The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-08-06
MILITARY MASS FOR
MARYLAND SOLDIERS
Rev. Father j. Clinton AIlard, OF
Washington, breaches Sermon on
Duties to Country.
URGES ALL TO AID IN WAR
First Ceremony OF the Kind in Rich
mond for Many Years Attended by
Large Congregation-Mgr. O'Farreii
Is the CclebTant.

a
field military mass to be ceieorateo
in Richmond In many years was SUNG
yesterday morning at 1880 O'CLOCK on
the campus of the Benedictlne MILL
tary college. For nearly two hours
the large number of people stood IN
the blasting sun while the mass, such
as Ii said for soldiers at camps and
on battlefields was celebrated. II was
arranged by the Knights OF Coiumo us
particularly for the troops OF the
Maryland regiment. who have been on
guard duty in and around Richmond,
stations shortly.
Tho Rtsht Rev. Mgr. ]. r. O'Far-
rsil. pastor Of the Cathedral of the
Sacred Heart, was the celebrant of
SAe mass the sermon being delivered
BIZ the Rev. J. Clinton Allard. of the
conversation of ST. Paul. washington
The Rev. FathN- Walter. of Benedic-
tine college. had charge OF the music.
tho choir being made up Of members
OF tho choir OF st. Benedict's chapel
and Of the Knights OF Columbus The
mass was conducted strictly according
to military custom. Among tho priests
attending were the Rev. II. J. Nc
Keefry, Of St. Patrtck's church. the
Rev. F. Hannigan. OF St Joseph.s
church. and representatives from 81
Peters church and the cathedral
Father Allard spoke with eloquence
and force From a pulpit specially
erected. and draped in American flags,
he delivered a war message TO the
people and expressed appreciation TO
tho soldiers for the part they are pre-
pared TO take in upholding Americas
ideals for liberty and Justice. He
urged the people to cooperate in this
war with the government. to throw
of their lethargy and as individuals
rally to the cause for which the coun-
try went TO war, in order that the
blood OF its soldiers will not he shed
In vain. He said In part:
feel honored in speaking 10 the
soldiers OF the Fifth Maryland In
fantry, as the whole city OF Rich
mond has felt honored In having YOU
with US for the past few weeks. On
all sides I have heard expressions
OF Communication. There has been
nothing but the highest praise OF
you. praise OF both your military ef-
flciency and your moral uprtghtness;
and. gentlemen. 1t gives me great Joy
to think that the vast majority OF
the personnel OF our army will be
made up OF upright Christian gentle
men such as you s-e and have proved
yourselves among US And. as you
gre now, in the generosity OF your
heart and In the greatness OF your
patriotism. already in your country's
a~rple We are to. follow. and especially
these young men who viii have to
tom YOU and make UP the quota OF
the aru,y's strength.
YOU have made sacrifces-creat
tcriflc%s--to be where you are to-
day. Your people have made sacri-
fees sacrifices that God alone, per-
hans, can appreciate, These are sad
dnvs: they are terrible days for us
To to
being drafted. there is sorrow IN
many mothers heart. in the heart
OF many wife and many sister
I'm the heart OF brethren, relatives
aud friends, But ] saw &c them that
d n Isl Necessary for ti7esiF TO stlssasn
this sorrow. to contribute those whom
tho country calls to aid you IN your
strength. tina, the ideals for which
we night may be realized and that
your blood may not be shed in vain.
Now. gentlemen. as you have been
trained In the highest principles OF
morality. each heart deeply imbued
with great ideals, We know that. II
II becomes your lot. you will carry
these ideals across the water. and
you Will show in your own lives the
greatness OF this nation and It's peo-
pie. 80 we say to you; Garry forth
your ideals. your grand Christian
manhood. Thougf, It is your lot to
have to night with arms. there will
be. perhaps. greater victories gained
by your aid and your example. in
the realization and the UNFOLDING OF
the ideals you represent"
You will. perhaps. after while
be called upon to leave your native
shores and 20 across the waters to
battle for the principles and for the
causes that have been enunciated as
he he
It 10 no boys game: 1t Is a mans
battle for each and every one OF
you. We would not be doing you n
Kindness 10 try TO hide the facts
You are going across to make sacri-
hces. You WIFI have to bleed. ard
many OF you, perhaps. to die, alorE
with your fellow-countrymen in
arms.
But II these possibilities-proea-
bilfties. even-stare you in the face,
II wa are sending many of our men
in arms. we are sending too, those
who are skilled in the science OF
medicine and surgery. to take care
OF you IN the fills and terrors that
may befal1 you; we are sending vast
armies OF Red Cross nurses to
smooth your pillows and assuage
your pains in the hour OF suffering.
We are. too. assuring you that You
win md there. along with the Red
Cross nurses and every other agency
Of mercy the good sisters, who In
this war. rs in every other war. have
been on the battlefield to nurse the
Fck and TO help the oppressed. to
attend the patient in the last hours
OF dfstress.
We know. too. that this war will
not be won simply by the men who
bear the nations arms. The glory
will be yours Once over. and the
things for which you fought have
been realized. then. too. the glory
will be yours. and we will think OF
your valor and OF the heroism YOU
have displayed and Of the sacrifices
you have made. and thev will be so
great. so outstanding. that perhaps
when peace does come, we win
think Of these things along. But. my
dear men--and I speak to you as to
the whole army--this war will not
be won bv the hshting forces alone:
II must be won ny this nation. each
and every individual contributing his
and her mite to the glory and to the
success Of tho cause.