Bishop Benzler used to be a great favorite of the German
Emperor, but recently the bishop fell into one of those quarrels
about burial-grounds that in Germany, as well as in England
and Wales, seem to have a great power of making people forget
Christian charity. The bishop, because a Protestant had been
buried in this ground, went to the extreme step of declaring
that the ground had been desecrated, and decided to curse it.
The Emperor was furious when he heard of this, and when the
bishop was imprudent enough to demand an audience, he let
loose upon the head of the unfortunate ecclesiastic a flood
of eloquent wrath which submerged him. Here is the principal
passage:
“Your Reverence,” said the Emperor, “has asked for an audience,
and I have granted it because I, also, have a few words to
say to you. Before leaving Alsace-Lorraine I must tell your
Reverence that your attitude has greatly displeased me. You were
represented to me as a mild and peaceable man; your actions
prove the contrary. You have done worse things than the worst
fanatic. You have curst a cemetery situated on German soil, the
German soil over which I rule. Do not forget, your Reverence,
that I, as German Emperor, will never tolerate that even one
inch of German soil should be curst--no, not one inch! It is a
bishop’s duty to bless, and the moment you begin to curse you
cease to be fit for your high position.” (Text.)
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