BAPTISED ON EMDEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 705, 3 July 1929, Page 7

BAPTISED ON EMDEN

UNIQUE CHRISTENING CEREMONY TWO AUCKLAND CHILDREN A blue-eyed little girl of three or four years, staring in wide-eyed wonder at Naval Chaplain Ronneberger, and a pretty five-months old baby, who gurgled contentedly throughout the proceedings, were the principal characters at a simple but charming little cere mony yesterday afternoon. They were christened on the German cruiser Emden. children’s mother, a German woman married to a New Zealander, was naturally pleased at the opportunity provided by the warship’s visit of having the ceremony performed by a clergyman of her own country. Naval Chaplain Ronneberger was only too pleased to oblige. It is a duty he has performed in many ports on the present tour. Captain von Arnauld assisted by placing his wardroom at the chaplain’s disposal, and willing hands quickly helped the ship’s popular padre to convert it into a little chapel. The captain’s table, covered by a German flag and a white cloth, served as an altar, and on it were placed two massive brass candlesticks and a finely wrought crucifix. There were also present a number of relatives and friends, two finelybuilt sailors, picturesque in full uniform, completing the group. Outside the door were stationed members of the ship’s band, who softly played a hymn as the chaplain commenced the service, which was in the Protestant form. “The Lord is the sun and shield of our 1 lives,” said the chaplain, addressing the parents in German. Since the war, persons had become very much of the opinion that the Lord was as vital to the welfare of their souls as the sun was to their bodies. He exhorted them to never lose their faith, and to bring up their children in its light. To the Germans living in New Zealand, his advice to them was to live up to the traditions of the country. £ Following prayers, also said in German, the chaplain made the sign of the Cross on the forehead of each child. The elder girl stood rather in awe of the proceedings, but the baby girl, with the laughing eyes, merely waved a plump, little fist, and smiled contentedly. Another hymn was played, and the ceremony concluded with the pronouncing of a benediction. As a memento of the occasion, the chaplain handed to the mother two naval hat ribbons bearing the name of the cruiser. In years to come they will be treasured memories of a very happy little ceremony.