The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-10-06
BELGIUM'S ROYALTY
AND WAR CARDINAL
WORSHIP TOGETHER
Boston Cathedral Scene of
Most Impressive Ceremony
in History of Catholic
Church in America.

BOSTON, Oct, Skiing Of the state
and prince OF the church, Albert Of the
Belgtans and Desideratus. Cardinal Mer-
cier, worshipped yesterday under the
dome OF Holy Cross cathedral. The
TWO most heroic figures OF the little
land which was the earliest prey of Ger
many met here for the first time upon
the soil OF the land which succored
them.
The towering figure in the khaki of
a lieutenant-g general and the venerable
prelAte in his crimson robes of office,
each typified courage which was I'M
conquerable. The scene within the ca
thedral was unique. II might have been
a reproduction Of a medieval painting
TWO cardinals sat upon their thrones
ana with them the king. his queen and
heir apparent as was their royal right
under the laws Of the church.
As the royal Belgians entered the
cathedral for solemn pontifical high
mass they were met at the communion
rail- by the primate OF their people. Car
dihal MERCER greeted them affectionate-
~ and then presented to them Cardinal
OConneil OF the archdiocese of Boston
VINO escorted the king and queen 10
glldcd chairs upon the left OF his throne
AZ the right or epistc side of the altar.
Behind them sat the duke of Brabant
Al the left or gospel side Of the altar
was second crimson throne upon which
sat Cardinal MERCER.
Greets Majesties.
Cardinal OConuell read brief and
formal greeting to the Belgians. Ad-
dressing their majestes he said.
we pray God to preserve you for
many long and happy years and 10
give you In future for the sorrows and
griefs so noby borne thousand conso-
la hNH IA, 49, 4
your beloved Belgium In which every
American desires to have share
said;
Your eminence, we see in the per-
son of Belgium's primate one who like
u true shepherd guards his flock at
whatever cost When the power of might
seemed near It's triumph yon fearlessly
stood for right and justice against mere
brute force"
The king stood with his hands elasped
In front of him, his shoulders squared,
truly martial figure, The slender
queen, gowned all in white reached
scarcely to his shoulder. but she bore
herself with simple dignity. The king
and queen knelt reverently as the SOL
emn mass began with all the ceremony
OF the Catholic church. They stood as
they touched the asperscrium and made
the sign OF the cross.
The king and queen followed the ser
vice devoutly After the blessing Of
the incense the monarchs were inCensed
with the two cardinals, as was their
royal right. IL was the first time such
a ceremony had been enacted upon this
continent, After the singing of the
sanctus and the conservation king,
queen, crown prince and cardinals
knelt before the altar.
After holy communion Cardinal Mer-
cier asoended the Pulpit TO thank the
people Of the United States in the name
of his monarchs as we'll as his own for
the help this land had given them in
their hours of dlrest need,
Thanks U. s. Nation.
81 now in your wonderful country"
he said, in his quantity. accented Eng
lish, have had many bright days for
which | thank God, but surely none
more glorious than this. Here. at this
solemn moment is our beloved queen
and the. man who Is the living spirit
happy In this united, patriotic brother
hood On both sides Of the Atlantic
VIC are the same. We pray for the
zane things and have the same altar
We realize the majesty, unity and
| catholicity OF our divine church.
when | go back to my people | shall
take with me the picture OF faith and
| Christian charity which you have given
me. America gave the world SPLEEN
did answer when YOU entered war. You
sought no territorial or political gains.
You came in TO help the world, | want
TO express to you In the name of our
| glorious king, In tho name Of our ma
| ton, In the name of the Catholic
church tribute of homage and CRATE
fulneSs pray for the recovery OF
the noble president OF the United
| States"
At the close of the mass. after pre-
lates and priests had filed out the king
queen and duke remained In the sanct-
uary until they were escorted to the
rear OF the cathedral where brief
and Informal reception was held.
King Albert again yesterday mani
| tested deep concern over the health Of
| President Wilson and was said to have
expressed satisfaction when told the
contents OF an Associated press ais
patch announcing that the president
had spent q comfortable night.