HISTORIC ABBEY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16321, 3 January 1924, Page 4

HISTORIC ABBEY.

r , / .ECHOES TO TRAMP OF NEW ; "CRUSADERS. BUGLES.' BLARE AMID; r niE DIM l- /AISLES OF WESTMINSTER, --’•i'jjO’NDON, Nov. 29.—Bugles of a new gjtid strange sort of English semi-secret society woke the echoes of Westminster » Abbey when ‘The Most Nobl-a, Order of Crnsaders,’-’ a • semi-secret society found- ■ ed in the cause of patriotism and r-eligion, paid -homage to the “highest knight,” - Britain’s unknown warrior' of the World \> Avar., i - , '\JJnder the shadowy arches of the hist topic Abbey on Wednesday was enacted , fantastic- scene of mediaeval ritual and jmgaantry, a.bewildering picture of purplejr. gold sifiid scarlet robes, flashing swords and Cabalistic symbols. Yet it was-real, a movement of the twentieth century, a banding together of .men in-high position with many of . the lower .classes, meeting in the presence of the Duke of York, pledging themselves as sternly as did the ancient . crusaders of .Coeur de Lion. WORKMEN AMONG AUDIENCE. A-f Ku -Ivlurc Klan without fireworks, a khui tbit, did not favor force, was the .description of the movement given . by .alCwsader official. ‘ "Certainly thy movement, which lias beed-,.gaining-, strength steadily since it w«ls> fojiuded two-.years ago, has, taught the. popular imagination. "Tile’dim Abbey-was crowded with a congregation.- of- inen and women, peers ahd business men, workmen’s wives and daughters, '< The, Mayor of Westminster and'both, men and women Labor leaders attended. light pejietrating through, dusty windows- fell'upon a stirring, whispering.' throngji some < ip; white robes, others 'ip b\ack„ Many of the-,Crusaders wore hars. T and of. the world war. • ' Abbey .attendants glided along the . aisles/, fighting candles. , C'ccasionally, Jar above, a bell tolled a few slow notes. ’ Suddenly there was a blare of t.rum- i pcts>silence,, and then the band of the Guards swung into a crashing „ nifircli. Tile ceremony had begun. ' f Tlte' Duke of, York arrived ami was escorted to a seat near the altar. Then. ’ from the west of 'the Abbey, a colon ill ■ procession moved lor ward. Red-robed choir-boys"'led the way, followed b.v the Dean of Westminster and high otficers : of the'd'ltsadcrs. Some-were clad in purpleii'obes,’)otlievs.in robes ol go.d oi

ttcarlet.u Beltind them came a nmcelfearer, , followed by various grades ol {lie .-“companions,”- the “freemen, the -.“yeomen,” and “esguiresr” RE Ad SYMBOLS C'i< ORDER. Some of the ..knights walked with folded , arms,; others bore keen, straight sWoi’ds before* them, the steel glittering ■■jh'.thp caudle, light, borne held cushions upon' their outstretched arms. Laurel wreaths vases,- spurs, chevron?, banners, Sups and' Bibles and various symbols of the order pested,on the cushions. i ‘.’ •The singing- rose ’to : a mighty chorus. • (Jverhead a,'great bell tolled. ai-The.') procession'' halted at the altar, * where ! .prayers were read. Again .the bugles' rang: out th» note of reveille. The ..-procession' turned, moving to the tomb S the Unknown Warrior where a . was laid on the slab above the ' Duke- -of.-York ..remained, for the , service aMta. tomb, .where he was an interested spectator. ..Those who stood , about, the r grave. ranged Rom youths to aeed men,.. All t were.robed alike. *. '“ S T7onclaves” . of. .the order are now establwfied throughout the country. ‘lihere hre no, restrictions on membership ‘Svondthe one that all members must be*British born:’ Workmen, professional V fieri ■'and members of the nobility serve ’• Sdabv'hidO in '-'the Crusaders’ ranks. i ht-tfnch of the organisation hits been- established. .