen -at three o’clock. At the station we had -to get into a wagon which had been used for -the transportation of cattle, and then away -<span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>again. At half-past four we were in Calmpthout. -We waited in the station from half-past -nine until four o’clock. Finally we -obtained a place in a coal car and set out for -Holland.</p> - -<p class='c006'>“In Esschen, near the boundary line, we -stepped off and walked forth to Hoogerheide, -in Holland, where thirty of us will -remain in a convent. I had forgotten to say -that four of our Sisters took flight from Antwerp -at one o’clock in the night.</p> - -<p class='c006'>“Here in Holland we are eating rye bread -and mashed potatoes, passing the night on -straw beds stretched upon the floors, and are -quite at our ease, for the present at least.”</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span> - <h2 id='XVI' class='c004'>CHAPTER XVI.<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>The Exodus to England.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>All the Sisters who had arrived at Antwerp -met in conference several times during -the week; but no final course of action -could be decided upon, owing to the danger -and uncertainty which, like dark, ominous -clouds, cast a pall over the city and presaged -disaster.</p> - -<p class='c006'>One afternoon two of us called on His -Eminence, Cardinal Mercier, Archbishop -of Mechelen, who, since the bombardment -of his city and the destruction of his residence, -had remained at times in rooms near -the Cathedral of Antwerp. His stately -countenance was calm and peaceful, notwithstanding -the trials and overwhelming -sorrows he had endured. We could hardly -control our feelings when the fatherly hand -of this good and faithful shepherd was -raised to bless us for the journey and undertakings -we had in view.</p> - -<p class='c006'>On Saturday, October 10, we met in conference -for the last time in the Jesuit rooms -<span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span>in Antwerp. Our Sisters had no idea of -leaving the city at that time. The last advice -of our Reverend Director before leaving -was “Observe well the regulations, be -ever true to God and duty, and let no day -pass without doing some good work.” He -is dead now, having peacefully passed away -on the night of December 24, 1914, shortly -after returning to his former residence in -Willebroeck. Although an invalid for -years, he was an example of perfect zeal and -accuracy in the performance of every duty. -He was noted as an author of hymns and -poems, and left many important works on -Church and Bible history.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Requiescat in pace (rest in peace).</p> - -<p class='c006'>Having parted with our Sisters on the -street in front of the church, in company -with Miss Broelinckx, I went at once to the -docks of Antwerp to make arrangements for -crossing over to England. About noon on -that day a flag was hoisted on the lofty spire -of one of the great churches, denoting “Antwerp -in danger.” In a short time the whole -city was panic-stricken. People carrying -large and small bundles were seen hurrying -<span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span>through the streets. At noon the signal was -removed and confidence restored. At the -docks we found that the last passenger boat -was just ready to leave on her final trip and -could accommodate no more, being then -full to overflowing.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Three different times we returned to the -docks, but found no means of departure. -Even the small merchant boats were overloaded. -Finally, on Monday, October 12, -I found a place on a small boat, which -seemed fit for sailing on an ordinary -creek. There were about sixty or seventy -refugees on board. I then bade farewell to -the beautiful plains of Belgium, to the Sisters -and acquaintances in whose company -we had passed so many happy and peaceful -years; farewell to the Convent home, where -we had learned the one true way to that -perfect peace, which neither the storms of -time nor the adverse fortunes of war can destroy; -farewell to those dear little pupils -who daily attended school, the remembrance -of whose cheerful, innocent faces inspirit -the days of exile, as does the cool, fresh fountain, -the weary, way-worn traveler.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>Could this parting be final? No! a thousand -times no! We shall meet again when -these trials are over. The Belgians are a -courageous people. Their country will rise -from its grave of ashes; her exiled children -will return; her cities will stand up from -their ruins and flourish as they have never -done before, and when Kings and Kaisers -have become a memory, Sisters will be -found at the bedside of the dying, and in the -schools to teach the little children, and offer -refuge to virtue and innocence within the -Convent walls.</p> - -<p class='c006'>We took our places on the deck of this little -boat at one o’clock. The deck was not -covered in any manner, and there were seats -for about half of the number of passengers; -but we crowded together as best we could, -with a certain feeling of security, for we all -knew that within a few hours we would be -safely out of reach of those terrible bombs -and shrapnel, and we had a firm belief that -our friends in Antwerp would also succeed -in finding a place of safety.</p> - -<p class='c006'>We had just left the docks bound for -Flushing, Holland, when the rain began to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>fall in torrents and a heavy wind came up. -We huddled together under the few umbrellas -and tried to have patience with our steamboat -and the weather. One young lady, in the -act of looking around, had the unspeakable -chagrin of seeing her umbrella snatched out -of her hand by the wind and carried away -down the tide. A large ship at some distance, -seeing the strange-looking object on -the wave, rapidly approached, lowered a -boat, and immediately the umbrella was -taken on board.</p> - -<p class='c006'>About three o’clock we were out at sea. -There was no land to be seen. The wind -grew stronger every moment, and our little -boat rose and fell, pitched and rolled, in a -most alarming manner. Being on the open -deck, in the piercing cold wind, kept -most of us from an attack of seasickness. -Some of the Belgian women, who had never -been at sea before, were nearly frantic with -terror, and no wonder, for it was certainly -a heavy sea for such a small boat. How -delighted we were when the lights of Flushing, -like so many stars reflected in the sea, -began to gleam in the distance. When we -<span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>entered the harbor the wind ceased and the -waves settled down into a calm, dark, lakey -surface.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Unfortunately, we had no opportunity of -seeing much of this noted summer resort, as -it was quite dark when we left our little -boat and stepped into a large, pretty looking -Mall boat, which carried passengers to and -from England.</p> - -<p class='c006'>After supper in the neatly furnished -dining-room, we retired to our cabin. -We considered ourselves at a safe distance -from the firing line, and anticipated -a good night’s rest. In this we were sadly -disappointed. Scarcely had we closed our -cabin door, when the ship’s crew began to -load the boat with her cargo, and the unendurable -noise continued all night long. One -old lady, who had suffered greatly in coming -over from Antwerp, began to scold at -everybody and everything, then laughed -heartily, turned over in her berth and tried -to rest.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Morning dawned, at last. The rain had -ceased and the sun was shining brightly. -We expected a pleasant voyage over to Folkstone, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>England. Again we were disappointed. -Fearing the mines which might have -been encountered on the usual course, our -boat had to take another route. Instead of -a pleasant trip of three or four hours, we -had a voyage of nine hours. On this occasion -there was no chance to escape the -seasickness. The sea was rougher here than -in some places on the Atlantic ocean. Heavy -waves dashed against our little boat and -caused her to roll and pitch terribly, while -a cold, penetrating wind swept the deck like -a hurricane.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Some of us became so greatly indisposed -that we were advised to go on deck. We -did so and stood grasping the railing for an -hour or two. Everyone was ill. While on -deck we sighted something projecting from -the sea, but could not clearly distinguish the -outline. It proved to be a submarine; at -any rate, we were told that it was; but our -boat managed to keep at a safe distance and -hastened forth unmolested.</p> - -<p class='c006'>A short time afterward we were signalled -by a warship. All action in our boat ceased. -The warship drew near and was soon alongside -<span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>of the Mallboat. An officer came on -board to ask if there were soldiers among -the passengers. Having received a negative -answer, greetings were exchanged and -the warship departed, greatly to the satisfaction -of all on board. Having lost about -half an hour, our steamer forged ahead -again at full speed.</p> - -<p class='c006'>About three o’clock, benumbed with cold -and indisposed, we staggered to the gangway -and were assisted downstairs, where we -tried to rest for a time. About five o’clock -in the evening the hills and rugged banks -of England made their appearance. At six -o’clock we entered the harbor of Folkstone. -Everyone was obliged to show his or her -passport and undergo the doctor’s examination. -This occupied just an hour. Happy -to again set foot on “terra firma,” we hastened -to the train, which stood waiting to -take us to London, a ride of two or three -hours. In the meantime darkness had closed -in and we saw nothing outside of our compartment -until after nine o’clock, as we approached -the suburbs of London.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span> - <h2 id='XVII' class='c004'>CHAPTER XVII.<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>London and Leeds.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>One of the first things to attract attention, -as we approached the city, was the double-decked -street car. It was so strange to see -the people sitting in those box-like cases, up -on top of the car. From appearances, one -would think this kind of conveyance in danger -of tipping over at every turn of the -street.</p> - -<p class='c006'>A little before ten o’clock we steamed into -Victoria Station, London, and immediately -made our way to the office of the Relief -Committee, who kindly exchanged our Belgian -money for English currency and gave -us cards to the Premier Hotel, Southampton -Row, Russell Square, London.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The Belgians who came to England on -this occasion were people of the wealthier -class, who paid their own expenses and were -free to take rooms or lodgings where they -desired; while a great many others who -came over at the expense of the Relief Committee -were obliged to accept what was assigned -<span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span>them and remain where they were -sent until transferred by the Relief Committee.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When all of us met at table in the Premier -Hotel, it was quite difficult for the Belgians -to make themselves understood. Fortunately, -one of the party, being familiar with the -two languages, acted as interpreter until -each obtained what he or she desired, and -the regulations and requirements had been -explained.</p> - -<p class='c006'>At half-past eleven all retired to their -rooms for the night with feelings of heartfelt -gratitude to the good God, who led our -steps through so many trials and dangers to -a place of peace and safety.</p> - -<p class='c006'>In the morning the whole party attended -Mass at eight o’clock in a large church on -Southampton Row, and returned to the hotel -for breakfast at half-past nine. In the -dining hall we met another party of Belgians, -among whom were Sister M. Aloise -and her family, Mr. and Miss Erix, of Willebroeck, -and the Burgomaster of Mechelen -(Malines) and his wife. The Sisters, -not having seen each other in several weeks, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span>had a long and pleasant visit. After dinner -we called on the American Relief Committee -and obtained the loan of money necessary -for the trip to America. The American -Government had made arrangements -with its committee to assist in this way -American citizens stranded in the belligerent -countries. It was given in exchange -for a note for the required sum, payable on -demand to the United States Treasury after -the first of January, 1915. Interest on this -note was not exacted.</p> - -<p class='c006'>This action on the part of the American -Government, in assisting her stranded citizens -who found themselves unable to secure -funds at a time when it was impossible to -communicate with or receive assistance from -friends, was highly praised by prominent -Europeans, and deeply appreciated by the -Americans themselves.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The important places which we had an -opportunity of seeing during this short stay -in London were the Tower of London, so -noted in English history, the Houses of Parliament, -Westminster Abbey, and also the -beautiful new Westminster Cathedral, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>which seems to resemble Westminster Abbey -in its mode of construction.</p> - -<p class='c006'>While at the station I sent a dispatch to -relatives in Leeds to meet me there at the -depot next day, after which we returned to -the Premier Hotel for another night. This -night, October 15, seemed very long, as I -was anxious to proceed on my journey as -rapidly as possible. Next morning found -the city enwrapped in a heavy “London -fog.” The streets were very dusty, the air -chilly, and the mist so dense that it was impossible -to read the names on the buildings -across the way.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The streets and thoroughfares of London -were so crowded at times that it seemed impossible -to pass through. Teams, carriages, -street cars, motor cars and pedestrians -thronged hither and thither, each with some -particular aim or object in view.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Not a single thought of death seemed to -occupy their minds, although death could -have befallen hundreds of them at every -turn of the street. All were in a hurry, for, -as a rule, people do not walk in England, -they run, which, by the way, impressed me -<span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>as unusual, considering the fact that the -country appears to be very hilly and many -of the streets run up or down high hills.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Policemen stand in the middle of the -streets at the crossings and keep back the -crowds on one side until they have passed -on the other.</p> - -<p class='c006'>On all sides placards were posted on the -gates and walls calling for recruits to the -army. Whole companies of these were seen -in citizens’ dress marching away to the barracks.</p> - -<p class='c006'>During a very short but pleasant stay in -England our attention was often attracted -by the zeal of the English woman, working -for their absent countrymen. Every spare -moment was employed for this purpose. On -the train, in the street car, or walking along -the streets, her deft fingers were ever busy -knitting for some poor soldier at the front.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The prayers of thousands of those poor victims -freezing in the trenches during the past -two winters will call down blessings upon -these busy workers, not only in England, but -in our own dear country also; and all over -<span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>the world where this charitable work is undertaken.</p> - -<p class='c006'>On Thursday evening, October 15, I took -leave of our numerous Belgian companions -and departed alone on the long and tedious -journey to Leeds, where I arrived at the appointed -hour and was met at the station by -relatives, with whom I started at once for -their residence.</p> - -<p class='c006'>We enjoyed two or three days of pleasant -weather in this busy manufacturing city, -and visited some of the churches and places -of special interest. The busiest place in the -city was, probably, the American penny -store. Here it was that the Star-spangled -Banner gladdened the heart of any American -who happened to pass that way and stop -for a penny’s purchase. Except on Sunday, -this immense building was said to be crowded -every day in the week, and on Saturdays -it was hardly possible to pass through because -of the throngs of people who filled it -from morning till evening.</p> - -<p class='c006'>One remarkable feature about the city of -Leeds is the deep dark color of the exterior -of nearly all the buildings. The Cathedral, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>the City Hall, the Museum, and even the -statue of Queen Victoria, on the square in -front of the City Hall, are of such a dark -color that one would suppose them to be -built of black stone. This is probably caused -by the fogs, and smoke from the numerous -factories. The fog becomes so dense in the -fall and winter that the street cars are said to -collide, and other accidents occur at times -owing to the impossibility of distinguishing -objects even at a short distance. When but -a few days in Leeds, my attention was attracted -by an article in the morning paper -announcing the expected arrival of five hundred -Belgian refugees in the city.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span> - <h2 id='XVIII' class='c004'>CHAPTER XVIII.<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>The Refugees in England.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>As a good and loving mother would receive -her own weary, way-worn children, so -did England and Holland open their arms -to receive, console, assist and provide for the -destitute, war-chased people of Belgium. -These unfortunate refugees, the homeless -and penniless exiles from a once free and -happy country, have been welcomed to the -shores of England with a true Christian -charity and hospitality, which excites our -admiration.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The gates of her manors, the doors of her -castles, the dwellings of her citizens, have -opened wide to harbor the throngs of refugees -who entered her seaports in search of -food and shelter. Great numbers went to -London and were received in the Alexandria -Palace, where on one occasion about -three thousand were said to have attended -the Divine sacrifice of the Mass and were -addressed in their own language by the Rt. -Rev. Bishop Dewachter, Vic. Gen. to His -<span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>Eminence Card. Mercier, of the Archdiocese -of Mechelen. In this palace they were -received and cared for temporarily. Later -they were distributed in groups to the different -towns and cities of the country in accordance -with the means of accommodation afforded -by the respective places.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Belgian Relief Committees were established -in all the localities about to receive -refugees. These were made up of a number -of ladies and gentlemen, both Catholic -and Protestant, of the wealthier class of -English society. The Lord Mayor of the -city, and mayors of the towns and villages, -took the work of these committees under -their special supervision. They were present -at the arrival of the refugees and delivered -addresses of welcome. The Lady -<i>Mayoress</i>, by her presence and example, -often assisted and encouraged the ladies in -the clothing department, and when time -permitted drove around to visit the Belgians -in their new homes. All the ladies -and gentlemen of the relief committees were -regarded as honorary members and received -no compensation for their services.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>It is impossible to describe the amount of -care, labor and anxiety, not to speak of the -time and expense, which these good people -encountered in this new field of labor. “I -have not had two hours’ rest any night since -the work began,” said Alderman C——, a member -of the Bradford Committee, a few days -before our departure. The same remark -could well have been made by all the members, -who devoted their whole time and energies -to the work in hand.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The relief committees were obliged to -make arrangements for the reception and -temporary lodgings of the refugees; also for -their wearing apparel and food supplies, because -many of them had left their homes -with the same clothing which they wore at -their ordinary work, and had no other garments -with them. Arrangements had to be -made with the vicars, or ministers of the -Protestant parishes, and with the lords of -the manors and castles, as to the permanent -dwellings and food supplies of these people -during their stay in England; and, to avoid -confusion, all had to be in readiness upon -the arrival of the refugees, who were sent in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>large numbers from Alexandria Palace, -London. In less than three weeks over fifteen -hundred had been received in Leeds, -Bradford and Keighley.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When a party of refugees was expected, -the whole city, it may be said, turned out to -welcome them. The streets from the station -to the City Hall, where they usually -lodged for a few days, were thronged with -curious spectators, long before the appointed -hour. They not only filled the streets, -but climbed upon every available vantage -point in order to see the Belgians. Some -little boys had found a place on the pedestal -of the statue of Queen Victoria and sat there -quite contentedly. Lines of motor cars -stood waiting at the station, while the police -had great difficulty in keeping back the -crowds, who threatened to crush each other -in their eager desire to get near the platform.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The first party, over five hundred in number, -which was received in Leeds, was expected -one evening at five o’clock. Being -detained in London, they did not arrive until -about twelve o’clock, and yet that immense -<span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>multitude remained waiting on the -street. The danger and inconvenience which -await strangers, unaccustomed to the habits -and language of a foreign country was anticipated, -precautions being taken by the -Lord Mayor and Relief Committee for the -purpose of protecting these people, who -were regarded as the guests of the nation. -Two armed policemen kept unbroken watch -at the entrance to the reception hall, and no -one was permitted to enter who was not in -some manner connected with the work of -the Relief Committee. They were required -to have cards of admission themselves. -Though not obliged to do so, all those connected -with this work wore the Belgian -colors.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Two Little Sisters of the Poor of England -and a Sister from Belgium, who acted -as interpreter, were requested to remain on -guard in the women’s department during -the night, while a policeman performed the -same duty in the men’s part of the building.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When the refugees reached the station, -they were received by members of the Relief -Committee, and while the cheers and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>greetings of the assembled multitudes resounded -on all sides, they were taken in motor -cars to the City Hall or other public -building, where a bounteous supper awaited -them. Food was abundant. There was -soup and meat; bread, butter, fruit and preserves, -with plenty of coffee, and boiled -milk for the little children. How the refugees -did enjoy this good meal, the first which -many of them had tasted since they left their -own homes in Belgium.</p> - -<p class='c006'>An address of welcome was then delivered -by the Lord Mayor of the city, which -was translated into the Flemish language, -and responded to by one of the several Belgian -priests who were resident pastors in -England, and who met the refugees at the -station, or came to the City Hall for this -purpose.</p> - -<p class='c006'>After supper, all retired as quickly and -quietly as possible. A sufficient number of -mattresses, sheets, blankets, pillows and -shawls had been provided by the wealthy -residents. The mattresses were stretched -out upon the floors of several large rooms, -about a foot apart, and there the beds made -<span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>up. A separate room was arranged for -mothers with small children. Some of these -little ones were so ill and tired that they -cried all night long.</p> - -<p class='c006'>One child was only seventeen days old. -He was born in Alexandria Palace, and, being -the first Belgian born on English soil, -received the name of Albert George Alexander, -and the gift of a beautiful silver -watch from an English princess, with his -royal name engraved upon it. One poor -woman told of having kept her child, three -months old, from starving by giving it sugar -with water from the ditches along the route. -Truly no distinction was here to be observed -between rich or poor, high or low class of -people. All were grateful to receive the -lowly place of rest offered on the floors of -the museum, with the costly paintings on -the walls around them. A poor old woman -was suffering from asthma and was taken to -the Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor, -where in a few days she was found to be in -a dying condition.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Next morning we took some food to a gentleman -about eighty-five years old, who, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>with his wife and adopted daughter, had -fled from St. Rombout’s Cathedral during -the bombardment of the City of Mechelen. -He had been the proprietor of a large iron -foundry in that city, and in his business had -amassed a considerable fortune. As his -health began to decline, he sold the foundry -and bought fifteen houses to rent. Because -of the unexpected attack on the city he was -obliged, with many others, to take flight, not -having had time to return home for money, -clothing or even a handkerchief. He was -very ill with bronchitis, and was also taken -to the Little Sisters of the Poor.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Next morning many of the refugees attended -Mass in the nearest Catholic Church, -after which they returned for breakfast at -eight o’clock. The tables were well supplied -with bread, butter, coffee, fruit, preserves -and crackers, or small cookies. After -breakfast discourses were delivered to the assembled -Belgians, explaining the customs -and habits of the country in which they were -about to reside, and instructions and information -given. At the close of this address -the work of registration, which, in some -<span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>cases was begun the evening before, was -continued. The names and residences, the -number of members in each family, the -daily occupation of each and other particulars -were carefully recorded, special care -being taken to keep all the members of families -and relatives in groups together.</p> - -<p class='c006'>One thing which occasioned great anxiety -to nearly all the refugees was the fact that -some member, and in a number of cases several -members, of their families was missing. -In these cases the relief committees advertised -in the newspapers, making public the -names and former residences of the missing -parties, and thus sought in every manner to -obtain information regarding them. In -many cases they were successful, greatly to -the joy of the refugees.</p> - -<p class='c006'>A woman from the vicinity of Antwerp -aroused the special sympathy of all who met -her. She, with her husband and several -children, in company with other refugees, -left Antwerp on a train bound for Holland. -Several Belgian soldiers were also on the -train. During the journey they were fired -upon by the enemy. The engineer sprang -<span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>from the locomotive and ran away. Many -of the refugees rushed out of the compartments -and, panic-stricken, sought refuge -wherever a place of safety could be found. -Almost at the same moment one of the soldiers -then on the train, who was himself an -engineer, sprang into the locomotive, and -the train started again on its way to Holland. -This all occurred in a few moments. -In the confusion which took place when the -train was fired upon, this woman’s daughter, -aged thirteen, unobserved by her parents, -had jumped off the train with the others and -was left in Antwerp, while the parents and -other children were hurried off to Holland, -and from Holland to England, having no -opportunity to obtain information regarding -their lost child.</p> - -<p class='c006'>While the refugees remain at those ancient -homesteads, the proprietors have taken -upon themselves the responsibility of providing -everything needed in the line of food -and clothing, the Belgians being required -only to prepare their own food and to do -their own work. This situation was somewhat -trying for the wealthier class, who -<span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>were in no way accustomed to ordinary labor. -In each locality some one was appointed -to take the refugees to the nearest -Catholic church until they became familiar -with the streets and knew the way themselves.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Through the zeal and generosity of the -Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bradford, -and prominent members of the Relief -Committee in Leeds and Keighley, who not -only gave us the use of their motor cars several -times, but also, when not engaged, accompanied -those who visited the refugees, -we had the satisfaction of calling upon many -of the Belgians in their new homes. This -courtesy afforded us also a good opportunity -of seeing and admiring those stately old castles -and the lovely groves and grounds which -surround them.</p> - -<p class='c006'>We saw the remains of the old Kirkstall -Abbey, there in the valley among the hills -of Yorkshire.</p> - -<p class='c006'>On a brass tablet in the chapter house is -found the following inscription:</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span></div> -<div class='intro'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>THE CITY OF LEEDS.</div> - <div class='c001'>“<i>Pro Rege et Lege.</i>”</div> - <div class='c001'>KIRKSTALL ABBEY.</div> - <div class='c001'>This Abbey was founded by Henri de Laci, Baron of</div> - <div>Pontefract, in the year 1147. It was first</div> - <div>established at Barnoldswick,</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c006'>in Craven, by the Cistercian Order of Monks. In the year -1152 the monks removed from Barnoldswick to Kirkstall, -and on the present site erected a temporary church. The -present church and claustral buildings were completed during -the life of the first abbot, who died in the year 1182.</p> - -<hr class='c015' /> - -<p class='c006'>This Abbey was surrendered to the Crown at the Dissolution -of Monasteries, on November 22nd, 1539. The Abbey -and part of the adjoining lands were acquired from the -representatives of the late</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div><span class='sc'>Earl of Cardigan</span>,</div> - <div>Colonel J. T. North,</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c006'>a native of Leeds, and presented by him to the Corporation -of Leeds in the year 1889, during the mayoralty of Alderman -John Ward, J. P., to be held in trust for his fellow-citizens -as a place of public resort and recreation forever.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The Works of Preservation were completed by the Corporation -in the year 1895, during the mayoralty of Alderman -Peter Gilston, J. P.</p> - -</div> - -<p class='c006'>As a skeleton protruding from a grave of -the past, so appears the empty frame of this -ancient structure. The church-like form of -the chapel, where the monks of old chanted -the divine Office and said their daily prayers; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>the old, crumbling belfry, where the -doves coo and wild birds make their nests; -the altar, the refectory and other apartments -within, are yet clearly distinguishable. But -the storm winds, howling through the frameless -doors and windows, awake the echoes of -those voices long hushed beneath the ruined -walls, and recall another period of war, -when the destroying flames desecrated this -hallowed shrine as do now the bombs and -shrapnels the institutions of Continental -Europe.</p> - -<p class='c006'>This is one of the most noted of those -ancient ruins, and arouses the interest and -admiration of all tourists who visit this part -of England.</p> - -<p class='c006'>On another afternoon we were shown -through an old but well-preserved castle of -the seventeenth century, whose low ceilings, -stretching out over the spacious halls and -parlors, heavy black mouldings and ornamentation -form a striking contrast to the -design, structure and decoration of the present -age. The lady proprietress of this handsome -manor was to be seen with the white -cap and apron of a nurse, walking to and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>from her castle, in the service of the refugees.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The pretty rural names given these old -homesteads, such as Oakwood, Laurel -Grove, Ambleside Avenue, Arnos Vale and -many others, lend them another charm and -give a romantic touch to their beauty.</p> - -<p class='c006'>While the scenes witnessed among the refugees -were, for the most part, sad and depressing, -nevertheless a little incident occurred -which touched the mirthful chord in -our poor human nature, and afforded us the -rare pleasure of a good hearty laugh.</p> - -<p class='c006'>One afternoon during the last week of our -visit in England a message was received -from members of the Relief Committee in -Bradford, asking for an interpreter to come -to the assistance of some refugees at Oakwood, -whose affairs had become complicated. -Two of us set out immediately and -arrived at the office of the Relief Committee -to hold a conference on the subject. It -was decided to visit Oakwood at once and -make a thorough investigation of the case. -A party of three or four ladies, led by the -Hon. Mr. D——, of the Relief Committee, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span>arrived in a motor car at the entrance to the -lovely manor of Oakwood just as the heavy -branches of the ancient oaks had succeeded -in closing out the last rays of the setting sun.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Mr. D—— advanced with a firm determination -to make short work of the matter -and settle the difficulties with one good bang -of his big cane. He entered the portal, followed -by the ladies, and stood a moment before -the beautiful plate-glass doors, through -which the light of the hall lamp was reflecting -in all the colors of the rainbow on the -oak carvings of the outer doors. Not finding -the bell, he tapped gently on the door with -the top of his cane. Again and again this -act was repeated, but no response came, although -voices inside were distinctly audible.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Becoming quite impatient, Mr. D—— -lifted his cane and struck the door one or two -resounding blows, which were calculated -to attract the attention of the indifferent people -within. A deathly silence ensued for a -few moments, and then a chorus of women’s -voices began to cry out, “Call the police! -Call the police! ’Tis burglars! What do -they mean by coming here and breaking -<span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>down our doors?” One old lady approached -the door and asked: “Who is there, and -what do you want? We’re frightened almost -to death. Is that the way to do, to -come and pound on the door in that manner?” -By this time Mr. D—— had succeeded -in making himself heard, as he answered -in a tone of sincere sorrow, “I beg -pardon, ladies, I really beg pardon. I meant -no harm. I meant no harm at all.” By -this time the door was partially opened and -three panic-stricken old ladies appeared -within, while Mr. D——, with his hat in one -hand and the offending cane in the other, -was bowing most meekly and making elaborate -excuses to the ladies, who, seeing the -humble attitude of the supposed burglar, -ceased to call for the police and were disposed -to answer any reasonable question.</p> - -<p class='c006'>“Will you be kind enough to lead us to -the Belgian refugees?” asked Mr. D——. -“But,” said one of the ladies, “there are no -Belgians here. You’ve made a mistake. The -refugees are living in the castle yonder on -the next manor.”</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span>Thanking these good ladies for the information, -and again begging pardon for intrusion, -we left the portal with more humble -feelings than when we entered and proceeded -to the next castle.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The trouble here originated between two -parties of Belgians who, on account of language -(the one spoke French, the other -Flemish) and whose political views were -intensely antagonistic while yet in Belgium, -were unable to agree. Some slight changes -were made by the Relief Committee and all -dissension ceased.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Next morning a dense fog enveloped the -entire landscape. The damp, chilly atmosphere -seemed to penetrate every nook and -corner, and on the streets, at a few yards distance, -objects were scarcely visible. Some -necessary preparations were made for the -long-anticipated voyage to America, and -then we patiently awaited the rapidly approaching -steamer St. Paul, on her way to -Liverpool.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span> - <h2 id='XIX' class='c004'>CHAPTER XIX.<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Homeward Bound.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Saturday, October 31, at three o’clock in -the afternoon, a mixed assembly met on the -pier in Liverpool and gazed, with not a little -apprehension, at the roily waters of the -harbor and the ever-increasing clouds of -mist.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The St. Paul, while not one of the largest -or most pretentious of the American steamers, -is by no means the least. Nineteen years -ago she passed us in mid-ocean, although she -had left New York three days later than we. -Her parlors, refectory, and even the berths, -are exceedingly neat and comfortable. The -dining-room is particularly attractive. One -thing especially noticeable on this ship is -the absence of all disagreeable, smoky or -gaseous odors, which on some steamers -taint even the best-prepared viands, and -often cause a feeling of nausea the moment -one enters the gangway.</p> - -<p class='c006'>May her patron, the good St. Paul, who -on earth had taken so many perilous journeys -<span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>on land and sea, ever watch over his -graceful white sea-bird and lead her safely -into the wished-for harbor.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Promptly at five o’clock the gong, sounding -through the gangway, gave notice of departure. -For an hour or two we stood on -deck and gazed out upon the rapidly retreating -lights of Liverpool, casting their -rays so awkwardly through the heavy fog -which decked both land and sea.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When the last light fades out on the shore -and despondency overwhelms poor human -nature, exposed to the unseen dangers of the -deep, then confidence is restored by the -thought that we are ever in the presence of -Him whose watchful eye never closes, and -without Whose knowledge not even a sparrow -falls to the ground.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>CONFIDENCE.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>God is on the sea,</div> - <div class='line in2'>As well as on the land,</div> - <div class='line'>Since all the mighty powers that be</div> - <div class='line in2'>Are resting in His hand.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>He who gently moves the deep,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And holds the firmament above,</div> - <div class='line'>Will His people safely keep,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Who are trusting in His love.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>He who rules the swelling wave,</div> - <div class='line in2'>When the storm is raging nigh,</div> - <div class='line'>Can our tortured spirits save</div> - <div class='line in2'>From His Throne of Grace on high.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>And should the angel, Death,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Spread his wings above the wave,</div> - <div class='line'>Then our last, our dying breath,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Must be: Save! Oh Jesus, save!</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Grant us Thy celestial joy</div> - <div class='line in2'>In the realms of love and light,</div> - <div class='line'>Where no toils, no cares annoy,</div> - <div class='line in2'>The just one, in Thy sight.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Bring our spirits home to Thee,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Where the angels’ joyous band,</div> - <div class='line'>Far above the deep, dark sea,</div> - <div class='line in2'>’Round Thy throne forever stand.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c006'>Before concluding, it may not be out of -place to refer particularly to the noble feelings -of fraternal charity which existed -among the English people, not only in regard -to the Belgians, whom they so generously -received and housed, but also with respect -to their conduct toward their Catholic -fellow-citizens engaged with them in this -charitable work. We heard no more of -those petty enmities which so often had -arisen in times past as to race, creed or nationality. -The Catholic priest and Protestant -<span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>minister worked side by side in this -good work. Ladies of every denomination -united their efforts and offered their time -and money for the sole purpose of helping -the needy. No compensation was expected, -no material gains to be obtained. Thus -every work performed was a work of perfect -self-sacrifice, and deserved a greater reward -than earth can repay. A golden link -in the chain of love will ever more unite the -hearts of England and Belgium.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Further experience has shown that these -golden links have multiplied until the chain -extends across the Atlantic, and holds in its -friendly tangles the heart of America also; -who, of her rich abundance, has dealt out -to Belgium the clothing and life-giving -foodstuffs which during the past two years -have saved the country from famine.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When this period of anguish is over and -historians are recording for future generations -the horrors of this awful conflict, may -they also give just praise to the All-wise Being -who has caused the fragrant rose of -charity to bloom among the weeds of war.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>We were, or seemed to be, far out in the -Irish Sea before we could tear ourselves -away from that wonderful sight. The sea -was as yet quite calm, and a number of hungry -seagulls were flying around as if to bid -us a last farewell; so we remained on deck -until it was found necessary to enter and -make arrangements for the night.</p> - -<p class='c006'>We were sadly disappointed on that dismal -Hallow E’en in not being able to obtain -a glimpse of our own dear little Emerald -Isle, so near and dear, and yet so far away.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Next morning, Sunday, Feast of All -Saints, found us out in the deep waters of -the channel, but the sea still remained calm. -At half-past seven o’clock we assisted at the -Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, offered up in -one of the ship’s parlors.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When the service was ended we returned -to our rooms, where in a few hours we were -all undergoing severe attacks of seasickness.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When again we walked the deck it was to -inhale the invigorating salt sea breeze and -admire the wondrous waste of waters with -the clear blue sky above, and in the depths -<span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>reflected a most beautiful picture, “Sunset -on the Sea.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>A day or two later we encountered on -board, a Belgian woman en route for Illinois, -where her daughter was living. She -had only sufficient money to pay her passage -to New York City, and, being unable to -speak the English language, was in great -distress. The necessary sum was donated -by a Catholic clergyman of Massachusetts, -by a Belgian gentleman who was on -board, and a lady of the “Committee for the -Protection of Travelers.” All needful information -was given, and when we arrived -in New York City she was safely placed on -the midnight train for Illinois.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Thus ended a short but fascinating mission -among the Belgian refugees in England. -Thus ended the troubles, trials and -sorrows of three months in “The Great -War.”</p> - -<p class='c006'>May the gory cloud soon disappear from -the eastern skies and never, never darken the -gold and azure of our own American horizon.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>Transcriber’s note:</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c016'>The contents of pages 14 and 15 were printed in reverse order. This has been corrected.</p> - -<p class='c016'>Page 14, ‘honered’ changed to ‘honored,’ “like their time-honored forefathers”</p> - -<p class='c016'>Page 20, ‘discused’ changed to ‘discussed,’ “in which are represented and discussed”</p> - -<p class='c016'>Page 27, semicolon inserted after ‘peacemakers,’ “the peacemakers; “Blessed are the”</p> - -<p class='c016'>Page 33, double quote inserted before ‘Shrine,’ “or “Shrine of Our Blessed Lady”</p> - -<p class='c016'>Page 95, ‘soldeirs’ changed to ‘soldiers,’ “to depart, the soldiers had returned”</p> - -<p class='c016'>Page 105, ‘greatets’ changed to ‘greatest,’ “multitudes who, in the greatest haste”</p> - -<p class='c016'>Page 117, ‘adjoinig’ changed to ‘adjoining,’ “in the refectory or adjoining rooms”</p> - -<p class='c016'>Page 119, ‘almsot’ changed to ‘almost,’ “in an almost dying condition”</p> - -<p class='c016'>Page 125, ‘obilged’ changed to ‘obliged,’ “would be obliged to ride”</p> - -<p class='c016'>Page 129, ‘Bom’ changed to ‘Boom,’ “back of the Boom street”</p> - -<p class='c016'>Page 136, ‘callar’ changed to ‘cellar,’ “others in the cellar, returned”</p> - -<p class='c016'>Page 150, ‘Russel’ changed to ‘Russell,’ “Southampton Row, Russell Square, London”</p> - -<p class='c016'>Page 153, ‘Which’ changed to ‘which,’ “which seems to resemble”</p> - -<p class='c016'>Page 158, full stop changed to comma after ‘Mercier,’ “Card. Mercier, of the Archdiocese”</p> - -<p class='c016'>Page 161, ‘woman’s’ changed to ‘women’s,’ “in the women’s department during”</p> - -<p class='c016'>Page 167, ‘remians’ changed to ‘remains,’ “We saw the remains of the”</p> - -<p class='c016'>Page 172, double quote inserted after ‘doors?,’ “down our doors?” One old lady”</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> -<hr class="full" /> -<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FROM CONVENT TO CONFLICT***</p> -<p>******* This file should be named 56299-h.htm or 56299-h.zip *******</p> -<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> -<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/6/2/9/56299">http://www.gutenberg.org/5/6/2/9/56299</a></p> -<p> -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed.</p> - -<p>Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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