ORDER OF ST. JOHN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 107, 22 May 1937, Page 5

ORDER OF ST. JOHN

Founded in Jerusalem in 1099 The Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem was founded in Jerusalem in 1099 by the Blessed Gerard as an Order of Hospitaliers under the Augustinian rule. His suecessor, inspired by the example of the Templaxs, converted dt into a military order. On the loss of Jerusalem it migrated to Acre and from there to Rhodes and Malta, whqre it formed one of the most important bulwarks against the naval power of the Mosleius in the Mediterranean. Since the loss of Malta in 1798 the order, which is international, has devoted itself to works of charity and humandty. The objects and purposes of the order are, among other fhings, the maintenanee of the St. John Ophthalmie Hospital at Jerusalem, and the St. John Ambulance Association and Brigade at Home and overseas, and the London Iflght and Electrical Clinic for poor people. The order is conferred for services in the cause of humandty throughout the Empire, and is open to both men and women. There are five classes: Bailiffs and Dames Grand Cross; Knights and Dames of Justice and of Grace; Commanders of both sexes; officers of both sexes; Serving Brothers and Sisters. Mrs T. H. Lowry, of Okawa, has been invested as a Dame of Graco of the Order.