The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1897-08-14

rulers of Jerusalem! an indignation
which, at the Council of Clermont,
burst forth into unanimous and
mighty God wills it," Thousands en-
rolled themselves as soldiers of the cross
and placed themselves among the ranks
Of the crusaders. Among them was
Godfrey, now restored to health and
ready to fulfill his vow.
Godfrey's fame still endured; and his
valor, virtue and ability made him a
natural leader Of men. Under his stan
dard warriors in thousand gatherel SO
that when finally he set out for the Holy
Land, no less than $4,000 infantry and
10000 horsemen acknowledged Godfrey
as their commander. Other great chief
tains with their hosts accompanied
him-"all his rivals in ambition, but
none of them his peer" The story Of
the First Crusade is an oft-told tale, and
it is unnecessary to tell ii again. Suf-
ficient is it to say that If this crusade
finally resulted in the capture of Jcrll-
er belonged the honor of that great
achievement. 1t was his wisdom and
his influence over his soldiers that made
their journey through Hungary possible.
up with quick action, that made the
Greek emperor, Alexis. release Hugh
count Of Vermandois, whom he held
prisoner. The army OF the Crusaders
tions and speaking different languages.
Over these thousands were counts and
dukes each brave and powerful, but am
bilious for honors and Jealous of his
fellow-leaders. To keep harmony and
discipline in such heterogeneous mass
was as great difficulty as to overcome
the Saracen. Indeed, perfect discipline
was an impossibility. However. God
frey's prudence and wisdom accomplish
ed much in this line; and oftentimes
when an open rupture seemed imminent
it was his forbearnce, his pleading, or
his master-stroke of policy that restored
order and established peace once again.
Excelling in physical prowess, he per-
formed prodigies of va19r and strength.
with one blow" we are told, che cleav-
ed a gigantic opponent from neck to
groin, nor was the force of the blow
spent until it had cut through the sad
die and backbone of the miscreant' s
horse" In the final assault with which
Jerusalem was carried, our hero was
among the very first to leap upon The
wall; and it was he WIN after the earn
age was ended led the victorious
crusaders to the Church of the Holy
Sepulchre where they passed the night
in tears, prayers and services Bare
headed and barefooted, clad in a robe
Of pure white linen, in an ccstacy Of JOY
and thankfulness, mingled with pro-
found contrition, Godfrey entered the
church and knelt at the tomb of his
Lord. His vow was fulfilled, his pill
grimage completed. However, Europe
and his native Lorraine were to see him
no more.
A king for the new Christian Kingdom
of Jerusalem had to be chosen. Who
could be found more worthy who more
fitted than he against whom the gravest
accusation was that when he went into
a church he could not be got out, even
after the celebration Of the service
Hailed as king by his followers, Godfrey
put away the crown. No title of king
would he have, no earthly diadem wear
Who was he that he should have on a
crown of gold in the city where Christ
had worn only a crown of thorns! DE
fender and baron of the Holy Sepulchre"
he would gladly be, but never king. He
would watch over his Masters
grave and the interests of His wor-
shippers; and in dress and demeanol
he always appeared the servant. Pos
terity, however, has ever given him the
name OF king, and his mothers predic-
tion was verified
The first king of Christian Jerusalem,
he was besides the true Christian, whose
life was pure, motives lisintcrested,
whose end and aim WAS the glory of
God. He breathed his last in Jerusalem,
dying when still in the prime of life
His body was laid to rest in that sacred
place for which he had so bravely
fought--the Church of the Holy Sep
| uchre.