Evening star., 1936-12-06
. CERTAIN former pupils Of st.

Adams ScnOOl IOT boys anu
to the Rev. James Henderson.
4 it, senior master and chaplain
Gnce 1918. the present controversy
Involving King Edward VIII brings
back personal memories Of the time
when, as Prince Of Wales. he was the
schools guest and secured for 1t cer-
tain privileges that have always been
within royalty's realm to invoke for
the pupils Of Merry England"
Fifteen years afterward, as we sat
in the lounge Of this famous Cathedral
school for boys, the schools beloved
Mr.. Henderson made very real for me
that visit Of Britain's then heir
us the school life of today surged as
masters and pupils went about the
schools concerns.
In the oval of the circular drive
way BY which one approaches the
school We looked out upon the Glas-
tonbury thorn tree. nourishing shoot
Of that ancient one at the Glastonbury
Cathedral in old England. Its parent.
according to cherished legend, sprang
from the staff of Joseph Of Arithmea.
missionary bishop to England, at the
time when he struck the ground with
It In ensecrating the site Of the
Glastonbury Cathedral to Gods pur-
poses.
He" Mr.. Henderson reminded me.
was that distinguished Hebrew man
Of affairs OF whom 1t was said that.
while he was in sympathy with the
teachings OF Christ. forbore to ac-
knowledge them publicly until after
His death upon the cross. Thereupon,
he begged His body from Pontius
PLATE, buried 1t in his own tomb and
Ehenceforth dedicated his life to advo-
eating the gospel Of the Master.
Blooms for Royalty.
About the Glastonbury Cathedral
thorn tree and its shoot children there
also clings the story" said Mr.. Hen
derson, that whenever English roy
atty ID about to pay . visit in its
midst 1t blooms again, no matter what
|, the season. For the accuracy Of this
tradition cannot affirm, but I do
know that in all of my years OF asso-
citation with this school that its usual
Springtime blooming has never in any
. way compared with the cluster OF
lovely white blossoms which appeared
upon our Glastonbury thorn tree that
November Of 1919. 1t almost seemed
As II they had just exactly timed
themselves for the exact date. the
18th. BY way Of proving our offspring
q slip from the old tree itself.
5. "1 recollect, too" he continued now
en the day set for the princes visit
ve ali gathered about our thorn tree
With awe and watched Mrs. Churcn'
the beloved wife Of OUR headmaster,
whose life. with his, was dedicated 10
the schools service. Very carefully
she detached the gorgeous cluster,
then, almost tenderly, transferred IL
into q suitable silver vase, her own
most cherished one, donated 70 tne
cause In honor Of the occasion, ana
handed it to Dean Bratenhan. Later
hi. was the privilege of presenting IT
tn OUR DISTINGUISHED guest His Royal
Hirhness. Albert. Prince Of Wales, now
King of. England.
Scrubbed and Hair Brushed.
scrubbed and hair brushed to the
nth decree Of care and dressed up Ia
our Sunday clothes" Mr.. Henderson
continued. "the masters and boys from
et. Albans lined up parallel to the
group from the Girls Catneorai
school. both lines facing the Peace
Cross, Then appeared Bishop HARDING
leading the way for the prince and ms
stan.
"Of course, we had all naturally
h>en curious about him, but the mo-
ment we saw him, so young looking
Hust 4 little bit shy himself, and 30
Altogether likable, as well as intent
upon doing his part as q gracious
r,Iest in America. as well as mis-
s;orer Of good will from his country
to ours. we fell for him hard, clergy
masters and pupils alike. Indeed, II
vas about all We could do to contain
curselyes until after he had made his
really GOOD little greeting to us ana
accepted the Glastonbury thorn Tree
blossoms from Dean Bratenhall. Then
=, burst forth with a cheer that
sehoed all the way to Wisconsin ave-
me. It seems to me that can almost
hear the echo OF 1t even now. England
f,,ta,re King smiled in . warm, pleased
nav. too. remember, Is II he weren't
having such Q bad time himself.
Then came another great moment
One Of our boys was ]. Douglass
Crsnnis. jr., relative OF Bishop
Hardine's who had run away to Can
.ha and enlisted with . regiment
there before we got into the Worio
war. In Scotland, where he was
.ent for training, he was transferred
n the Black Watch. and in this IA
NOUS company had been one OF those
tnsnected and reviewed by the Prince
somehow word Of this must have
reached one Of the Princes aides and
heen relayed by him to the Prince
for the next thing We knew Grannii
v,s being singled out by an aide and
escorted up to the Prince. How prouo
and how envious every one OF us wa
1t the same moment as We witnessed
thu warm handclasp and pat on the
hack which Grannis received from
Eneiands King to be. For days after
vard every one was asking Grannh
hsw II felt to be shaking hands WITT
khe Prince who was one day to b
the ruler Of the British Empire.
Given Royal Holiday.
Next there was . truly royal sun
or,se. Evoking an ancient custom u
the effect that whenever royalty visit
- school, 1t may ask for holiday 10
It's students, the Prince asked tina
this prerogative be allowed to prevail
for us.
well that was just the finishing
touch to make St. Adams School &
all British for that day and . loni
time afterward."
Mr.. Henderson Is the only one o
the masters now teaching at st. Al
bans who WAS in residence there q
the time Of the present Kings visit
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