EXACTING CEREMONYt

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12606, 17 November 1926, Page 3

EXACTING CEREMONY t

THE ORDER OF ST. JOHN GERMAN PRINCE ASKED TO RESIGN Created Knight 19 years ago Indicated by the news cabled from Berlin and published in the “New Zealand Times” on Monday morning, the Knights of St, John of Jerusalem in Germany have requested Prince Eitel Friedrich to resign the Mastership of, the Bailiwick of Brandenberg, owing to perplexing Divorce Court entanglements. The prince was created a Knight' of Justice of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem 19 years ago, and his installation as head of St. John in the prosperous mining Prussian province of .Brandenberg was one of., the most brilliant functions ever held in Europe. KAISER PERFORMS CEREMONY 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 notable persons in the hall of the Knights at the Royal Palace on March 18th, 1907. England was officially represented by His Serene Highness, Prince Francis of Teck and Kir 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 His Majesty with scions from sovereign houses, proceeded via the Queeii’s Chamber through the Weisse Saal, where a company of the Palace Guards were drawn up as a guard of honour to the chapel. The Empress walked with Princess Victoria Louise, and among the many exalted personages in the procession were the Workmeister with the Gospel, the Chancellor with the Seal, deputations wearing the uniform of the Order of St. John, Field-marshal Betlimann Hollweg, Count von Wartenste-ber-Carow, Sir Frank Lascelles, Noble Heralds, and many other dignatories of the Empire.. Emperor Wilhelm wore a black hat ijrith floating white plumes, and round his shoulders the long black marttle and ermine collar with the edges held held up by pages. AN IMPOSING CEREMONY The ceremony began by the Dome Choir singing the “Halleluia -Lob Prais 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 Stadliolder and Chancellor of the Order before His Majesty the Emperor, who asked him “What is your Royal Highness’s desifreP” The prince replied: “I desire to be received and accepted as a Kniglit of the Order of St. Jojin of the Hospital of Jerusalem.” The Emperor answered, “The acception and reception of your Royal Highness is accorded if you will 'observe the statutes of our brotherhood and conduct yourself as befits an honour loving Kniglit and Brother.” ~ After the Chancellor of. the Ordei had read aloud the Knight's vow, the prince shook hands with the Kniser and the sponsors. The prince then knelt , down before His Majesty on the right knee and the Emperor, to whom tho Stadholder of the Order (General Count von War-tensteber-Cprow) had handed the naked sword, struck the prince with it on the'shoulder with the words: “Be a Kniglit and Just.” The investiture of the Mantle, Star, and Badge followed, and His Majesty resumed his seat on tho throne while' the guests sang “Wach aitg du Geist der orsten Zeugen,” accompanied by trumpets. Afterwards the Emperor extended the naked sword of St. John to the prince, who laid his right hand on it while the Chancellor rend tho oath and the Emperor then asked: Will vou swear this? and the prince replied, “I swear it.” Then the prince invoked the Emperor’s protection and grace and his Majesty handed him-the sworcl of Si. John with the words: “Your Royal Highness may rely on my protection and grace. Use this sword ill defence of the true Christian religion and the maintenance of the knightly Order of ■St. John for the advancement of good and the suppression of evil.”