New-York tribune., 1919-10-06
Albert and Queen Greeted
by Mercier i'll Boston
Cathedral, Where Unique
Mass Stirs Congregation
Harvard Confers Degree
Ruler Walks in Rain and
Talks to Trainmen Be
fore Welcome by City

BOSTON, Oct. 5.-King of the state
and prince of the Church, Albert OF
ne Belgians and Desideratus Cardinal
Mercier, worshipped to-day under the
vaulted dome of Holy Cross Cathedral.
The two most heroic figures Of the
little nation which was the earliest
prey of Germany met here for the first
time upon the soil of the land which
succored them.
The towering figure in the khaki of q
lieutenant general and the venerable
prelate in his crimson robes of Office
each in his own way typified a courage
which was unconQuerablc The one IN
spired his armies IN the field 10 deeds
OF valor while the other kept the faith
which lighted the fires Of hone in the
hearts of tortured people.
The scene within the cathedral was
unique in the annals Of the Western
world. It might have been repro
duction of a medieval painting. Two
Cardinals sat upon their thrones and
with them the King. his Queen and Heir
Apparent, as WAS their royal right
under the laws of the Church.
Greeted by Cardinal Mercier
AS the royal Belgians entered the
cathedral to worship at q solemn pom
tificAl high mass, they were met at
the communion rail by the Primate Of
their people Cardinal MERCER greeted
them atfectlonately and then presented
to them Cardinal O'ConneN, of the
archdiocese Of Boston. who escorted
the King and Queen Elizabeth to gilded
chairs upon the LETT OF his throne a:
The right. or opistIe, side Of the altar.
20 nd ", )ll-a Of I(.al !, .r1.
to the left, or gospel. side OF the altar
was a second crimson throne, upon
which sat Cardinal Mercior
Cardinal O'Conncll read brief and
formal greeting to the Belgians Ad-
dressing their maiesties. he said:
eve pray God to preserve you for
many long and happy years and to give
YOU in future. for the sorrows and
griefs so noblv borne, thousand con
-olations by the complete restoration
OF your beloved Belgium. in which
every American desires TO have Il
share
True Shepherd of His Flock
Turning then to Cardinal Mercier he
Your eminence. We see in the per
son OF Bclgium's primate one who> like
a .rue shepherd, guards his flotk at
whatever cost. When the power of
might seemed near It's triumph you
fearlessly stood for right and justice
against mere brute force
The King stood with his hands
claspcd in front Of him, his shoulders
squared. a truly martial figure. The
slender Queen. gowneG all in white.
reached scarcely to MS shoulders. but
she bore herself with simple dignity.
The King and Queen knelt rcverently
as the solemn mass began with all the
ceremony of the Catholic Church
They stood az they touched the as
persorium and made the sign of the
cross From the stained glass windows
the figures Of martyrs to the faith
looked down upon them.
In the hush which filed the great
church il almost seemed that they
We're within one Of the shell-torn
cathcdrals OF their own Belgium, Civ
ing thanks that their confidence in
honor and justice had brought its re-
ward. They raised their eyes now and
then to gaze into the calm but cane
worn face OF their own Cardinal. who
sat on the opposite side Of the
sanctuary.
Ceremony Unique Here
he King and Queen followed the
service devoutly. from the blessing
OF The gospels by Cardinal O'Conncl
10 the recessioNal. After the blessing