The Washington herald., 1914-10-05
joins
PLEA FOR PEACE
Mr.. Wilson, at Church, Offers
Prayers with Others that
War Cease. an
CROWDS AT MT. ST. ALBAN
Overflow Neeessitates Three Services
While 5000 Worshipers Bow Heads
Before Peace Cross.

Prayers Of religious Washington ascend
ed from early morning to late evening
yesterday, petitiduing peace in Europs
The Presidents procsanstien. BY which
yesterday was set aside as a day OF
prayer for speedy and final peace. awoke
slumbsring faith in the efficacy Of prayer
in the minds Of thousands and crowded
churches in all parts of the District
There were prayers for the countries
engaged in war; for the men in the field;
for the women and children fighting star
walton at home; for the sick and wound
ed on battle6elds and in hospitals. and
for the nurses and surgeons "of the
Red Cross who are administering to
the suffering.
An Unusual Coincidence.
By an unusual coincidence. on the day
Of prayer named by the President there
fell also the feasts Of st. Francis Assist.
the apostle Of peace, and the feast OF the
Holy Rosary Of the Blessed Virgin
Mary-both feasts Of peace and brother
hood.
President Wilson attended services at
Central Presbyterian Church. and Joined
with the congregation in saying a prayer
for peace. With the President were Miss
Bones and FftzwiIliam Woodrow.
Rev. James R. Taylor. pastor of the
church, in his sermon, said that the
disaster abroad does not prove the failure
of Christianity, and that faith In the
providence of God remains unchanged,
though the nations are at war. Supplica-
tions that come from the truly peaceful.
and not from hearts that are full Of an
tagonisn, will have effect, he said, in
speaking Of the efficacy Of prayer.
Impressive ceremonies we're held at
Mount st. spulchre by the Franciscans
at the Brookland monastery, in com
memoration Of the feast Of St. Francis.
Funds for Red Gross.
'offeratories in many churches were
given unreservedly to the American Red
Cross. that the victims of the war may
at least be spared unnecessary suffering.
Thousands. of dollars were given to in
crease the ebbing funds Of the Red Cross.
Despite lowering skies and occasional
showers more than soOo-among them,
Ambassador spring-Rice. Of Great Bri-
tain-attended the eervices at the peace
cross at Mount St Alban in the aft
ernoon-
So huge was the gathering on the site
Of the new cathedral of. S. Peter and
Paul that it was necessary to hold three
servicss-one at the peace cross. one in
St Adams Church. and spother in the
Bethlehem chapel of the cathedral.
Rev. 1r. MeKim breaches.
The worshippers at the peace cross
were so NUMEROUS that the voice Of Rev
DR.. Randolph h MeKim. Of the Church
Of the. Epiphany who preached the SER
mon, could not be heard by those on the
edges Of the grounds.
. The main service was held at the peace
cross-ftself a reminder to Christians to
pray for peace and brothWhood among
man. Rev. DR.. McKim was in charge.
Assisting him were Rev. Dr. Arthur S.
Johns, Rev. DR.. W. J. d. rhomas, and
Rev. W. L Myer.
Undaunted by the rain. several thou
sands stood facing the cross and prayed.
silently. while they listened 10 the short,
fervid prayers Of the Episcopal Church,
The wisdom Of statesmanship,' said
Rev. DR.. McKim in his sermon, ''is to
no purpose None can bring help.
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