Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-04-21
BRITONS THANK GOD
FOR AMERICAS AID
King, Queen, Cabinet Ministers
and Army Officers at serv-
ice at St. Paul's.
HISTORIC TEXT is USED

London, April 20.-America's part
ncrship in the world war was cele
brated by a religious service toda,
in St. Paurs cathedral. The STAR
and Stripes foated from the highes
tower of the parliament buildings a
Westminster-the, first time foreign
flag was ever displayed on that emf
nence-and few above all govern
ment buildings.
The service in the historic cathe.
dral, where the most momentous oc.
casions OF national rejoicing and
mourning have been solemnized. was
unprecedented in being the common.
Grafton OF an act OF anothe.' nation.
Overhead in the dim arches hung
the dust weighted and battle torn
flags OF famous British regiments
some of which had been carried in
the American war of the revolution
while among the tombs and memoir
ials OF famous soldiers ranged about
the walls were the names Of those
who fought against the colonies in
that war.
King aud Queen Attend.
The cathedral seats nearly 1900
persons and was filled to its further
most recesses. All seats were occu-
pied when King George and Queen
Mary entered, followed by the may
ors and aldermen of the twenty-six
boroughs OF London, wearing their
scarlet robes OF Office.
The American embassy and consul
lar stats occupied front seats with
representatives of the Pilgrims. the
American society, the American
Luncheon club and the American
Chamber OF Commerce. In the
diplomatic section were officers in the
uniforms of France, Russia. Italy, Bel
GUM, Serbia, Montenegro. Roumania
and Japan.
Throughout the cathedral the army
khaki and the navy blue were con-
spicuous. In the reserved seats there
were large number of wounded Of
hcers and soldiers, including many
Canadians and several Americans
serving with the Dominion forces.
Chancellor of the. Excheauer Bonar
Law represented the cabinet in the
absence OF Premier Lloyd George.
Sermon From Historic Text.
The service which followed con-
sisted OF the Lords prayer, Psalms
XVI and cxliv, lessons from Isaih Xxi,
the Apostles Greed, prayer, the
Battle Hymn OF the Republic" a SER
mon by Bishop Brent, the hymn,
Through the Night Of Doubt and
Sorrow" benedicton by the arch
bishop of Canterbury, the singing OF
"The Star Spangled Banner and
God Save the King"
The clergy OF St. Paul's conducted
tic service, assisted by the archbish-
- Of Canterbury and the bishop Of
loEdon. The text from which Bishop
Brent spoke was chosen from Macca-
bees, second chapter, thirteenth verse,
Having gone apart from the elders,
he resolved that they should go forth
and Try the matter in fight, by the
help of God. And committing the
decision TO the Lord Of the world and
exhorting them that were with him
to contend manfully, even unto death,
for the laws, the temple, the city, the
country and the commonwealth, he
pitched his camp, having given out to
his men the watchword, Victory is
Gods"
Twenty-Five U. 5. Veterans.
One of the most picturesque OF the
numerous professions to St. Paul's
was a group of twenty-five veterans
of the American civil war, who
marched from their humble head.
quarters near London bridge carry
ing American flags and banner in
scribed, American Civil War Veter-
ans; not for ourselves, but for our
country"
Three OF the prayers offered at the
ST. Pauls service were specially pre-
pared for the occasion. The first one
was:
"Thou, Q God. hast put into the
hearts Of the president and people Of
America to join the allied nations in
a great war in defense Of liberty, hui
mainly and justice. We pray Thee
to grant victory to our forces
The second prayer was:
1--WE pray Thee to guide the presi-
dent and those to whom Thou hast
committed the government Of the
United States. Grant them special
wisdom and understanding that they
may fulfill Thy divine purposes"
And the third:
1--WE thank Thee for the abundant
blessing Thou hast bestowed on the
people of the United States. We
pray they may labor always to ad-
vance Thy kingdom on earth, that
peace, happiness, truth and justice
may everywhere flourish and
abound"
Other members OF the royal family
present in the cathedral included
Queen Alexandra, the princess royal
Princess Maud Of Fife, the duke OIL
Connaught, Princess Patricia, Prin.
cess Christian and Princess Victoria
Of Schleswig-Holstein.
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