The Washington herald., 1913-11-28
WILSON AT MASS
At ST. PATRICK
Cabinet Members and Other
officials Attend Pan-Amer-
ican Service.
PLEA MADE FOR PEACE
Bishop Currier Describes Horrors Of
War to the Fifteen Hundred
Worshipers Present.
PLEA MADE FOR PEACE

/ "SssA4H~es
With President Wilson, members Of his
Cabinet, diplomats from every Central
and South American republic, and eccle-
siastical dignitaries among the 1.5oo wor-
shipers present, the sixth annual Pan
American mass was solemnized at st.
Patrick's Church yesterday with that
grandeur and impressive dignity which
for centuries has characterized the func-
tions of the Catholic Church.
Enhancing the splendor OF the sanctu-
ary scene-the brilliantly lighted and
Ifower-banked altar-was the scarlet
throne of Cardinal Gibbons, who entered
the church a few minutes after the Pres
Ident. The cardinal was preceded by
score Of altar boys in scarlet and white
vestments. who escorted him to the elab-
crate cathedral. When the cardinal had
taken his place on the throne the cele-
bration of the mass began.
Choir of $50 Voices.
| To this inspiring setting. resplendent
to the minutest detail-the robes OF the
clergy. the altar decorations OF MOWERS
and gold and silver candelabra and chal-
ices, the brilliant gowns Of the women
worshipers and the gorgeous uniforms of
many of the foreign military and naval
attaches-was added the impressiveness
of the wonderful music, which Numbered
against the walls Of the edifice from l5o
trained voices.
Appropriately. the beginning OF this re-
markable service started with the play
ing Of the Star Spangled Banner"
Every patriotic emotion in the breasts
OF the worshipers who thronged the
church and stood In hundreds on the
outside swelled with the playing Of the
national air. It was at II o'clock that
President Wilson entered the church. He
was escorted by Mgr. William T.
Russell. rector OF st. Petrick's. who was
accompanied by Secretary Tumulty and
Dr. Cary Grayson. By the time the
President arrived most OF the other spe-
cial guests were on the scene, and the
church was crowded to its doors. The
Chief Executive was shown to the front
Dow on the left-hand side of the CHURCH.
As inspiring as the setting and music
was the sermon on Peace and War.
delivered by Bishop Charles Warren Cur
rier, of Matanzas, Cuba. The prelate's
theme was an appropriate one, the OBJ
feet OF the Pan-American mass being
chiefly to offer thanks to the Maker for
the peace and prosperity of the world,
and particularly the western hemisphere.
Waste Due to War.
In a voice noticeable for its clarity
and strength Bishop Currier graphically
portrayed the waste humanity suffers
as the result OF war. Pointing to the
image OF the Saviour hung upon the
Cross the speaker dramatically ex-
claimed, There is our remedy; love thy
neighbor as thyself.''
The keynote OF our annual Pan
American celebration of Thanksgiving is
peace. one Of the greatest blessings God
Bishop Currier.
"Civilization is constructive; war Is de-
strIctive. Civilization is the condition OF
persons living in an organized community
with the object Of mutual assistance In
the acquisition of the good, the true, and
the beautiful War is the natural enemy
of order, and therefore OF that which Is
good, beautiful, and true.
Good, whether 1t regards mans ma
terial or his moral welfare, is immensely
retarded by war that destroys the sources
culture. War, further, subverts the
moral order, by opening wide the door to
all manner of vices.
'Tt impedes the pursuit Of knowledge
by taking away from nations that tran
quillity of mind so necessary for this OBJ
ject, and by the ruthless destruction of
the instruments OF knowledge. such as
educational institutions and libraries. II
is the enemy of the beautiful. II there
is any beauty in war. it is accidental,
hollow, and fictitious, for in reality war
in itself is the deadly enemy Of the fine
arts, by its wanton destruction of the
costlIest monuments. II there is beauty
in war it is the transcendental beauty
that exists in the greatest of evils, even
in death, a beauty that rises above a
surface beneath which lie horrors mex
pressible.
Homes Made Desolatc.
ITO form an acquaintance with those
horrors, pass beyond the glitter of the
moment. the martial music, the brilliant
uniforms, the flying banners Contem-
plate the, sickening sight of the battle
field. with its carnage, its blood, Its grim
death, its misery upon which only yul-
lures feed. Think OF the homes made
desolate, of hearts that are bleeding, of
wounds that will never be healed. Tell
me. after this, can you still love war?
Shall we not rather say to hte brave men
and women who strive to impede Il:
Continue on the path you have chosen;
the blessing of heaven will attend your
efforts, and the Christ of the Andes shall
be no empty symbol.
Following the celebration Of the mass. a
luncheon of prominent guests, which the
President was unable to attend, was
given in the rectory Of the church. Toasts
were drunk to the President, Secretary
Of State Bryan, Ambassador Dominica da
CANA of Brazil, as the ranking Latin
American diplomat, and others.
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