A KNIGHT OF ST. JOHN IN TROUBLE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 45, 17 November 1926, Page 3

A KNIGHT OF ST. JOHN IN TROUBLE

BI! ILLI ANT INSTALLATION RECALLED. Concerning the cabled report from Berlin regarding the divorce of the exKaiser’s son, Prince Eitel Friedrich, and the request by the authorities that he should resign the mastership of the Bailiwick of Brandenberg held by him for the past 19 years as a knight of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, a contributor points out that his installation in the office was one of the most brilliant ceremonies ever held in Europe. The ceremony was performed by the Kaiser in the presence of the Kaiserin. princes and princesses of different Royal houses, ambassadors, and a large gathering of other notabilities in the Hal] of the Knights at the German Royal Palace on March 18. 1907. England was officially represented by Prince Francis of Teck, and Sir Herbert Jekyll, Knights of Justice - of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in the British Realm. Heralded by a blare of trumpets, a procession was formed, and, led by the first Marshal of the Order of St. John, followed by many exalted personages, the Workmeister with the gospel, the Chancellor with the seal, Field-Marshal Bethmann Hollweg, deputations wearing the uniform of the Order of St. John. Count von Wartensteber-Carow. Sir Frank Las’celles, noble heralds, and other dignataries. Emperor Wilhelm wore a black hat with floating white plumes, and round his shoulders the long black mantle and ermine collar with the edges held up by pages. The ceremony began by the Dome choir singing the "Halleluja Lob Praia und Ehr,” and after the introductory liturgy the reception of Prince Eitel Friedrich as a Knight of St. John followed. The Prince advanced led by the Stadholder and Chancellor of the Order before the Emperor, who asked him, "Whnt is Your Royal Highness’s desire?’’ The Prince replied: "I desire to be received and accepted as a Knight of the Order of St John of the Hospital of, Jerusalem." The Emperor answered: "The accention and reception of Your Royal Highness is accorded if you will observe the statutes of our. brotherhood and conduct yourself as befits an honourloving knight and brother.” After the Chancellor of the Order had read aloud the - knight’s vow; the Prince shook hands with the Kaiser and .the sponsors. The Prince then knelt down before His Majesty on the right knee, and the Emperor (to whom the Stadholder of the Order had handed the naked sword of St. John), struck, the prince with it on the shoulder with the word-. "Be n knight and .just.” The investiture of the mantle, star, and badge followed, and His Maiesty resumed his seat on the throne while the guests sang "Wach nuf du Geist des orsten Zeugen’’ accompanied by trumpets. Afterwards the Emperor extended the naked sword of St. John to the prince, who laid his right hand unon it -while the Chancellor read the oath, and the Fmnoror then asked. “Will von swear this?” and the prince replied "t swear it ” Thon the prince invoked His Majesty’s protection and grace, and the Emperor handed him the sword of St. John with the words. "Your Royal Highness may rely on my protection and grace. Uso this sword for the protection of the true Christian religion and the maintenance of the Knightlv Order of St. John for the ad.vancement of good and (he suppression of evil.” .