The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-18
VICTORY SERVICES
IN CITY CHURCHES
All Denominations Join in
Holding Thanksgiving
Celebrations.
SERMON BY NIHU ROOT
Possible Peace Commissioner
Speaks at Cathedral Of st.
John ne Divine.

Elihu Root. widely mentioned as one
of the possible members of the Ameri-
can Peace Commission. occupied the
pulpit yesterday at the Victory eelebra-
ton in the Cathedral OF St. John the
Divine This was but one of the many
notable Incidents of services In New
York churches in which thanks were
given for the victory Of the allied roops
and stern Justice upon the Germans was
demanded.
All OF the Catholic institutions In the
city held high mass. The French, Syr-
Ian and Italian churches lent color to
a series OF services. impressive and i'm
portant in church and military history
The Rev. William T. Manning d. D.,
led one notable service at Old Trinity
while Rabbi Schulman delivered a strong
sermon at the Temple BETHEL, in which
he voiced the plant that It was against
the Jew alone that the pogrom was
being waged In the hour OF general
peace and rejoicing,
The leading clergymen OF all faiths
turned their services into thanksgiving
celebrations. and all tempered their re-
marks with pleas for peace negotiations
that might prevent any recurrence Of
the world disaster.
Mr. Root said that the United States
could meet and salve all of the problems
that have arisen from the war That a
difficult task faced the entire civilized
world. he admitted. but he was sure
Americans would meet IL ouraeously
and wisely.
Sure America VIII Lead.
The public has no conception" he
| said, of the difficulty OF the task, but
am convinced America will meet 1t
'
Speaking of the forthcoming peace
conference to which political rumor has
assined him a high place. Mr.. Root said
NO man can frame the timetable OF
| the Almighty"
| 1T Is tremendous event" he con
tinued, that has just occurred 1t IS
the greatest event OF modern history
II was struggle for human freedom
and from II we learned the lesson OF
sacrifice. From 1t will follow conse-
quences that We cannot begin to UNI
derstand. II ushers in the dawn OF A
new day-a new era The dark night
OF storm is over. We see the land
marks TO guide the future course. The
noblest men have laid down their lives
Modern civilization has not failed. II
was in question for time
"One half OF the potential military
forces OF the world were aligned agains
the forces OF freedom and liberty
He said that Germany sought to pu
into effect the theories OF the Roman
Empire through her military caste, AND
that she had for years been pretending
an alliance with Christian civilization
making treaties that were false wheI
she did not believe in liberty and faiti
among nations.
Proves Moral Force Supreme.
Suddenly" he said. "she hurled he
forces upon the unprepafed nations o
the world Their base contention wa
that might makes right God himsel
was on our side. Thanks to the ;fInrd
Christian civilization triumphs. The oil
barbarian principle was laid in the dust
The result OF the war IL the proof o
the supremacy OF moral force whc
controlled and moved physical force
Even Bismarck knew this in his un
scrupulous judgment William, IN
Kaiser. absorbed In his vague dream o
military glory overlooked II. He an
his kind have learned the law Of mora
force now.
Germany could not understand tina
Belgium would defend her honor whe
her neutrality was violated. German
could not understand that when tn
rights Of Belgium were attacked Eng
land would protect her. nor could sh
understand that England's colonies wer
not held by military force German