St. Matern was the first Bishop of Cologne, and was much beloved. He died young, and the mourning people sent to Rome to pray St. Peter for comfort.
St. Peter gave a staff to the emissaries, and bid them beat upon the earth where Matern’s bones were laid; at the same time they were to call on him to rise, as it was not yet time for him to rest, but he must still combat for the sake of God.
This was done; and Matern, who had been dead forty days, arose, and administered three bishoprics at once; viz. Tongern, Trèves, and Cologne.
THE FIRST FOUNDLING HOSPITAL.
The first institution of this nature is said to have been in Trèves, and was thus established: Saint Goar was a very pious man, harming none, but the wicked calumniated him to the Bishop of Trèves.
The Bishop ordered him to appear before him, and, to test his power, asked him to declare who was the father of a child that had been exposed near the Cathedral.
The Saint bending prayed, and touched the child’s lips; whereon the child spoke, and the uttered word was “Rusticus,” which was the Bishop’s name.
The Bishop grew pale, the calumniators slunk away, and St. Goar, turning to the Bishop, said, “Perceivest thou not thy duty? As the Church embraces with tender arms erring children, so must thou, the head of thy Church, foster such poor children, and bring them up in the fear of God.”
