The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-31
CROWDS AT MASS
IN BATTERY PARK
Archbishop Hayes Attends
Service for Men Killed
in War.
SCENE rs IMPRESSIVE ONE
Peace without Religion Coun-
terfeit, Says the Rev J.
G. Fleming.

A military field mass in memory of
the dead who lie in France was cele-
brated yesterday amid the green trees of
Battery Park. The footing Of ships
whistles mingled with the clear voicas of
the choir boys and the occasional roar
OF an airplane. In the background far
out in the river a great transport loaded
with returning troops aid silently and
slowly to her dock
1t was an impressive picture that drew
many thousand people TO stand in the
sun OF hot summer morning and listen
to the words expressing q faith that
sent men to battle to die bravely. I'm
der the vestments Of the priests couM be
gllmpsed bit Of drab uniform. for thew
had most of them served either here or
abroad. 1t was suggestive Of q grim
background for the quantity colored
robes OF the choir boys and the brilliant
vestments Of Archbishop Hayes. It was
the memory Of the dead who had died
In that uniform which they were recall
ing sacredly.
Archbishop Hayes and the clergy as
sembled in the rectory Of the Church of
Our Lady of the Rosary, in State street,
and then the procession moved slowly,
NhO'h cOys hIOnB tne eastern
side OF the park and through the main
walk to a stand In which an altar had
been erected. The celebrant of the mass
was Mgr. George J. waring. who was
vicar-general to Archbishop Hayes when
he was Chaplain Bishop OF the Catholics
In the army and who served as chaplain
on Governors Island. The sermon was
preached by the Rev. Joseph C. Fleming,
chaplain Of the Knights OF Columbus
Peace without religion is a counter
felt and artificial. said the Rev. Father
Fleming
III men attempt the mighty work Of
reconstruction in the light of human
reason only" he said, ''they may chanke
the worlds maps. lay out new avenues
of commerce and erect new political
sovereignties. but they will never change
mems hearts, and mems hearts may be
but 30 many storm centres without the
abiding presence of Jesus Christ to calm
the waves Of selfish passion.
Human ingenuity has Its limitations,
In Paris or anywhere else It can do no
more than piece together the shattered
fragments OF the plaything civilization
that the cruel war smashed. 1t was
not Christian civilization that went
to pieces; II was O man made substi-
tute which catered to human selfish
ness
Our purpose here to-day Is to rev.
erence the memory OF the boys in blue
and khaki who died as Americans, but
American children Of God. They are en-
shrined in our Catholic hearts, regard
less of creed or color. They are ours
to love, they are ours to remember. blu,
their love remembrances must have a
spiritual meaning. May God be good
to the boys who did not come back"
There was a military escort of six.
teen men from the Twenty-second In
fantry and q naval escort from the
Brooklyn navy yard. Major-Gx..
Thomas II. Barry and Admiral John D.
Mcdonald represented the army and
navy. At the elevation Of the chalic.
the drums OF the Twenty second rolled
and the guard of honor brought arms TO
salute. At the close of the mass Miss
Margaret Reyes. a descendant Of Francis
Scott Key. sang The Star Spangled
Banner
Among those who attended the mass
were Maurice CasenRve. French High
Commissioner Father Bordes d'Arrere,
chaplain OF the Blue i>svfls; Marcel
Knecht. Thomas r. Rush. Morgan J.
O'Brien. William d. Guthrie, Col Hugh
O'Donohue, Thomas r. Ryan. Nicholas
F. Brady. Alfred J. johnson and George
J. Gillespie. ana James A. McKenna,
father of Major James A. McKenna of
the Sixty ninth, who was killed at the
OurcQ.