Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-06
MILITARY FIELD MASS
ATTRACTS THOUSANDS
Services in Honor OF Fifth Maryland
infantry Held at Benedic-
tine College.
SERMON BY FATHER ALLARD
Sounds Clarion Call to Arms and
Thrills Hearers With Spirit Of Pa
triotism - Knights OF Columbus
Entertain Soldiers on Duty Here.

Several thousand people attended the
celebration Of the military field mass
yesterday morning on the campus Of
the Benedictinc College. The services
We're arranged in honor of the troops
or the Fifth Maryland Infantry. who
have been on guard duty in this city
for several months, and who will
shortly leave for their training camp
preparatory to service In the war zone.
The details of the event were worked
out by the Knights of Columbus Of
this city.
An altar was erected on the north
west corner Of the campus with two
large American flags as the back
ground. Around and over the altar
were placed palms and pottcd plants
and cut flowers Of many varieties. And
over these q canopy OF canvas was
raised to protect from the rays of the
sun tho clergymen. choir. acolytes and
others participating in the services.
Rt. Rev. Monsignor James T. OFFER
rcll. rector Of the Cathedral o. tho
Sacred Heart, was cclebrant OF the
mass. Assisting him were Fathers
Mark, Mckeefry. Brosnan, Hannigan,
and Benedict. and the Benedictine choir.
augmented by members Of the knights
Of Columbus, under the direction of
Rev. Father Walter. Of Benedictine
College, sang. Solos were sung by
Columbus A. Cancpa. w. Casper Deadly
and John F. keenan,.
FATHER ALLARD THRILLS
HEARERS TO PATRIOTISM
The first incident of the exercises
was the military Church call" by the
buglers of the Fifth Maryland Infantry,
and. after the conservation of the mass.
the nag was raised to tho top OF the
college flag pole. While 1t was being
raised the buSlers sounded the salute
of The Nag" and the choir sang The
Star-Spanglcd Banner"
The sermon was preached by Rev.
j. Clinton Allard. c. S. p. Of Wash
ington. Father Allard is an excellent
speaker. He has a wonderful voice.
which carried his words 10 the further
most line OF the large attendance. His
theme was a clarion call to arms.
thrilling his hearers to patriotism
and loyal support of the country.
Father Allard spoke in part as follows
You have made sacritices-great
sacrifces-to be where you are to-day.
Your people have made sacrifices. sac
riices that God alone, perhaps. can
appreciate. These are sad days: they
are terrible days for US all; and now.
as this great army is being drafted.
there is sorrow in many a mothers
heart. in the heart of many a wife
and many sister, in the heart of
brethren, relatives and friends. But
] say TO them that il is necessary for
them TO sustain this sorrow. TO con-
tribute those whom the country calls
to aid you IN your strength, that the
allied and that your blood may not be
shed in vain.
URGES CHRISTIAN MEN
TO CARRY FORTH IDEALS
Now. gentlemen. as you have been
trained in the highest principles OF
morality. each heart deeply imbucd
with great ideals. we know that, IL
it becomes your lot. you will carry
these ideals across the water. and You
viii show In your own lives the great
moss OF this nation and it's people. So
we say TO you: Garry forth your
ideals. your grand Christian manhood.
Though it is your lot to have to fight
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
las you will. perhaps. after a while
be called upon to leave your native
shores and 60 across the waters to
hattie for the principles and for the
causes that have been enunciated as
the reasons for our entering the war.
then. dear friends. you go across with
the prayers of your church. with the
prayers of your people: YOU 60 across
WIN vie "nDienehTten support OF eNeFy
man and woman OF this nation. except,
perhaps. negligible minority.
Ihen. as you 60 across. we know.
too. It Is no boys game; It is a mans
battle for each and every one of YOU
We would not be doing you kindness
TO try to hide the facts. You are GO
ing across to make sacrifices. You
VIII have to bleed. and many Of Won,
perhaps. to die. along with your Eel.
ow-countrymen in arms
NO TIME FOR LETHARGY,
WORDS WILL. NOT no
But X these possibilities-probabi
itles, eHen-stere you in the face n we
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 tho
Ills and terrors that may befall von.
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