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From Convent to Conflict 
 
 OR 
 
 A NUN'S ACCOUNT OF THE INVASION 
 OF BELGIUM 
 
 BY 
 
 SISTER M. ANTONIA 
 
 Convent des Filles de Marie, Willehroeck, 
 
 Province of Antwerp, 
 
 Belgium 
 
 JOHN MURPHY COMPANY 
 
 PUBLISHERS 
 200 W LOMBARD ST. BALTIMORE, MP 
 
.Kl3b 
 
 COPYBIGHT 1916 BY 
 
 JOHN MURPHY COMPANY 
 
 Press op JOHN MURPHY COMPANY, Baltimore 
 
 CI.A433741 
 
 JUL 15 1916 
 
Sntrobuction 
 
 The publication of this little volume has 
 for its object a better understanding of act- 
 ual conditions, immediately following the 
 invasion of a hostile army. The hope is in- 
 dulged that the harrowing scenes witnessed 
 by the author in Belgium, after the German 
 invasion in 19 14, may induce our own coun- 
 trymen 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 re- 
 ception by the reading public or the char- 
 itably inclined are to be devoted to the re- 
 construction and repair of our school and 
 convent, damaged during the engagement at 
 the Fortress of Willebroeck, or for the es- 
 tablishment of a sewing school, with a lace- 
 making department, for young women in 
 America or England, as our Reverend Su- 
 periors may decide. 
 
Introduction. 
 
 Any assistance in this charitable work 
 will be gratefully appreciated by the au- 
 thor and her scattered community in Bel- 
 gium, England and Holland. 
 
 Sister M. Antonia. 
 
 Skaneateles, New York, 
 April 3rd, 1916. 
 
better of Sntrobuction 
 
 La Superieure du Couvent des Filles de 
 Marie a Willebroeck, Province d' Anvers, 
 en Belgique declare par la presente que ses 
 soeurs Marie Antoine et Marie Cecile sont 
 envoyees aux Extats Unis, a fin d' examiner 
 s' il y aurait noyen d' y etablir une colonie 
 de Filles de Marie; elle donne a Soeur M. 
 Antoine le Pouvoir d' agir en son nom afin 
 de prendre les mesures necessaires a cet effet. 
 
 SOEUR M. Berchmans. 
 Willebroeck, 29 September, 1914. 
 Approve: 
 
 D. J. Card. Mercier, Arch, de Malines 
 
 TRANSLATION. 
 
 The Superior of the Convent of the 
 Daughters of Mary, Willebrpeck, 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 
 
Letter of Introduction. 
 
 establishing a colony (mission) of the 
 Daughters of Mary there; she gives to Sis- 
 ter M. Antonia the power to act in her name 
 as to taking the measures necessary to this 
 
 effect. 
 
 Sister M. Berchmans. 
 
 Willebroeck, 29 September, 19 14. 
 
 Approved: 
 
 D. J. Card. Mercier, Arch, de Malines. 
 
Contentsi 
 
 Page 
 
 INTRODUCTION 3 
 
 LETTER OF INTRODUCTION 5 
 
 CHAP. I— The Boarding School 9 
 
 CHAP. II— Daily School Life 17 
 
 CHAP. Ill — The Parochial School, Convent and Gar- 
 den 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 en- 
 closing this ancient cloister, and many are 
 the gay young hearts protected and devel- 
 oped 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 
 
lo From Convent to Conflict 
 
 has something to do. One is crocheting; 
 another is finishing a piece of Irish lace; 
 still another is reviewing an article in a cer- 
 tain 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 an- 
 nual 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 de- 
 partment. This is to them the most import- 
 ant and interesting of all the rooms; needle- 
 work being a predominant feature in the 
 education of all young Belgian women. 
 After prayer, work begins. Some are cut- 
 ting patterns; others are putting pretty lace 
 
From Convent to Conflict i i 
 
 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, per- 
 haps, 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 win- 
 ning 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. 
 
12 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 abun- 
 dance 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 dis- 
 appears. If you tell her to be more careful 
 in future, she will laughingly reply: ^'Schu- 
 ren 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 dili- 
 gently are the hours employed, that the long 
 school day, from eight o'clock in the morn- 
 ing until seven in the evening, fleets quickly 
 away. The desks are stiff, and hard, and 
 heavy; but no one complains. The young 
 
From Convent to Conflict 13 
 
 Belgian women are devoted to their coun- 
 try 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 some- 
 times 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 pos- 
 sess stone or steam ovens, are obliged to buy 
 bread daily at the baker's. 
 
 When accustomed to the cool, invigorat- 
 ing climate of Belgium, a great contrast is 
 experienced in visiting America, and one, 
 
14 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 day out, all year long, for a small compen- 
 sation, 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, un- 
 less some one is ill, who, for the time, is ex- 
 cused from rising. After dressing, a sign is 
 given and all descend in strict silence to the 
 chapel for morning prayer and the holy sac- 
 rifice 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 sum- 
 
From Convent to Conflict 15 
 
 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- 
 honered forefathers, offer the first fruits of 
 the day to God, the giver of every good. 
 The churches are numerous, large and beau- 
 tiful, 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 shoul- 
 ders; 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 
 
1 6 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 mer evenings. In winter the time of recre- 
 ation 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 slum- 
 ber 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 re- 
 moved to another apartment. 
 
 To these general rules and regulations 
 there are exceptions on Sundays and special 
 festivals during the year. On those days spe- 
 cial 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. 
 
From Convent to Conflict 17 
 
 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 develop- 
 ing the spiritual, mental and physical pow- 
 ers of the body. 
 
 The uniform is quite becoming and at- 
 tractive. 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 
 
1 8 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 uni- 
 form 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. 
 
From Convent to Conflict 19 
 
 What teacher has not remarked, in the or- 
 dinary 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 afflu- 
 ent companion? There she sits, and, instead 
 of diligently studying her lesson, that sensi- 
 tive 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, un- 
 til 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 moth- 
 ers 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. 
 
20 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 Nearly every year since the opening of 
 the sewing and household schools an expo- 
 sition is held for about two weeks, in which 
 all suits, lace, embroidery, painting, mend- 
 ing 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 chil- 
 dren. Only those who have received such 
 invitations are allowed to visit the exposi- 
 tion. 
 
 It sometimes occurs that a dramatic per- 
 formance is given by the boarders as an en- 
 tertainment, wherein the play represents an 
 event of particular religious or historical 
 interest. In this case, also, only those in- 
 vited 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 dis- 
 cused 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. 
 
From Convent to Conflict 21 
 
 Another object of great interest is the 
 ^Tlay of the Birds/' presented by a French 
 Gentleman, when requested by the Super- 
 iors, 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 in- 
 tended to be impressed upon the minds of 
 the pupils is the result which can be ob- 
 tained from even the unreasoning creatures 
 around us, by the unceasing, unwavering in- 
 fluence of a loving, gentle, patient and per- 
 severing character. 
 
 When the children had entered the class- 
 room 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 pa- 
 per forgotten by one of the pupils. She 
 opened it and saw the portraits of the mur- 
 dered Crown Prince and his noble consort, 
 of Austria-Hungary, little recking the 
 awful import of that heinous crime to her 
 own fair country. 
 
22 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 Was it the heat, or was it the harbinger of 
 coming woe? A feeling of sadness so sel- 
 dom experienced in the life of a zealous re- 
 ligious took possession of the Sister and car- 
 ried her for the moment beyond her Con- 
 vent 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 sun- 
 ny, cloudless sky, the trees laden with ripen- 
 ing 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 in- 
 nocent inhabitants of a peace-loving nation, 
 while her crops, over-ripe for the harvest. 
 
From Convent to Conflict 23 
 
 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 igno- 
 ble 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 poor- 
 est 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 
 
24 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 ap- 
 proached 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 arro- 
 gant 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 acquisi- 
 tion of fame and glory, in the possession of 
 
From Convent to Conflict 25 
 
 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. Tlie 
 entire lives of many people are consumed in 
 a fruitless search after the vain and perish- 
 able 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 sur- 
 face 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 Thy- 
 self, and our hearts are ever troubled, ever 
 agitated, until they find rest in Thee." 
 
26 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 gath- 
 ers 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 lit- 
 tle 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, 
 
From Convent to Conflict 27 
 
 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 morn- 
 ing." 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 peace- 
 makers "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 pl^y tag, or continue their 
 needlework in the shade of the wide-spread- 
 ing trees. During certain seasons of the 
 year all children play "beads," which is 
 quite similar to a game of marbles. Hap- 
 pier 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 
 
28 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 chil- 
 dren'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 dan- 
 ger of fracturing more than the pavement 
 when this play begins. 
 
 Sister M. Anastatia has been for about 
 twenty-eight years preceptress in the board- 
 ing-school. She is a small, slight figure, 
 whose very presence has a kind of magic 
 influence upon all around her. At her en- 
 trance and during her lessons perfect order 
 prevails. Authority and precision, softened 
 by great kindness of heart, are the distinc- 
 
From Convent to Conflict 29 
 
 tive 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, de- 
 serves 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 re- 
 markable, 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 exer- 
 cises. Nowhere are greater pains taken to de- 
 
30 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 velop 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 Due, 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 draw- 
 ing, painting and penmanship. The Eng- 
 lish and German languages are taught in 
 the higher departments. 
 
 Proceeding from the Boarding-school, 
 the visitor is led around to the long play- 
 ground of the Parochial School of Wille- 
 broeck. Here between six and seven hun- 
 dred 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. 
 
From Convent to Conflict 31 
 
 Scarcely have the Sisters finished dinner, 
 when the throng of pupils are at the gate 
 again, eager for admittance. See them com- 
 ing 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 'Tensionnaires" (Boarders), 
 in fine high-heeled shoes. 
 
 The continual use of wooden shoes is hurt- 
 ful to the feet. They hinder the develop- 
 ment of natural gracefulness in walking and 
 cause the feet to become large and very flat. 
 
 Sister M. Stanislas superintends the Paro- 
 chial 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 prov- 
 ince. In company with her associates, the 
 assistant teachers, she attends the confer- 
 ences, writes articles on education and con- 
 
32 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 ference work, directs the sewing depart- 
 ment; 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' External (parochial 
 school) one enters that part of the garden 
 especially assigned to the use of the Sisters 
 during recreation. It adjoins the large gar- 
 den 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 house- 
 hold schools. At a short distance from the 
 school is the '^Gloriette" (arbor), or sum- 
 mer house, surrounded by a very beautiful 
 collection of rose bushes, then in full bloom. 
 There are beds also containing many varie- 
 ties of flowers, palms and evergreens. 
 
From Convent to Conflict 33 
 
 In the distance is seen the Convent chapel, 
 with its small belfry. It seems so insignifi- 
 cant 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 Con- 
 vent life, when as a child she parted with 
 her dearly beloved parents, St. Joachim and 
 St. Anna, and entered the Temple of Jeru- 
 salem, where the years of her childhood 
 were passed in work, in prayer, and in de- 
 vout communion with the Divine Being, 
 who was "Lord of the Temple." 
 
 The number of Religious now in the Con- 
 vent is fifty. They are Sisters of the Augus- 
 tinian Order, bearing the name of Filles de 
 Marie (Daughters of Mary). The Mother 
 
34 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 House, wherein reside the Superior Gen- 
 eral, Rev. Mother M. Berchmans, and As- 
 sistant Superior, Rev. Sister M. Gabrielle, 
 is, and has been for about fifty years, in the 
 tow^n 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 dur- 
 ing their novitiate. 
 
 The mission houses are Thisselt, Blaes- 
 velt, 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 
 
From Convent to Conflict 35 
 
 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 Com- 
 munity as the passing away of a sunbeam. 
 For them it was only a happy transition 
 from the sorrows of time to the joys of eter- 
 nity. We gazed on those faces so pure, so 
 calm, so majestic, even after the spirit had 
 fled, and recalled the words of Holy Scrip- 
 ture, "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 num- 
 ber of Sisters in the Convent who have al- 
 ready 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. 
 
36 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 A new School Law was passed, and the 
 Crucifix and images of the saints were pro- 
 hibited 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 fur- 
 nished 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 Sis- 
 ters became more or less alarming. Several 
 prominent gentlemen in the town, among 
 whom was Mr. Erix, the father of our pres- 
 ent 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 Burgomas- 
 ter, Mr. De Naeyer, being in great need of 
 
From Convent to Conflict 37 
 
 assistance, came to the Convent and asked 
 for Sisters as nurses. Regardless of their 
 past grievances, occasioned by the bitter op- 
 position 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 bed- 
 side of their stricken fellow-creatures until 
 the epidemic ceased. Strange to say, not 
 one of the Sisters contracted the disease, al- 
 though numbers of their patients died each 
 day. 
 
 Only two of those heroines of charity and 
 self-sacrifice now survive: Sister M. There- 
 sia and Sister M. Perpetua. These two Sis- 
 ters, 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. 
 
38 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The Cloister. 
 
 Proceeding from the little Grotto of 
 Lourdes, where the Sisters kneel in the even- 
 ing 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 consid- 
 ered 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 pre- 
 sented. 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 
 
From Convent to Conflict 39 
 
 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 with- 
 out 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 al- 
 ready graduates, this course is usually fol- 
 lowed 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, espe- 
 cially devoted to the private use of the "pro- 
 fessed 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. 
 
40 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 Chris- 
 tus" (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 faith- 
 fully and diligently as possible; and the 
 good "All Father" provides. They join 
 
From Convent to Conflict 41 
 
 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 de- 
 sire and search for pleasure, pastime and 
 self-satisfaction ; but finding only pain, cha- 
 grin and remorse; that is, finally, the insa- 
 tiable 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. 
 
42 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 know- 
 ing that every disappearing mile-post re- 
 duces 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 
 
From Convent to Conflict 43 
 
 and forever deprived of the joys and pleas- 
 ures 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 mountain- 
 side. His wonderful attributes become vis- 
 ible to a certain degree in every object 
 around her. She admires His Divine Provi- 
 dence 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 influ- 
 ence 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 sane- 
 
44 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 tity which a Christian should leave in his 
 wake; and if, as sometimes occurs, one ob- 
 serves anything which mars the beautiful 
 face of Nature or disturbs the peaceful 
 course of events, it brings to mind the revolt- 
 ing 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 crea- 
 ture 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 hap- 
 pier life has begun. With eyes and hearts 
 fixed on heaven, they have forgotten the 
 earth and, enraptured, cry out: 
 
From Convent to Conflict 45 
 
 "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.) 
 
46 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 The Approaching Storm. 
 
 July's sun sank gently away on the west- 
 ern horizon, and its last rays lit up the rip- 
 ening fruit, the plants and flowers in the 
 garden. It seemed to linger for a last fare- 
 well 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 na- 
 tion. 
 
 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 neu- 
 trality, had refused the Kaiser's army ac- 
 cess to his territory to attack the French. 
 Had a thunderbolt fallen from a clear sky, 
 
From Convent to Conflict 47 
 
 or an earthquake shaken the ground under 
 foot, it would scarcely have surprised or ter- 
 rorized the people more than did the Kais- 
 er's declaration of war against this free and 
 happy little kingdom. 
 
 When hostilities broke out between Aus- 
 tria and Servia, while realizing the possi- 
 bility 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 na- 
 tions. 
 
 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 judg- 
 ment upon the nations or individuals en- 
 gaged in it; nevertheless, viewing the pres- 
 ent condition of affairs in Europe from an- 
 other standpoint, and drawing conclusions 
 from observation and personal experience, 
 
48 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 peo- 
 ple. This right was disregarded in a most 
 ruthless manner for many years, as is evi- 
 dent 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 thou- 
 sands of incautious souls bereft of all en- 
 nobling 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, al- 
 
From Convent to Conflict 49 
 
 though 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 intel- 
 lect developed in times of peace and pros- 
 perity, so as to reach apparently the limit 
 of effort, have exhausted their entire re- 
 sources 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 
 
50 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 unfet- 
 tered, 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. 
 
From Convent to Conflict 51 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Changes. 
 
 When our minds, bewildered by the un- 
 expected 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 prepara- 
 tions were made as quickly as possible, and 
 early next morning the boarders, accom- 
 panied 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. 
 
52 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 ar- 
 rangement of the Boarding-school began, 
 and in a few days the united assistance of 
 strong hands and willing hearts have ac- 
 complished 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-im- 
 portant work of strengthening the fortifica- 
 tion of Willebroeck. This cellar, half filled 
 with water by the dislodgment of the pipes 
 leading to the cisterns, became later the re- 
 
From Convent to Conflict 53 
 
 ceptacle of the bomb which passed through 
 the chapel, shattering the walls and win- 
 dows 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 morn- 
 ing, 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 pub- 
 lic market-place in each city and village. 
 Here they were examined and those unfit re- 
 jected. We know not whether any compen- 
 sation 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 pedple who gave seven, 
 some nine, and one, we knew, who gave thir- 
 teen or fourteen. Thus, just about the time 
 that the harvest was ripe in the fields, men 
 
54 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 hap- 
 pened occasionally, their poor old horses 
 were rejected by the officers. Shortly there- 
 after all the bicycles and motor cars had to 
 be delivered, and yet neither complaint nor 
 murmur was heard on the part of the peo- 
 ple, who patiently resigned themselves to 
 the unhappy lot which had befallen them. 
 
 The gazettes and daily papers were eag- 
 erly read, although little reliable informa- 
 tion could be obtained. Encouraging news 
 in the evening was usually contradicted in 
 the morning, while reports of the most ter- 
 rible atrocities; of men murdered in cold 
 blood; of open and gross lawlessness and 
 evil conduct, terrorized the peaceful popu- 
 lation in the unprotected towns and villages. 
 
 Shortly after the war began letters were 
 received from His Eminence, Card. Mer- 
 cier. Archbishop of Malines, requesting the 
 use of the schools and other locales for a 
 
From Convent to Conflict 55 
 
 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 chang- 
 ing 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 sev- 
 eral classrooms. One classroom became an 
 office for chaplain and doctors. Another 
 department became an operating room. An- 
 other 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 
 
56 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 bag- 
 gage. 
 
 Willebroeck, a large village between An- 
 twerp and Brussels, about two miles from 
 the City of Boom, had increased greatly in 
 population, wealth and manufacturing dur- 
 ing 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 in- 
 dustries 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, be- 
 ing 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. 
 
From Convent to Conflict 57 
 
 No wonder that the people raced to and 
 fro that hot Sunday morning, carrying bun- 
 dles, dragging wagons with household fur- 
 niture and fixtures ; wheeling trunks, cloth- 
 ing, stoves, pictures, bedding and every ar- 
 ticle 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 excite- 
 ment. 
 
 Fortunately, the first message was fol- 
 lowed by another whereby the people were 
 allowed more time to get their personal 
 property in safety before the work of ''burn- 
 ing 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 hard- 
 ship. 
 
 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 vil- 
 lage refugees. In a short time cows, horses, 
 chickens, coal, grain, vegetables, furniture 
 and everything that one can well imagine 
 
58 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 filled up the schools and gardens. The cat- 
 tle, 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 furni- 
 ture 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 mur- 
 mur; 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. 
 
From Convent to Conflict 59 
 
 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 bur- 
 den that one bears on his shoulder is borne 
 in the heart of another, who, while alleviat-. 
 ing the wants of his neighbor, must think of 
 his own approaching ruin. 
 
 In such moments, while the seal of hum- 
 ble submission is stamped on the sorrow- 
 stricken heart of suffering humanity, the 
 haughty arrogance of creatures recedes be- 
 fore 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, 
 
6o From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 re- 
 sistance more determined? Belgian ofii- 
 cers 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 Gerrnans 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 
 
From Convent to Conflict 6i 
 
 they advanced, avoiding as much as possi- 
 ble the heavy fires in front." Another Bel- 
 gian officer at the fortress during the battle 
 said: ^'It resembled a storm of fiery hail- 
 stones from a cloud of smoke, in an atmos- 
 phere suffocating with heat and the smell of 
 pov^der." 
 
 Eyewitnesses relate that heaps of slain, 
 yards high, were found on the battle field, 
 while columns of lifeless bodies were ob- 
 served 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 youVe rendered me, since it 
 gives me the opportunity of leaving the bat- 
 tle field." 
 
 Much was said about the valor of the sol- 
 diers on both sides during the siege of Liege. 
 The Germans were obliged to advance in 
 
62 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 Ger- 
 mans as friends or foes, all must admit that 
 their courage, endurance and military tac- 
 tics have surprised the whole world. 
 
 Sad it is to think that such manhood, in- 
 telligence 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 char- 
 acteristic 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 bat- 
 tle at the fortress of Liege, one of the sol- 
 diers began to sing the well-known national 
 hymn, ^The Proud Flemish Lion," Im^ 
 
From Convent to Conflict 63 
 
 mediately the strains were taken up by the 
 whole regiment, and thus singing, they ad- 
 vanced 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 mili- 
 tary 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 ad- 
 dressed 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 dem- 
 onstrating the uselessness of the old-time 
 means of protection when obliged to with- 
 stand the shells and bombs of modern siege, 
 guns. 
 
 The German officers themselves praised 
 the valor of the Belgians. We were 
 
64 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 told that the German commander refused 
 to accept the sword from the Belgian officer, 
 unwilling to submit the latter to this humili- 
 ation, 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 su- 
 perior forces of the enemy and the all-de- 
 stroying 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 Bel- 
 gians. 
 
 These fought long and valiantly in expec- 
 tation of assistance from the Allies, who, un- 
 prepared for the sudden progress of the 
 campaign, were unable to render the neces- 
 sary assistance in the beginning of the war. 
 This is the explanation which was given by 
 both the French and English as to the tar- 
 diness in the arrival of the help expected 
 from those countries. 
 
From Convent to Conflict 65 
 
 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 resi- 
 dents were taken prisoners as hostages. 
 These, as a rule, are put to death if the re- 
 quirements of the enemy be not exactly met. 
 
 Some time later we heard that these hos- 
 tages 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 institu- 
 tions, and the seat of her missionary forces. 
 
 Consternation filled the minds of the Bel- 
 gians at the needless destruction of this an- 
 cient city, with its treasures of art and sculp- 
 ture, its schools, colleges, libraries, and par- 
 ticularly its world-renowned university. 
 
66 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 Brus- 
 sels. 
 
 Well do we remember that beautiful sum- 
 mer 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 An- 
 twerp, with the archives and treasures of the 
 Government. 
 
 Our hearts seemed to grow cold and lead- 
 en 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 
 
From Convent to Conflict 67 
 
 approach of the enemy and quietly surren- 
 dered the City of Brussels, Belgium's beau- 
 tiful capital. To have fought without for- 
 tifications against such superior forces as the 
 Germans possessed would have been a use- 
 less sacrifice of life. 
 
 Strict, in the extreme, were the regula- 
 tions enforced by the Germans in the differ- 
 ent places which they entered. They also 
 levied enormous war taxes. Bold and un- 
 daunted 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 complet- 
 ing the fortification of Willebroeck, said to 
 be amongst the strongest in the world, con- 
 tinued, 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 propell- 
 ing, 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 
 
68 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 Blaes- 
 velt, belonging to a former Belgian Ambas- 
 sador to Washington, whose wife was a na- 
 tive 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 byboring 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 warn- 
 ing; 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 occur- 
 
From Convent to Conflict 69 
 
 rences 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, ex- 
 cept such as were imperative for the direc- 
 tion 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; sec- 
 ond, 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 gen- 
 tlemen, about thirty-five in all, wearing 
 white bands with red crosses on their arms, 
 and long white linen coats over their uni- 
 forms, such as bakers sometimes wear, 
 
70 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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. Sev- 
 eral 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 differ- 
 ent 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 posible 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 ex- 
 ploded shells. One careless step may cause 
 
From Convent to Conflict 71 
 
 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 conse- 
 crated themselves to the service of the sick 
 and wounded soldiers, and God gives them 
 strength and courage according to their ne- 
 cessities." 
 
 When found, the wounded are brought 
 into the first post on stretchers or in ambu- 
 lance 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 examina- 
 tion takes place and the necessary operations 
 are performed, which consist principally in 
 the extraction of bullets, setting and ampu- 
 tation of broken limbs, etc. 
 
 Here they remain until they become con- 
 valescent, unless the number of wounded 
 soldiers increases to such a degree as to pre- 
 vent 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. 
 
72 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 as- 
 sist at the operation. If the soldier is mor- 
 tally wounded and there is apprehension of 
 immediate dissolution, he remains in the 
 sheets and is lovingly cared for by these gen- 
 tlemen until death occurs. Then the body 
 is rolled in the sheet, placed in a cofEn 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. Sev- 
 eral 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 Su- 
 perior. 
 
From Convent to Conflict 73 
 
 On another day a woman and her daugh- 
 ter-in-law came from a great distance in- 
 quiring for her son, the young woman's hus- 
 band. 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 laun- 
 dry, 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 untjl late in the night. 
 
 The condition of the poor maimed sol- 
 diers was sad to behold. One man, we were 
 tcld by the Red Cross nurses, had twenty 
 bullets in his body; another was pierced 
 through the lung by a bayonet; one, aged 
 
74 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 distress- 
 ing, 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 admit- 
 ted, 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. 
 
From Convent to Conflict 7 
 
 /3 
 
 One day we were called upon to witness 
 a most sorrowful sight. A small farmer's 
 wagon drove up to the gate, bearing the life- 
 less 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 shat- 
 tered. 
 
 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 
 
76 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 DeLatte, who examined the bodies of these 
 children, stated that they were shot at a dis- 
 tance 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 sup- 
 plied by the Government for the use of the 
 soldiers. The Sisters performed the work 
 and used a great deal of their own provi- 
 sions 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, hem- 
 ming and stitching these articles and in pre- 
 paring 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 chil- 
 dren could not surpass the devoted kindness 
 
From Convent to Conflict 77 
 
 of the members of the Red Cross in their 
 services to the wounded. Nothing that 
 could be done to assist or alleviate their suf- 
 ferings 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 oft the clumsy, mud- 
 dy 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 sta- 
 tion. Again there was hurrying to and fro. 
 The large wagon was opened and every- 
 thing 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, 
 
78 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 on account of the condition in which he was 
 found by the physicians, could not be re- 
 moved 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 
 
From Convent to Conflict 79 
 
 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. 
 
8o From Convent to Conflict 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The Return of the Army. 
 
 A little after four o'clock one afternoon, 
 shortly before the departure of the first divi- 
 sion of the Red Cross, our attention was at- 
 tracted 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 suf- 
 fering 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 occupa- 
 tions. 
 
 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 
 
From Convent to Conflict 8i 
 
 their ranks from both sides of the road. Sev- 
 eral 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 chap- 
 lains, 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 gild- 
 ed trimmings. They also wore the arm- 
 band of the Red Cross. Officers on horse- 
 back led each division of the army. The 
 faces of all were disfigured with sweat and 
 
82 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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, pite- 
 ously 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 refu- 
 gees were obliged to depart, received the 
 
From Convent to Conflict 83 
 
 various divisions of the army which were 
 allotted to them. About two hundred sol- 
 diers were assigned to those parts of our 
 Parochial School unoccupied by the vil- 
 lage 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 swol- 
 len that the patients had to be carried in on 
 stretchers. In the meantime, several ambu- 
 lance wagons had stopped at the school gate, 
 and numerous wounded were carried in. 
 
 When finally one division entered d' Ex- 
 ternat, 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. 
 
84 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 ket- 
 tle 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 pa- 
 tiently waiting for their supper. When this 
 
From Convent to Conflict 85 
 
 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 re- 
 marked that each division was under the di- 
 rection 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' break- 
 
86 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 fast of bread and black coffee. Their only 
 fear was that a message to depart would ar- 
 rive before they would have a chance of 
 ^*Coffie drinken" (drinking coffee, or break- 
 fast). 
 
 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 great- 
 ly 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 pris- 
 oners a number of citizens and placed them 
 in front of their own ranks. The boys had 
 lost their parents in the confusion which en- 
 sued 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 per- 
 mitted to remain after the arrival of the Red 
 Cross. 
 
From Convent to Conflict 87 
 
 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, fly- 
 ing gracefully over our schools. How we 
 then feared for our wounded, so helplessly 
 lying within these same walls. One morn- 
 ing, 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 soarixig 
 as a huge bird over the fortress. Mettrail- 
 leusen opened fire upon it, and the unwel- 
 come 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 
 
88 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 were digging trenches and fortifying them- 
 selves on all sides of us. Every newspaper 
 brought fresh tidings of most inhuman 
 atrocities which filled the minds of the peo- 
 ple 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 sor- 
 rowing at home. 
 
 It was alone, as should be known by every- 
 one, the Godless element in the German 
 army, led on and sustained by equally God- 
 less officers, who encouraged, permitted and 
 probably commanded those crimes, as we in- 
 fer 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." 
 
From Convent to Conflict 89 
 
 It seems incredible that any one claiming 
 Christian convictions of any creed or coun- 
 try, could have acted as did the so-called 
 barbarians who despoiled many of the most 
 beautiful cities, towns and villages of Bel- 
 gium. 
 
go From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 cannon- 
 ade increased from that day forward. Hard- 
 ly 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 f atigu- 
 
From Convent to Conflict 91 
 
 ing day's work, the short repose was inter- 
 rupted by the explosion of bombs or cannon 
 balls, which, although then at a safe dis- 
 tance 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 pre- 
 paring 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. 
 
92 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 who were pierced by bayonets at a short dis- 
 tance 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, crack- 
 ling sound of a shell or bomb flying through 
 the air in the direction of the church spire 
 which towered above the walls of the Con- 
 vent chapel. Several others followed in 
 quick succession. All the convalescent sol- 
 diers 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 with- 
 in, who could not leave their beds. Soon 
 the attack was answered by a heavy volley 
 from the fortress, and the cannonade con- 
 tmued 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. 
 
From Convent to Conflict 93 
 
 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 safe- 
 ty 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 
 
94 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 re- 
 ported that supplies of weapons and ammu- 
 nition, among which was dynamite, were 
 found in public buildings in Antwerp, care- 
 fully 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 
 
From Convent to Conflict 95, 
 
 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 down- 
 stairs to make inquiries about the situation. 
 At the first sound of the alarm a party of 
 soldiers and their officer went out to ascer- 
 tain 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 soldeirs had returned, whose 
 officer laughingly related that it was only a 
 party of Belgian "Lanciers" in gray uni- 
 form, 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. 
 
96 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 Then followed anxious days for the resi- 
 dents of Willebroeck, who expected mo- 
 mentarily to hear the alarm clock in the 
 church tower give notice to flee for their 
 lives. The oflicers of the Belgian army 
 were very sanguine, and assured the Supe- 
 rior and those in charge of the wounded 
 that timely notice would be given if the dan- 
 ger 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 ex- 
 treme. 
 
 In striking contrast to the noise and com- 
 motion on all sides, was the calm tranquil- 
 ity which reigned in the chapel. The 
 Sacred Heart stretched forth that same Fa- 
 therly hand which assisted the apostle sink- 
 ing 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. 
 
From Convent to Conflict 97 
 
 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 de- 
 signs 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 car- 
 ried the mind to that future and better life 
 where neither the pride, avarice, nor am- 
 bition of man can ever destroy the eternal 
 peace, nor break the impregnable union of 
 hearts. 
 
98 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 The Flight of the Refugees. 
 
 While the aforesaid events were taking 
 place, sorrowful scenes were witnessed 
 along the streets. Our attention and sympa- 
 thies 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 dole- 
 ful procession passed along the streets ; a liv- 
 ing 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 sol- 
 dier'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 blan- 
 kets thrown over their shoulders, placed in 
 carts or wagons and carried away, perhaps, 
 to perish by the roadside. We have seen 
 
From Convent to Conflict 99 
 
 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 bom- 
 barded without having received any notice, 
 the civilians had no alternative but to col- 
 lect a few necessary articles of clothing, and 
 in some cases a loaf of bread, and flee in 
 haste from their homes, leaving crops, cat- 
 tle, furniture and all their possessions to the 
 fury of the flames and the tide of destruc- 
 tion, so rapidly sweeping down upon them. 
 
 Many people of the wealthier class, antic- 
 ipating 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 
 
loo From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 home- 
 steads in a few days, left everything un- 
 touched and fled from city to village and 
 from town to town. We met parties of ac- 
 quaintances 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 peo- 
 ple, 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 
 
From Convent to Conflict ioi 
 
 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, beseech- 
 ing shelter over night in the church or 
 schools, which were already full to over- 
 flowing. The days were warm and pleas- 
 ant, 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 fam- 
 ishing, until the kindly and protecting arms 
 
I02 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 testify- 
 ing 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 ammuni- 
 tion to any of the belligerent countries. It 
 reminds one of a great conflagration, in 
 which the firemen exert themselves to sub- 
 due the flames, while a few pour on oil to 
 replenish the fire. This will be a last- 
 ing reproach to those engaged in this de- 
 stroying traffic. ''There is no pocket in a 
 shroud," and the bloodstained money ob- 
 tained in this manner will not assuage the 
 pain and grief of the orphan and widow, 
 nor will it purchase redemption at the judg- 
 ment seat above. 
 
From Convent to Conflict io-: 
 
 3 
 
 As the danger increased, difficulties in 
 the way of traveling also increased. Pass- 
 ports, upon which were indicated the dis- 
 tinguishing 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 Bur- 
 gomaster of the town or city wherein he re- 
 sided. If these requirements were not com- 
 plied 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 
 
I04 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 num- 
 bers 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 previous- 
 ly left Antwerp for Holland. In these 
 countries thousands of them will prayer- 
 fully await the dawn of peace, which will 
 decide the future destiny of their country. 
 
 The events already related occurred be- 
 tween the first of August and the 27th of 
 September. Sunday, September 27, passed 
 off quietly in Willebroeck, although refu- 
 gees 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. 
 
From Convent to Conflict io; 
 
 In the evening one of the refugees re- 
 turned from a hurried visit to the scene of 
 his former home, and related to his daugh- 
 ter, who anxiously awaited his arrival, that 
 the enemy had made great headway. "To- 
 morrow 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 circu- 
 lated 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 at- 
 tracted by the multitudes who, in the great- 
 ets haste, took flight through the Zandpoort- 
 vest. They were the residents of Muysen. 
 The German troops, about eight hundred 
 
io6 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 Desire 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 explo- 
 sions, such as we had never before heard. 
 All the people who had come from the di- 
 rection 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 an- 
 other. 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 
 
From Convent to Conflict 107 
 
 pierced the ground to the depth of two me- 
 ters. 
 
 "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, ex- 
 ploding, 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 cov- 
 ered 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. 
 
io8 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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." 
 
From Convent to Conflict 109 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 The Results of War. 
 
 Centuries ago, when Attila, known in his- 
 tory as the "Scourge of God," led his army 
 of Huns through the fertile fields of Eu- 
 rope, we read that he gazed upon the ruin 
 which he had caused his soldiers to perpe- 
 trate 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 build- 
 ings a more than human strength and beauty 
 seemed enclosed, it appears that the Angel 
 of Destruction has extended his deadly scep- 
 tre over the works of man and congealed 
 those streams of life which once flowed 
 through the streets now deserted and homes 
 
no From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 strip- 
 ped 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 ap- 
 parent 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,where- 
 in the "Klokken" (chimes) so often pealed 
 forth the call to prayer, are now abandoned, 
 and their battered walls and broken win- 
 dows look sadly down upon the deserted 
 homesteads from which life has passed 
 away. 
 
From Convent to Conflict i i i 
 
 The schools no more re-echo the gay 
 sounds of children's voices, while the fam- 
 ishing little ones and their destitute parents 
 are dying of hunger and privation or beg- 
 ging 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 illum- 
 ines the evening sky and reveals in the dark- 
 ness the ghastly spectres of partially demol- 
 ished 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 
 
112 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 dis- 
 tance, 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 
 
From Convent to Conflict i i 3 
 
 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 re- 
 peatedly 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 
 
114 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 men into savage brutes — then we also agree 
 that '^The world has gone back a thousand 
 years," while a presentiment as of impend- 
 ing disaster passes over the earth and de- 
 presses 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 whole- 
 sale destruction of life, liberty and property. 
 
 From the dark abodes of despair, the co- 
 horts of satan seem to have taken possession 
 of the world and filled it with vice and 
 wretchedness, until it resembles the '^abomi- 
 nation of desolation" referred to in Holy 
 Writ. 
 
 To know what war is, it would be neces- 
 sary 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 an- 
 guish in the heart of each suffering fellow- 
 creature, from the moment the first shot was 
 fired down through ages yet to come, until 
 
From Convent to Conflict 115 
 
 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, pas- 
 sion, wilful murder and other high crimes 
 against God and nature, engendered and 
 committed, not in the moment of strong in- 
 dividual 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 neces- 
 sary means for securing peace." (His Emi- 
 nence, Cardinal Mercier.) May we hum- 
 bly add, then only as the last resort. 
 
ii6 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 resi- 
 dents 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 oSicers, that timely warning 
 would be given as to the necessity of depar- 
 ture, 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 for- 
 tress 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. 
 
From Convent to Conflict 117 
 
 Our Sisters and servant maids, as also the 
 generous women refugees of Willebroeck, 
 continued their sickening task in the laun- 
 dry. 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 at- 
 tracted by the odor of blood, buzzed around 
 in a most disagreeable manner. 
 
 The whole scene left an ineffaceable im- 
 pression of sadness and horror at the un- 
 wonted 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 adjoinig rooms, and 
 kept busy making surgical dressings for the 
 wounded, of whom a larger number than 
 usual had been brought into the hospital. 
 
ii8 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 At intervals during the night the cannon- 
 ade w^as heard, while the searchlights of the 
 fortress penetrated the clouds on the look- 
 out for the murderous Zeppelins. Morn- 
 ing 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 Bel- 
 gians were equally determined to prevent 
 them, or to at least check their progress. 
 
 On Tuesday, September 29, the daily rou- 
 tine of the Convent took place as usual 
 until noon, when the cannonade became ter- 
 rific. A balloon, the meaning of which we 
 did not know, had been sent up by the ene- 
 my. Some said it was to discover the posi- 
 tion of the Belgians and, if possible, ascer- 
 tain their strength. The Reverend Supe- 
 rior 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 
 
From Convent to Conflict 119 
 
 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 almsot dying condition, were being 
 dragged out of their beds, dressed and hur- 
 riedly carried away to Antwerp, or to an- 
 other place of refuge. One can never for- 
 get 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 be- 
 fore. He was sorely troubled when he 
 
I20 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 swim- 
 ming in the pond; the fruit trees and flow- 
 ers ; 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 
 
From Convent to Conflict 121 
 
 take the risk than to go and endure the vicis- 
 situdes 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 cav- 
 alrymen 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 fur- 
 ther 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 Supe- 
 rior 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 
 
122 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 Bris- 
 tol, 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, ex- 
 pecting 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 ar- 
 rive. 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 
 
From Convent to Conflict 123 
 
 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 fruit- 
 less 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 vocabu- 
 lary, at last succeeded in sending him to the 
 General of the Belgian Army, then in a res- 
 taurant 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 An- 
 twerp 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 
 
124 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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. ^Tapa, Mam- 
 ma," 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 Sis- 
 ters 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. Unfortu- 
 nately for us, the wounded had been taken 
 to Antwerp in motor cars and our train re- 
 mained 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 depar- 
 ture from Boom. It was too late and de- 
 cidedly dangerous to return to the home of 
 our Sisters in the city, and a long night in 
 this stationary train seemed unendurable. 
 
From Convent to Conflict 125 
 
 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, nev- 
 ertheless, 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 ofif. It was so dark 
 that we could hardly distinguish the trees 
 or buildings along the route. 
 
126 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 An- 
 twerp. We thanked the good ''Chef" heart- 
 ily and paid the station-master to accom- 
 pany 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, 
 
From Convent to Conflict 127 
 
 we rang at the residence of Madame Broe- 
 linckx, mother of one of the Sisters of our 
 company. This lady and her daughters re- 
 ceived us with the greatest hospitality. 
 They provided food and sleeping apart- 
 ments, 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, re- 
 gardless of the dangerous Zeppelins which 
 could have been flying over our heads. Next 
 day we visited some of the magnificent 
 churches in th^ city. These were filled to 
 overflowing with pious worshipers at every 
 service. 
 
 In the Church of the Jesuits, which we 
 attended, it was difl^cult to find a seat, 
 so great were the throngs who attend- 
 ed 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 
 
128 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 and cannon balls had followed us from 
 Willebroeck. 
 
 We had never heard more zeal in the ser- 
 mons, 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 An- 
 twerp. 
 
 In such circumstances, when the courage 
 is about to fail at the approach of an inev- 
 itable doom which no human power can re- 
 sist, then will the most haughty and indif- 
 ferent fall on their knees and pray. 
 
 A day or two after our arrival in An- 
 twerp, in company with the Misses Broe- 
 linckx, 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 crow- 
 
From Convent to Conflict 129 
 
 bar, 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 Bom 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 Wille- 
 broeck, Madame De Naeyer. Besides a 
 
I30 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 number of invalids, there were about one 
 hundred orphan children in this institution 
 when the bombardment of the village be- 
 gan. 
 
 One of the Sisters said, that while carry- 
 ing the invalids from their beds into the cel- 
 lar, 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 re- 
 main 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 depar- 
 ture. 
 
 Greatly desiring to hear something from 
 the Convent, I resolved to ride over to Aert- 
 selaar with the milkmaid, as all the trains in 
 this direction had ceased to run, and no 
 other conveyance could be found. I went 
 
From Convent to Conflict 131 
 
 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 di- 
 rection 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 assem- 
 bled. 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 ar- 
 ranged to hold a union meeting in a room 
 adjoining the Jesuit Church, at which all 
 were requested to be present, every day. 
 
132 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 stay- 
 ing. This town, quite a distance from the 
 city, was considered perfectly safe. How- 
 ever, 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 ref- 
 
From Convent to Conflict 133 
 
 ugees in Aertselaar were commanded to 
 leave. This compelled the Reverend Supe- 
 rior 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 con- 
 veyance of some kind and rode on to the 
 ^'port" of the city. When they reached the 
 large gate it was discovered that the pass- 
 ports were not in perfect order, consequent- 
 ly the Sisters were not allowed to enter. 
 
 Having found a resting-place for the oth- 
 ers. 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 re- 
 mained. The next day the cannonade was 
 terrific. 
 
134 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Extracts from Letters of Our Refugee 
 
 Sisters. 
 
 Following is an extract from a letter 
 which came to hand on March 15, 191 5, 
 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 sis- 
 ter 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 Mich- 
 elle. 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 
 
From Convent to Conflict 135 
 
 returned to our Convent in Wiliebroeck in 
 an automobile of the ambulance. There 
 was work in abundance. We had to cook 
 and bake for one hundred and twenty per- 
 sons. There were twenty priests with them. 
 Besides these, there was scarcely any one 
 left in Wiliebroeck. 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 Wilie- 
 broeck. Reverend Mother rode back with 
 us. Again, in the afternoon, there was noth- 
 ing 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 
 
136 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 callar, returned to 
 her charge in Aertselaar. We four re- 
 mained in the Convent. The doctors as- 
 sured 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 la- 
 dies of the Red Cross who had so faithfully 
 
From Convent to Conflict 13 
 
 ^ 
 
 assisted in the care of the wounded, were 
 with us. We went from Boom to Hemi- 
 schen, over a rudely constructed bridge. 
 From this place we jolted and pitched all 
 night long. One of our number, utterly ex- 
 hausted, slept soundly, and for the time be- 
 ing 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 re- 
 mained 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 ^'Ho- 
 tel 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 I3th,when we were hastily 
 called up. "Toe Zusters' gauw op ! Ze zijn 
 hier,alle maal bijna weg." (Sisters, do hurry 
 upl Nearly all are away from here.) We 
 
138 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 suc- 
 ceeded 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 suf- 
 ficient 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 
 
From Convent to Conflict 139 
 
 four berths, two above and two below. 
 Those best exercised in gymnastics could 
 climb into the upper beds. A few mo- 
 ments 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 sol- 
 diers 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 un- 
 til 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: 
 
140 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 ''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 ter- 
 rible night on account of the thundering, 
 deafening explosions of cannon, while bul- 
 lets, 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 Capel- 
 len 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 
 
From Convent to Conflict 141 
 
 again. At half-past four we were in Calmp- 
 thout. 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 ofif and walked forth to Hooger- 
 heide, in Holland, where thirty of us will 
 remain in a convent. I had forgotten to say 
 that four of our Sisters took flight from An- 
 twerp 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." 
 
142 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 The Exodus to England. 
 
 All the Sisters who had arrived at An- 
 twerp met in conference several times dur- 
 ing 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 resi- 
 dence, had remained at times in rooms near 
 the Cathedral of Antwerp. His stately 
 countenance was calm and peaceful, not- 
 withstanding 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 under- 
 takings we had in view. 
 
 On Saturday, October lo, we met in con- 
 ference for the last time in the Jesuit rooms 
 
From Convent to Conflict 143 
 
 in Antwerp. Our Sisters had no idea of 
 leaving the city at that time. The last ad- 
 vice of our Reverend Director before leav- 
 ing 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 "An- 
 twerp in danger." In a short time the whole 
 city was panic-stricken. People carrying 
 large and small bundles were seen hurrying 
 
144 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 over- 
 loaded. Finally, on Monday, October 12, 
 1 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 Sis- 
 ters 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 de- 
 stroy; 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 foun- 
 tain, the weary, way-worn traveler. 
 
From Convent to Conflict 145 
 
 Could this parting be jfinal ? No ! a thou- 
 sand 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 lit- 
 tle 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 
 10 
 
146 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 fall in torrents and a heavy wind came up. 
 We huddled together under the few umbrel- 
 las and tried to have patience with our steam- 
 boat and the weather. Oneyoung 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 dis- 
 tance, 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 Flush- 
 ing, like so many stars reflected in the sea, 
 began to gleam in the distance. When we 
 
From Convent to Conflict 147 
 
 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 dis- 
 tance 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 unen- 
 durable noise continued all night long. One 
 old lady, who had suffered greatly in com- 
 ing 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 Folk- 
 
148 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 stone, England. Again we were disappoint- 
 ed. 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 occa- 
 sion 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 w^ind 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 along- 
 
From Convent to Conflict 149 
 
 side of the Mallboat. An officer came on 
 board to ask if there were soldiers among 
 the passengers. Having received a nega- 
 tive answer, greetings were exchanged and 
 the warship departed, greatly to the satis- 
 faction 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 gang- 
 way 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 examina- 
 tion. This occupied just an hour. Happy 
 to again set foot on ''terra firma," we has- 
 tened 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 com- 
 partment until after nine o'clock, as we ap- 
 proached the suburbs of London. 
 
150 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 dan- 
 ger 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 Bel- 
 gian money for English currency and gave 
 us cards to the Premier Hotel, Southampton 
 Row, Russel 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 Com- 
 mittee were obliged to accept what was as- 
 
From Convent to Conflict 151 
 
 signed them and remain where they were 
 sent until transferred by the Relief Com- 
 mittee. 
 
 When all of us met at table in the Premier 
 Hotel, it was quite difficult for the Belgians 
 to make themselves understood. Fortunate- 
 ly, 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 heart- 
 felt 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 un 
 Southampton Row, and returned to the ho- 
 tel for breakfast at half-past nine. In the 
 dining hall we met another party of Bel- 
 gians, among whom were Sister M. Aloise 
 and her family, Mr. and Miss Erix, of Wii- 
 lebroeck, and the Burgomaster of Meche- 
 len (Malines) and his wife. The Sisters, 
 not having seen each other in several weeks, 
 
152 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 had a long and pleasant visit. After dinner 
 we called on the American Relief Commit- 
 tee and obtained the loan of money neces- 
 sary for the trip to America. The Ameri- 
 can Government had made arrangements 
 with its committee to assist in this way 
 American citizens stranded in the belliger- 
 ent 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, 191 5. Interest on this 
 note was not exacted. 
 
 This action on the part of the American 
 Government, in assisting her stranded citi- 
 zens 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 Par- 
 liament, Westminster Abbey, and also the 
 beautiful new Westminster Cathedral, 
 
From Convent to Conflict 153 
 
 Which seems to resemble Westminster Ab- 
 bey 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 im- 
 possible to read the names on the buildings 
 across the way. 
 
 The streets and thoroughfares of London 
 were so crowded at times that it seemed im- 
 possible 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 
 
154 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 bar- 
 racks. 
 
 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 thosepoorvic- 
 tims 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 
 
From Convent to Conflict 155 
 
 the world where this charitable work is un- 
 dertaken. 
 
 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 ap- 
 pointed 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-sp,angled 
 Banner gladdened the heart of any Ameri- 
 can who happened to pass that way and stop 
 for a penny's purchase. Except on Sunday, 
 this immense building was said to be crowd- 
 ed every day in the week, and on Saturdays 
 it was hardly possible to pass through be- 
 cause 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, 
 
156 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 at- 
 tracted by an article in the morning paper 
 announcing the expected arrival of five hun- 
 dred Belgian refugees in the city. 
 
From Convent to Conflict i c? 
 
 :>/ 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 The Refugees in England. 
 
 As a good and loving mother would re- 
 ceive 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 refu- 
 gees who entered her seaports in search of 
 food and shelter. Great numbers went to 
 London and were received in the Alexan- 
 dria 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 
 
158 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 Eminence Card. Mercier. of the Archdio- 
 cese of Mechelen. In this palace they were 
 received and cared for temporarily. Later 
 they were distributed in groups to the differ- 
 ent towns and cities of the country in accord- 
 ance with the means of accommodation af- 
 forded by the respective places. 
 
 Belgian Relief Committees were estab- 
 lished in all the localities about to receive 
 refugees. These were made up of a num- 
 ber 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 pres- 
 ent at the arrival of the refugees and deliv- 
 ered 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 Bel- 
 gians 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. 
 
From Convent to Conflict 159 
 
 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 — ,amem- 
 ber of the Bradford Committee, a few days 
 before our departure. The same remark 
 could well have been made by all the mem- 
 bers, who devoted their whole time and en- 
 ergies 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, be- 
 cause many of them had left their homes 
 with the same clothing which they wore at 
 their ordinary work, and had no other gar- 
 ments 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 
 
i6o From Convent to Conflict 
 
 large numbers from Alexandria Palace, 
 London. In less than three weeks over fif- 
 teen 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 sta- 
 tion to the City Hall, where they usually 
 lodged for a few days, were thronged with 
 curious spectators, long before the appoint- 
 ed 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 plat- 
 form. 
 
 The first party, over five hundred in num- 
 ber, which was received in Leeds, was ex- 
 pected one evening at five o'clock. Being 
 detained in London, they did not arrive un- 
 til about twelve o'clock, and yet that im- 
 
From Convent to Conflict i6i 
 
 mense multitude remained waiting on the 
 street. The danger and inconveniencewhich 
 await strangers, unaccustomed to the habits 
 and language of a foreign country was an- 
 ticipated, 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 con- 
 nected with this work wore the Belgian 
 colors. 
 
 Two Little Sisters of the Poor of Eng- 
 land and a Sister from Belgium, who acted 
 as interpreter, were requested to remain on 
 guard in the woman'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 Re- 
 lief Committee, and while the cheers and 
 
 u 
 
1 62 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 greetings of the assembled multitudes re- 
 sounded on all sides, they were taken in mo- 
 tor 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 pre- 
 serves, with plenty of coffee, and boiled 
 milk for the little children. How the refu- 
 gees 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 deliv- 
 ered by the Lord Mayor of the city, which 
 was translated into the Flemish language, 
 and responded to by one of the several Bel- 
 gian 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 
 
From Convent to Conflict 163 
 
 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, be- 
 ing the first Belgian born on English soil, 
 received the name of Albert George Alex- 
 ander, 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 gen- 
 tleman about eighty-five years old, who, 
 
164 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 at- 
 tended Mass in the nearest Catholic Church, 
 after which they returned for breakfast at 
 eight o'clock. The tables were well sup- 
 plied with bread, butter, coffee, fruit, pre- 
 serves and crackers, or small cookies. After 
 breakfast discourses were delivered to the as- 
 sembled Belgians, explaining the customs 
 and habits of the country in which they were 
 about to reside, and instructions and infor- 
 mation given. At the close of this address 
 the work of registration, which, in some 
 
From Convent to Conflict i6k 
 
 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 particu- 
 lars were carefully recorded, special care 
 being taken to keep all the members of fam- 
 ilies 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 sev- 
 eral members, of their families was missing. 
 In these cases the relief committees adver- 
 tised 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 
 
1 66 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 from the locomotive and ran away. Many 
 of the refugees rushed out of the compart- 
 ments and, panic-stricken, sought refuge 
 wherever a place of safety could be found. 
 Almost at the same moment one of the sol- 
 diers then on the train, who was himself an 
 engineer, sprang into the locomotive, and 
 the train started again on its way to Hol- 
 land. 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 regard- 
 ing their lost child. 
 
 While the refugees remain at those an- 
 cient homesteads, the proprietors have taken 
 upon themselves the responsibility of pro- 
 viding 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 some- 
 what trying for the wealthier class, who 
 
From Convent to Conflict 167 
 
 were in no way accustomed to ordinary la- 
 bor. In each locality some one was ap- 
 pointed to take the refugees to the nearest 
 Catholic church until they became familiar 
 with the streets and knew the way them- 
 selves. 
 
 Through the zeal and generosity of the 
 Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Brad- 
 ford, and prominent members of the Relief 
 Committee in Leeds and Keighley^ who not 
 only gave us the use of their motor cars sev- 
 eral times, but also, when not engaged, ac- 
 companied 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 cas- 
 tles and the lovely groves and grounds which 
 surround them. 
 
 We saw the remians 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: 
 
1 68 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 THE city of LEEDS. 
 
 "Pro Rege et Lege." 
 
 KIRKSTALL ABBEY. 
 
 This Abbey was founded by Henri de Laci, Baron of Ponte- 
 fract, in the year 1147. It was first estab- 
 lished at Barnoldswick, 
 
 in Craven, by the Cistercian Order of Monks. In the year 
 1153 the monks removed from Barnoldswick to Kirkstall, 
 and on the present site erected a temporary church. The 
 present church and claustral buildings were completed dur- 
 ing the life of the first abbot, who died in the year 1182. 
 
 This Abbey was surrendered to the Crown at the Dissolu- 
 tion 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 Cor- 
 poration 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 pray- 
 
From Convent to Conflict 169 
 
 ers; 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 frame- 
 less 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 orna- 
 mentation form a striking contrast to the 
 design, structure and decoration of the pres- 
 ent age. The lady proprietress of this hand- 
 some manor was to be seen with the white 
 cap and apron of a nurse, walking to and 
 
170 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 from her castle, in the service of the refu- 
 gees. 
 
 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 ref- 
 ugees were, for the most part, sad and de- 
 pressing, nevertheless a little incident oc- 
 curred 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 Oak- 
 wood, whose affairs had become compli- 
 cated. Two of us set out immediately and 
 arrived at the office of the Relief Commit- 
 tee 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, 
 
From Convent to Conflict 171 
 
 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 deter- 
 mination to make short work of the matter 
 and settle the difficulties with one good bang 
 of his big cane. He entered the portal, fol- 
 lowed by the ladies, and stood a moment be- 
 fore the beautiful plate-glass doors, through 
 which the light of the hall lamp was reflect- 
 ing 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, al- 
 though voices inside were distinctly audible. 
 
 Becoming quite impatient, Mr. D 
 
 lifted his cane andstruck the door one or two 
 resounding blows, which were calculated 
 to attract the attention of the indifferent peo- 
 ple 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 
 
172 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 down our doors ? One old lady approached 
 the door and asked: 'Who is there, and 
 what do you want? We're frightened al- 
 most to death. Is that the way to do, to 
 come and pound on the door in that man- 
 ner?" By this time Mr. D had suc- 
 ceeded in making himself heard, as he an- 
 swered 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 elab- 
 orate excuses to the ladies, who, seeing the 
 humble attitude of the supposed burglar, 
 ceased to call for the police and were dis- 
 posed 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. YouVe made a mistake. The 
 refugees are living in the castle yonder on 
 the next manor." 
 
From Convent to Conflict 173 
 
 Thanking these good ladies for the infor- 
 mation, and again begging pardon for in- 
 trusion, we left the portal with more humble 
 feelings than when we entered and proceed- 
 ed to the next castle. 
 
 The trouble here originated between two 
 parties of Belgians who, on account of lan- 
 guage (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 atmos- 
 phere seemed to penetrate every nook and 
 corner, and on the streets, at a few yards dis- 
 tance, objects were scarcely visible. Some 
 necessary preparations were made for the 
 long-anticipated voyage to America, and 
 then we patiently awaited the rapidly ap- 
 proaching steamer St. Paul, on her way to 
 Liverpool. 
 
174 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 lit- 
 tle 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 steam- 
 ers, 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 jour- 
 
From Convent to Conflict 175 
 
 neys 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, sound- 
 ing through the gangway, gave notice of de- 
 parture. For an hour or two we stood on 
 deck and gazed out upon the rapidly re- 
 treating 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 spar- 
 row 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. 
 
176 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 feel- 
 ings of fraternal charity which existed 
 among the English people, not only in re- 
 gard to the Belgians, whom they so gener- 
 ously received and housed, but also with re- 
 spect 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 na- 
 tionality. The Catholic priest and Prot- 
 
From Convent to Conflict 177 
 
 estant 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 per- 
 fect self-sacrifice, and deserved a greater re- 
 ward 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 genera- 
 tions the horrors of this awful conflict, may 
 they also give just praise to the All-wise Be- 
 ing who has caused the fragrant rose of 
 charity to bloom among the weeds of war. 
 12 
 
178 From Convent to Conflict 
 
 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 hun- 
 gry 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 dis- 
 mal 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 
 
 BD-66. f) 
 
From Convent to Conflict 179 
 
 reflected a most beautiful picture, ^'Sunset 
 on the Sea." 
 
 A day or two later we encountered on 
 board, a Belgian woman en route for Illi- 
 nois, 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 Massachu- 
 setts, by a Belgian gentleman who was on 
 board, and a lady of the '^Committee for the 
 Protection of Travelers." All needful in- 
 formation 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 mis- 
 sion among the Belgian refugees in Eng- 
 land. 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 ho- 
 rizon. 
 
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