National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-10-13
BLESSING BANNERS.
INTERESTING RELIGIOUS SERVICES.

the Banners Of the Kniahts OF
IT. Georsr-Imposins rroesssicn-IIis-
tory Of tho Order-ser,ncn by Father
Knnzicitsr, Of ~. Joscph's.
Notwithstanding the doub,fnl appearance Of
the weather early yesterday morning the sew
eral Catholic beneficial and benevolent societies
assembled, pursuant to the published pro-
gramme, at the city Hail shortly after O'Clock,
where the line Of procession to st. Josephs
church, on Capitol Hill, was formed.
The occasion was that Of the
BLESSING or THR BANNERS
OF the Knights Of st. George, beneficial order
OF German Catholics, mostly identified ~ rest
dence with the section uf our city lying adJacent |
TO the Capitol building. The organization Is .,
yet but one year old, aud has ncmbefsnP OF
one hundred OF our most respected and lndus-
in accordance with invitations extended by
the knights OF ~. George the following name
orders were promptly on ha ma abr me ~ accom-
panied by Donch's and section o. the MARIN |
band; Knights Of 81, Patrick, knignts ou ,s ~,
of al CoiumbkIll. Hbsrnlan Benevolent Asso-
citation No. /, Hlbernian Benevolent Asao'Iatioh
No. 2, and ST. B1nltaees society ,,,,.,,, ,-.s
The procession TeWe 10 the chnrch Nhh |
headed by the knights OF ~. Patrick, tnt
knights Of Sc George taxing me rear; .; IA
nell, j. K6ert. J. T. McknAlley, J. d. wlseman,
Michael Fitzgerald, John Nislen aud john
Kaiser, assistant mafshals, all elegantly mounted,
wore eon-colored SILK scarf, aud used laven.
der saddle cloth, trimmed with blue. The assis-
tants wore blue. silk sashes and used white
saddle cloths.
RouTk OF PROCESSION.
From City Hall, by way OF u street, to Seventh,
along seventh TO q, up q to Twelfth, down /
Twelfth to Pennsylyania avenue, along Penn
sylvania avenue TO Second street west, along
Second 10 T. up Z to secsad street east, thence
to st. Joseph's church, where hundreds oil per
sons were massed on the sidewalks along The
route awaiting the procession.
Arriving at tue church, the entire column opened
ranks aud presented their gllttering dress
abreast, marched through and entered The edi,
nee amid the stirring music, enhanced by the
ringing OF the several bells OF st. Josephs
followed their comrades In, admired by the
dense mass OF spectators, VINO had chosen this
eligible spot TO view the parade.
the church, the line, . quarter OF mile In
length, with the elegant banners, varied aud
ricn waving plumes and nashy regalias OF the
several societies, with their golden and silver
sde-swords and equipments flashing In the light
of the morning sun, formed q scene Of beauty
and brilliance worthy OF especial note.
AT rHH CHURCH.
The societies were all seated within the
church, the 1t. George knights occupying chairs
In front Of the benches before any one else was
permitted to enter.
handsomely Illuminated with burning candles,
and decorated with scores OF boquets OF fall
flowers and decked with garlands OF evergreens
and roses. The effect Of these was enhanced by
the rich and Imposing costumes OF the officiating
clergy and the numerous apostolic boys who at
tended them during the services.
The accustomed opening ceremonies OF the
church having been performed, Father Kanziei-
ter, pastor Of st. Josephs church, entered the
pulpit, while full volume OF music poured forth
from the organ, the choir chanting an accompa-
niment.
DISCOURSE OF FATHER KAszLxIrER.
After asking the indulgence OF the portion Of
the audience ignorant OF the German language
the reverend gentleman spoke about thirty min
utes In fervid and attractive manner IN his
native tongue, and then, prefacing his remarks
with the explanation that he had not preached
In English for ten years, said: The presence OF
the many banners and nags here, representing
different societies and the nationality under
ners a re emSlems Of honor and Tesp , and
have been made so by usage from time imme-
mortal. Even God "set up banner" to gather
all people into one nation. To insult q nations
banner the type OF Its nationality, Is a trespass
against right and justice which invariably brings
the demand for satisfaction from an insulted
people. Such insults are deemed the deepest
and worst which can possibly be offered.
Prominent In the history OF the world there
have been two banners different and antago-
nistic In the causes and principles they represent.
The one Ia the banner OF our Lord and saviour
Jesus Christ, whose mighty cheftain was the
ger. The W war in which Il has been used as an
ensign has been continued and fierce, but the
command OF Its chieftain to be followed has been
81 am always with you-be not afraid" The
followers OF Christ have assurance Of nnal vic
tory and recompense. lie was obedent to his
Father, and demands OF US implicit obedience
and willing perseverance. Even as q child he
was 0bedlent to his parents as youth and man
he went about doing good giving sight TO the
blind, speech to the dunno s0undness to the sick,
and life to the dead. Our Chief received cruel
nxion for his fidelity and yet without his bodily
presence we are required to follow his banner
and hold up his standard, now as ever, but he
vii, ever give to US, as he did to Simon Peter,
grace to succeed.
But another great chieftain could be seen In
years gone by at the city OF BABYLON. Mighty
BABYLON, larger and greater than the cities OF
modern years, amid smoke and great fire and
noise, sought TO establish an altar for his wor-
ship throughout the whole world Summoning
all men to listen to his command, he babe them
20 to every oity, town, and hamlet, TO every
tribe and family In the wide world, and tempt
the people by every consideration OF honor, SEN
suallty, riches, and what not, TO war against
God and against immortal souls. lie babe them
teach mankind that religion is phantom, q
humbug; that called by various names, 1t Is all
the same-a grand deception. Who was this
great commander-in-chief7 Not Saint Michael,
but he who was cast out of heaven for his pride,
even Lucfer.
And SO to-day the world Is divided into two
great companies, under the command OF each OF
these rival chleftains; the one teaching his
followers to believe 10 one God, one Christ, and
one Holy Catholic Church; the other proclaim.
ing these as nonsense and encouraging the de-
holy priests. The whole world Is thus divided
into good and evil the oily and righteous. What
then Is our duty Is u not to battle for thls
the prosecutions OF other days, has arisen, phds'
nix-like from the ashes, and Is nOurishing IN this
WAN pe sue W. nns,,tnioo ~ ,nn
United States Is kept invlolate, hut should this
he torn and disrnptured, we may look for perse-
cution and trouble.
Let US, then, stand united as man, not as Ger
mans, lrishmen, or Americans, but as brethren,
describing nationality and party distinctions; be
united heart and soul In everything and on all
questions, whether OF
SCHOOLS OR CHURCHES.
Think and act as good Catholics. Let US imi-
tate 1t. George, who was one OF the greatest OF
soldiers OF Jesus Christ, as well as n warrior OF
the world, who, the higher he rose In rank and
position, sought to do the more for the glory OF
After paying tribute of gratitude to our Eng
lish forefathers for sending true Catholics TO
preach Christ In Germany, aud referring with
pride TO the fruits Of these labors, the speaker
babe the society 10 rise and receive his blessing
and convey It to their children and wives at
home. This being done,a
HIGH MASS
was celebrated, In all Its imposing solemnlty, by
Fathers Peek and Bague, the choir chanting the
"re Deum."
Father Kanzlelter entered and advanced TO the
altar rail-, and at given signal John Nesllne,
George Mlnkey and John 0nensteln approached
the altar bearing the banners OF the Knights OF
81. George, three In number. The largest ban
nef was most elegant anu flcn, ABOUT nvc ny
eight feet, borderel with heavy gold band anu
fringe. On one side II was d light maroon color,
decorated with handsome painting, 10 circular
form, In the centre, between which and the bor-
der was an elaborate work. In form OF vines,
wrought in gold. Above the centre-piece It bore
In German text the title OF the order, and below
the following
.iorganlzed June TO- lsI2"
On the other side the banner was OF straw
color, aud bore the following Inscription In gilt
letters and English characters:
presented by the Ladies'
"To the Knights Of st, George,
"June 2, 1873.
Washington, ID. c."
The banner was mounted on u handsome stan,
surmOunted with golden spear, over which was
a cross. IL IL the work OF August Hengemuele,
an artist Of Baltimore.
The two remaining banners were In the form
of Ruidons, OF the same cOlOrs and material as
the larger banner, and bearing the initials Of the
Knights OF st. George.
BLESSING THE BANNER.
Father KauZleiter, attended by Fathers Peck
and Bogue and a full corps OF acOlytes, pro-
yided with lighted candles and burning censefs,
proceeded TO read the ceremonies In German,
which consumed about ten minutes, after which
the Knights of 81. George proceeded down the
alsies OF the church TO the street, and were fol-
lowed by the other societies, thus ending the
interesting ceremonies.
The line Of march was taken down Second