The Orange
Institution is made up of the three brotherhoods
known as 'the Orange', 'the Purple'
and 'the Black'. Each brotherhood is distinctive - but in practice
it is usual to go up through the system in that order. So while every Orangeman is
not necessarily in 'the Purple' or 'the Black', every man in the Purple and Black will be
an Orangeman.
The Royal Black Institution has eleven ritualistic degrees culminating in the
Red Cross degree whereupon the candidate is given a black
Masonic-like apron with square &
compass.
The Royal Arch Purple has one degree known as the Royal Arch Purple
degree which is almost completely
Masonic in its character.
The Orange Order was founded by
Freemasons in memory of William of Orange who was a
Freemason. It has two non ritual degrees. The 'Orange' and the
'Plain Purple'
So for instance this is the collection of
sashes belonging to one man who has gone right through the Orange system from the Orange
Order (left) through the Royal Arch Purple (centre) to the very top of the Royal Black
Institution (right)
These sashes are held in high regard. Probably the most
popular Orange marching song has this chorus ..
'Sure me father wore it in his youth,
in
bygone days of yore,
and its on the twelfth I love to wear,
the sash my father wore'
The Orange Order - even though it has influence in many parts of the world - is
in reality a
Northern Ireland phenomenon. Part of the phenomenon is that there is a belief deeply
rooted within it that it is an instrument in God's hands for the preservation of His
Kingdom. An instrument in God's Hands to keep 'popery' at bay and to maintain
religious liberty. The advertised qualities of an
Orangeman make very impressive reading..
"An Orangeman should have a
sincere love and veneration for his Heavenly Father; a
humble and steadfast faith in Jesus Christ, the
Saviour of mankind, believing in Him as the only
Mediator between God and man He should cultivate truth
and justice, brotherly kindness and charity, devotion
and piety, concord and unity, and obedience to the
laws; his deportment should be gentle and
compassionate, kind and courteous; he should seek the
society of the virtuous, and avoid that of the evil,
he should honour and diligently study the Holy
Scriptures, and make them the rule of his faith and
practice; he should love, uphold, and defend the Protestant
religion, and sincerely desire and
endeavour to propagate its doctrines and precepts; he
should strenuously oppose the fatal errors and
doctrines of the Church of Rome, and scrupulously
avoid countenancing (by his presence or otherwise) any
act or ceremony of Popish worship; he should, by all
lawful means, resist the ascendancy of that Church,
its encroachments, and the extension of its power,
ever abstaining from all uncharitable words, actions,
or sentiments, towards his Roman Catholic brethren; he
should remember to keep holy the Sabbath day, and
attend the public worship of God, and diligently train
up his offspring, and all under his control, in the
fear of God, and in the Protestant faith; he should
never take the name of God in vain, but abstain from
all cursing and profane language, and use every
opportunity of discouraging these, and all other
sinful practices, in others; his conduct should be
guided by wisdom and prudence, and marked by honesty,
temperance, and sobriety; the glory of God and the
welfare of man, the honour of his Sovereign, and the
good of his country, should be the motive of his
actions"
- A Celebration;1690- 1990 The Orange
Institution
The Orange Order has two simple degrees - the 'Orange' and the 'Plain Purple'.
The Orange Degree was originally based on the Passover and Exodus but was simplified in 1800 and is now a simple catechism and address.
The Plain Purple Degree originally told of the giving of the law to Moses on Mount Sinai, and the setting up of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. The colour Purple refers to the Blue and Scarlet curtains around the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle. This ritual was simplified in 1820 and now consists of a simple session of questions and answers. The emblems are King William of Orange, the Crown and The Bible.
The Orange Order had always wielded enormous
political power in Northern Ireland.
To have had any valid chance of success in
Northern Ireland, Unionist politicians - such as former
leader of the Unionist Party and former First Minister of the Northern Ireland Assembly, David Trimble (above)
needed to be seen to be members of the Orange
Institution Until recent years it was mandatory. After many generations that political power and influence has been broken.
The cry of 'For God and Ulster'
was a common one, and rarely challenged. Over generations
it became so much a part of the Ulster Protestant theology, that it was unthinkable to believe that
God could be anything other than pleased with, and
completely behind, all the workings, attitudes and
behaviour of the order.Indeed any challenge to the Order's
enormous grip on the country was
immediately viewed as religious persecution and produced a strong religious / martyr
backlash.
Men who would not publicly defend the church would
publicly defend the order with a most aggressive zeal.
The Orange Order and the Kingdom of God are
seen as one and the same thing. Hence the Kingdom rhetoric
used on banners and in speeches.
"You are the salt of the
earth, the light of the world"
- Sir Basil Brooke, Ulster
Hall, 1947
"Apathy may be a luxury in which some
races can indulge, but you are a chosen people, a Royal Priesthood, a dedicated nation and
a people claimed by God Himself"
- James Molyneaux, Scarva 1981 (Orange Standard August
1981, page 8
space
space
Indeed
the vocabulary used in the Orange Order's Institution
clearly sets this tone..
Q. What art thou?
A. One of the elect.
Q. Of what house?
A. The house of Israel.
Q. Of what tribe?
A. The tribe of Levi.
(Indeed the Israeli flag can sometimes
be seen flying in loyalist areas alongside the Ulster
flag)
The
clear implication is that it was founded for deeply
spiritual reasons. For God's purposes..
"Our purpose is the advancement of pure
biblical Christianity as opposed to the superstitions of Rome"
- page 8 The Orange Order - an evangelical
perspective
However, that is NOT why the Orange Order came into being. That
is why the Protestant reformation and the Protestant
churches that emerged from the reformation came into
being.
The
truth is much less spiritual and much more soulish as the Orange Order admits on
pages 6,7 of the The Orange Order - an evangelical
perspective. (underline mine)
The Orange Order was founded in Ireland in
1795. Its background was the conflict between Roman Catholics and
Protestants which exists
sadly to this day. In the year 1641 for instance there was a terrible massacre in Ireland
in which it is estimated that up to 100,000 Protestants were brutally murdered by their
Catholic neighbours...It was partly the fear of acts like this recurring which led
Protestants in the 1690's to look to the Prince of Orange, later Willam 3rd for protection.
After a disturbance in Benburb on 24th June 1794 in which
Protestant homes were
attacked, the Freemasons organisation was appealed to. The Masons refused, whereupon James
Wilson, indignant at their lack of help left them and prophesied
that 'he would light a
star ..which would eclipse them forever'. After the battle of the Diamond (near Loughgall) on 21st
September 1795 the Protestants avowed to defend
themselves. Thus a new organisation was
formed into which James Wilson brought his Orange Boys, for which he was awarded the first
Orange warrant LOL 1.
As its own history shows above, the Orange
Order grew purely out of the (understandable) need for
English and Scottish planters and their descendants who were
Protestant in heritage to organise themselves
solidly into a strong defensive organisation to help
withstand the
continual attacks from the Irish nationals who were Roman
Catholic in heritage.
These continual attacks from the Irish
was fuelled by their desire to dislodge the ever increasing
invading populace and regain their own land.
The Irish land was taken
from them by English invasion - albeit at the behest of the
Pope in the very early stages - and that land, particularly in the north was planted
with a rapid invasion of Protestants from Scotland and England.
Much of what took place then, as today, was
done in God's Name.
I believe that
the Orange Order
- despite Christian declarations, despite having many Christians, even ministers, within its
ranks - manifests a cultural, political and territorial 'christianity' to the world that is a distortion of the
Truth as spoken off and lived out by Jesus and His
apostles and disciples.
As much as the South of Ireland is held captive by the
'Queen of heaven' spirit, so the north is held captive by
a very aggressive religious spirit which, when confronted,
produces behaviour at times more akin to the Islamic zealot than
the God fearing Christian.
Instead of the fragrance of Jesus, each
and every year we get the stench of religious arrogance
domination and control. Each and every summer this
'Godly brotherhood' takes us back to drink at the 300
year old wells of Protestant triumphalism, annually
re-emphasising - to a very delicately balanced nation - the
cultural/historical/religious divisions that have so
wracked the land and produced so much pain and so many
deaths.
Each and every year
for many years the age old emotions on both
sides were stirred up to dangerous levels. The
paramilitaries were attracted in to both sides, police
leave was stopped, troops were on stand by, the nation held
its breathe as the Orange Order went on its seasonal outings. Amidst
this tension, fear, and often national chaos we were served
up large helpings of Christian rhetoric.
Every Orangeman as
part of his Orange Order oath PROMISES to
'assist, as far
as in you lies, the magistrates and civil authorities in
the lawful execution of their duties when called upon to
do so'
Every Orangeman
also promises on oath to..
'seek the
guidance of the Holy Spirit, to walk in public and in
private consistently with this profession'
If the spirit
behind the Orange Order was the Holy Spirit then the
outworking manifestations (fruit) would be..
Unconditional obedience to the authorities
Acts 23:5 Romans 13 - (unless they demand that God's people
break God's laws which
has not happened)
Godly yoking only 2nd
Corinthians 6:14 (Oaths & rituals
yoke men together)
Let 'Yes' be 'Yes' and 'No be no'
- Matthew 5: 34 -37 (rather than taking a ritual
oath of secrecy as in the
Royal Arch Purple)
Non resistance - Matthew 5:39
(rather than the
troops and barricades that were
needed in the 1990's and early 2000 years to halt
or redirect marches)
Walk the extra mile - Matthew
5:41 (when a security detour is asked for it should
be agreed, and more, rather than being
resisted)
Openness in all things -
Matthew 10:27 (rather than being a
'society with secrets') Jesus said "in secret
I have said nothing" John 18:20
Looking out for the needs of
others - Matthew 25:31- 46 (instead of demanding
that the Order's needs are always the priority)
Gentleness towards others - Philippians
4:5 (rather than the hostile words and actions
directed towards any person or group not in
agreement)
Peacemakers - Matthew 5:9
(rather than being a continual cause of
community conflict)
Blessing others - James 9:12
(rather than the reviling words that
have so often been directed at those whom the Order does not agree
with)
Loving neighbours - Luke
10:26 - 37 (rather than intimidating them with bands
and marches proclaiming 300 year old victories over their
ancestors)
Church of Ireland church
flying the Union Jack surrounded by four orange & purple
flags.
The world is not
deceived by territorial soulishness dressed up in Christian
rhetoric, or the sight of men carrying Bibles with
swords and banners as they walk behind what are commonly
referred to as aggressive 'kick the pope bands'.
The world does not see Jesus when they march.
Worse than that.
By claiming to be Christian the Order's aggressive
and at times lawless attitudes and behaviour are
actually one of the biggest stumbling blocks to others
being drawn to Christ. When churches fly Union
Jack and Orange Order flags from their rooftops during
the July twelfth marching season they proclaim a
monstrous cultural Christianity that has nothing to do
with the proclamation of the Kingdom of God. If the
Orange Order and the Kingdom of God are virtually one
and the same thing - as is clearly implied on banner and
in speech - what message does that send to every
nationalist and Roman Catholic?
How many men who insisted on
marching
from the Church in Drumcree each year have been to their
neighbours in the nearby Catholic estate as living letters from
Jesus? Offering help if help is needed. Have any of
the Orangemen attending the Drumcree church asked Jesus 'Who is my
neighbour?' Despite the fine words God looks at each
man's heart.
"I am He who
searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one
of you according to your works" Revelation 2:23b
How many men in orange
sashes who sat in this
church each July for a decade outwardly singing hymns with great gusto
and bowing their heads
in reverent prayer were inwardly, in their minds and hearts, waiting to leave the church and
- in full sight of the world's press -hurl abuse, spittle
and rocks at the authorities or anyone else who might seek
to hinder their traditional
rights to march through their neighbour's area?
Jesus said to them,
"Alltoo well you reject the commandment
of God, that you may keep your tradition.." Mark
7:9
The very use of the
Church itself brought disgrace on the Body of Christ.
This annual display of hatred and
intolerance, focused on the parish church of Drumcree, has
also done severe damage to the image and standing of the
Church of Ireland itself. Some of this damage is
self-inflicted. Last year, the synod, the church's
parliament, took a step forward when a letter was sent at
its behest to the Orange Order seeking assurances about
its conduct at the church. The Order did not reply.
Irish Times, July 7th 2000
This is what God's
word describes as true Christian behaviour..
Does a spring send forth fresh water
and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my
brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no
spring yields both salt water and fresh.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him
show by good conduct that his works aredone
in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and
self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against
the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is
earthly, sensual, demonic.
For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion
and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that
is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,
willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without
partiality and without hypocrisy.
Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by
those who make peace.
- James 3: 11- 18
Typical of this counterfeit 'cultural'
Christianity was the preaching of Orange Order leader the Rev.
Monsell of Portadown in 1795 - preaching which led to events which still
leaves its curse upon the surrounding land 200 years
later. (see
Drumcree further down page)
Until these ungodly 'roots'
which still hold the nation into historical bondage are dealt with
before God in spirit and in truth, there will be, can be, no
true 'heart felt' peace in Ireland. Sparks will always
be able to rekindle old flames of hatred and mistrust.
If instead of 'For God and Ulster' the heart
cry was 'Jesus, all for Jesus' the situation might be different.
When asked to
walk a mile we would walk two. We would obey the
authorities that God has placed over us in the land. We
would forgive seventy times seven. We would bless those who
curse us. We would turn the other cheek. We would not return
reviling with reviling. We would put away all malice and
anger. We would be known by a dying world for our love, joy,
peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control, and so by our fruit people
would see Jesus in us, would know that He lives in us and
would know that we belonged to Him. Because by our fruit we
are known.
God, through His Son Jesus Christ, has called His true
disciples to go out into all the world and especially to our
neighbours to make disciples. He has not called us to take
any portion of land in His Name and to hold any portion of
land in His Name by might and power. He has not told us to
subdue any people, malign any people, threaten any people or
dominate any people.
Ireland was an impoverished land with an impoverished
people. The Protestant plantation - from which stock I
almost certainly came - did not come to feed the hungry
Irish, did not come to house them, or clothe them or
heal them in any way.
They came to take their land and subdue them and to
prosper in the process.
"I
was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty
and you gave Me no drink; I
was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked
and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and
you did not visit Me." - Jesus
Seeds of hatred
were sown against 'Protestantism' which still have us reaping
a terrible harvest today. Every year the
marches
around July 12th water
those seeds afresh.
The principalities and powers over this
land control much of the climate through those who still
drink deeply at these ancient bitter fountains. When you truly live for Jesus people will
welcome you down their streets not barricade them. I
know of no salvation army band that has been barricaded out
of any estate. I know of no individual who has been
prevented from going to church. Even an individual
Orangeman. None of that is offensive or threatening.
What is offensive and threatening is behaviour such as was
witnessed by millions on television when in 1996 some Orange
marchers and loyalist supporters following the parade
taunted Ormeau Road residents
over the UFF murder of
five Roman Catholics as they passed the scene of the 1992
atrocity.
What
is offensive and threatening are
the bonfires the night
before the marches, where a human effigy is burnt and where drunkenness
and violence are common place. What is offensive and
threatening are the aggressive flute bands. What is
offensive and threatening are the paramilitaries who often
stood on the sidelines speaking threats to those who
oppose them. Many kept silent because of the levels of
intimidation that might come from speaking out.
"Our
parading is part of our religious worship"
- Orange spokesman quoted in the Belfast Telegragh Aug 8th 1995
I
remember one summer's day (in the mid 1990's) being in the
kitchen and hearing a man ranting and raving on the
television in the next room. I could not make out the words,
but I honestly thought it was old footage of Adolf Hitler
being broadcast. Curious, I went next door and to my shock
it was not Adolf Hitler ranting and raving, but a minister
on an Orange order platform bitterly reviling the many enemies
he was identifying to his listeners. To
say that these parades and the culture surrounding them is
part of religious 'worship' to God brings shame on us
all.. This is not defending the faith. Sadly,
this is desecrating
the faith.
When Nationalist residents in the village of
Dunloy objected to the Orange Parade through their streets
the response from
Orange Order supporters was to block Roman Catholics
from attending Mass at Harryville Chapel in the Ballymena
area. This
aggressive protest was maintained from September 1996 to
May 1998.
In
2002 television viewers saw Orangemen, having just come from
the service at Drumcree Parish Church, cover a police
woman's hat (and presumably her face) in spit as she and the
assistant Chief Constable spoke to the Orangemen at Drumcree.
This malice and rage which manifests so readily in Orangemen
and their supporters against anyone who disagrees with them
is quite frightening. In 2002 the Rev. Earl Storey's home was
targeted during an early morning attack in which several windows and a car
windscreen were smashed. His crime was to write a book suggesting
that the Church of Ireland should cut its links with the
Orange Order.
An Orange poem which demonstrates how
the theology of 'defending the faith' is thoroughly
interwoven into triumphal Orangeism.
Are you a loyal Orangeman and worthy of the name
Of William Prince of Orange, immortal honoured fame?
What is your daily practice, which is the part you play?
Do you respond to duties' call and tread the narrow way?
Was it through love and loyalty that you a stranger came
To cross the rugged mountains in search of Jordan's plain?
Where the waters stood divided and the chosen found a way
Was it to aid such principles you joined the grand array?
Was it for sake of earthly gain you joined the glorious throng
Of William Prince of Orange who conquered at the Boyne?
Do you accept the righteous robe that made all nations free
And care not for the principles that gained such liberty?
Do you uphold the principles for which our fathers died,
Or when the enemy is in view are you the one to hide?
Have you attained the golden steps, Faith, Hope, and Charity,
Or do you stand at Rome's command to lap and bend the knee?
These are simple questions, to each your answer give
The world will prove it's value by the life you try to live
If you're a would-be Orangeman then choose some other sect,
But if a worthy Orangeman you're one of the Elect.
It is important to gain an understanding of the
blood stained soil that the Orange Order has grown
out of. There are many excellent books on Ireland's
history and the following potted history is mostly an amalgam of short extracts taken
from a variety of publications dealing specifically with Ireland's history. The additional
spiritual observations are in red.
The World Book Multimedia Encyclopaedia writes.. The Orange Order is a
Protestant organization in Northern Ireland. It has long sought to keep
Protestants in
power in the country and to maintain Northern Ireland's union with Britain. The Orange
Order was founded in 1795 by Anglican Protestant farmers in County Armagh,
Ireland. It grew out of a conflict between Protestant and Roman Catholic farmers who were bidding to become tenants on the same
farmlands. The Protestant farmers joined together to drive Catholic families out of the
region.
The organization was named for William of Orange. William was the
Protestant leader of the
Netherlands who, in 1689, overthrew James II, the Catholic king of England, Scotland, and
Ireland.
The Orange Order of Northern Ireland is organized into units called lodges. It has about
1,500 lodges and about 100,000 members. The members, called Orangemen, parade through
Protestant and Catholic neighbourhoods during the "marching season" of July.
They sing and carry banners to celebrate past Protestant victories over Catholics.
PLANTATION OF
PROTESTANTS: The
Plantation was the settlement of land that had been previously seized, by people who would
be loyal to the English Crown. The persons who received land were called
"Undertakers" because they had to undertake certain conditions, including
building a house and "bawn" - a fortified barn, and to settle the land with a
minimum number of people of the Protestant faith who could become militia in time of
troubles. The main Plantation period was from 1610 to about 1630.
This invasion was a mixture from nobility who
sought estates to men who were seeking to escape justice. The
Revd. Andrew Stewart of Donaghadee claimed that,,
'from Scotland came many, and from England
not a few, yet all of them generally the scum of both
nations, who for debt or breaking and fleeing from justice,
or seeking shelter, came thither'
Indeed one family, the Johnstons, faced seventy
seven charges of slaughter in 1609.
However
going back less than a century, it was during the reign of Henry VIII the forces which
would later lead to the near total destruction of Celtic culture first appeared.
Henry managed to get himself proclaimed King of Ireland in 1541 by threatening to use
military force and by employing his considerable powers of persuasion, but he never really
secured the English claims to the Irish throne.
Then when Henry broke with the Catholic Church,
he instigated the Protestant Reformation which would eventually set the deeply Catholic
Irish on a collision course with the zealously Protestant English. It was during the long
reign of his daughter Elizabeth that this conflict first came to a head.
English
settlements 1534 - 1609
'The Geography and Practice of English Colonisation in Ireland 1534-
1609'
When Elizabeth became
Queen in 1558 England's control over Ireland was at low ebb.
Just the year before, the first in a long series of
rebellions against English rule had broken out in Ulster. Although not successful,
this rebellion confirmed for Elizabeth that more stringent measures would have to be taken
to stabilize English domination once and for all.
First she imposed the Anglican faith upon the
hostile Catholic populace. and then she began steadily expanding the previously
unsuccessful plantation system.
Seeing their days numbered by forces destined to
completely erode their power, the Irish rose up once more in the 1590's but after nine
years of battle, the English prevailed and the Irish leaders fled to the Continent. This
event became known as the 'flight of the earls'
After the flight of the earls, the government confiscated their lands
and decided to plant six counties of Ulster-Armagh, Cavan, Derry, Donegal, Fermanagh, and
Tyrone-with new settlers.
Estates were granted to three kinds of people: English and
Scottish settlers, who were not allowed to have Irish tenants; Servitors (men who had
served in the English army in Ireland), who might take both British and Irish tenants; and
Irishmen, who could have Irish tenants. Rents were low, but settlers were expected to
build fortified houses. At the same time, two more counties of Ulster, Antrim and Down,
were settled, mainly by people from Scotland. The Ulster settlement was the most
successful of all the Irish plantations. Its success helped to give the area the
Protestant character it has today.
In the years that followed, the government made other settlements in
Ireland. In Carlow, King's County, Leitrim, Longford, and Wexford. Even Old English nobles
(descendants of Norman settlers) lost their lands. As a result of these plantations,
bitter feelings were aroused, and Roman Catholic landowners became alarmed. None of them
felt secure in their lands.
Religion was another cause of discontent. Roman Catholics had enjoyed a
certain degree of religious freedom under King James I and King Charles I. But they feared
that the Puritans, who were coming to power in England, would persecute them.
In
1641, the Irish rebelled, and for 10 years war raged throughout the country. The Irish
Catholics fought for independence. The Old English joined them, but all through the war
they declared that they were loyal to the king and were fighting only for religious
freedom. The Protestants were also divided into two groups: those who supported the king
and those who supported Parliament.
In 1642, the leaders of the rebellion formed the Confederation of
Kilkenny and appointed Owen Roe O'Neill and Thomas Preston as generals. O'Neill won a
great victory at Benburb, in County Tyrone, in 1646. But O'Neill died three years later,
just before Oliver Cromwell landed in Dublin with a large
army.
Cromwell marched north against Drogheda, took the town, and massacred
its people. His ruthlessness struck fear into Irish hearts, and many of the southern and
eastern towns surrendered without a struggle. When Cromwell returned to England in 1650,
the war was almost over, but the Irish army did not surrender for another two years. After
the war, Ireland was in a wretched condition. Its population was halved. Most of its
leaders were either dead or living in exile, and about 30,000 of its armed men had left to
join the armies of France or Spain.
The English government then undertook what it hoped would be the final
settlement of Ireland. Irish landowners were ordered to move west of the River Shannon to
the province of Connacht before May 1, 1652, on pain of death.
The provinces of Ulster, Leinster, and Munster were divided among
Cromwellian soldiers and adventurers (Englishmen who had subscribed money to pay for
Cromwell's campaign in Ireland). Only the Irish landowners were transplanted. The poor
people were allowed to remain as tenants, trades people, and labourers.
Cromwellian settlement was not a complete success. Many of the settlers
sold their farms and returned home. Others married into Irish families, and their
descendants lost their English characteristics. But the settlement did succeed in creating
a new landlord class. Before 1641, Roman Catholics owned about three-fifths of the land.
By the 1680's, they owned one-fifth of it.
When James I succeeded Elizabeth, he resumed
the plantation of English and Scottish settlers with a vengeance, especially in that
part of Ireland which had been the centre of the uprising: Ulster.
By 1622, more than 13,000
Protestants lived in
Ulster.
By 1641 their population was over 100,000.
Within 30 years of the arrival of James' first
settlers, only slightly more than 10 per cent of Ulster still belonged to the Catholic
native Irish. In a generation the social structure of Ulster had been re-engineered in a
fashion that would have painful consequences for both the newly installed, privileged
Protestant majority and the disenfranchised, soon to be impoverished Catholic minority.
The 'reformed
faith' came in to Ulster by might and by power. Not by God's Spirit.
Napoleon said rightly, "What I take
by the sword I must keep by the sword"
And so it was. And so it is. And unless there is repentance for the
iniquity of our forefathers, so it will be. (e.g. 2 Chron. 7:14
Neh.
1:6-7, Lev. 26:40)
The Irish Catholic populace had lost their land to the incoming
Protestant planters. These planters had been encouraged at times with Biblical rhetoric
portraying them as the 'children of Israel', Ulster as the 'promised land' and of course
by inference, the native Irish were the unspeakable Canaanites.
"Let us therefore, use the persuasions which Moses used to Israel..and tell them
(future settlers in east Ulster) that they shall goe to possesse a lande that floweth with
milke and hony, a fertile soile truly if there be any in Europe.." Thomas Brett 1572
Both sides inflicted many terrible massacres upon the other, but while the Irish saw it
as trying to get their land back..
"You see my Lord, all those goodly landes..were once my ancestors, and I meane to
have them agayne; for now the time is come that we shall be righted of the wronges hereto
fore dun unto us" - Phelim MacGillapatrick, chief of the
MacGillapatricks in Upper Ossory c.1598
...the invading English often saw themselves (like the
Crusaders - "We shall slay for God's love") as being the righteous
judgement of God upon the heathen. For instance in 1649 when Oliver Cromwell came to
Ireland to deal with the Catholic rebellion, his soldiers captured the garrison town of
Drogheda and then went wild and massacred nearly 3,000 people. Cromwell wrote "In the
heat of the actions I commanded my soldiers to kill everyone in the town. I think that
night they killed about 2,000 men. Some Catholics took refuge in other parts of the town
from where they killed some of our men. When they surrendered the officers were knocked on
the head, the ordinary soldiers were lined up - one in every ten was executed, and the
other nine shipped off to the Barbados. I believe it was a righteous judgement of God upon
these barbarous wretches who have soaked their hands in so much innocent blood, and that it
will prevent the shedding of blood in the future"
This territorial expansion by might and power was much more palatable when it was given
religious purposes..
This was not how Jesus commissioned His
disciples to bring in the Kingdom of God. This is the way of the Crusades and the way of
Islam. It is the complete anathema to His ways. If the bringing in of the
Kingdom of God had been the real intent then England would have sent in missionaries. But
it was a land grab and hold, and a people conquer scheme, and so
Protestant planters loyal to the English Throne were sent in.
On October 23rd 1641 a series of uprisings in Ulster spread panic among the
Protestant settlers. Those who were not killed by the rebels fled for safety into the defended towns,
where plague and starvation soon took their toll. Modern historians suggest that the first
accounts of the rebellion exaggerated the number of deaths
(100,000) and the extent of the
atrocities committed by the native Irish. Wherever the truth lies, the rebellion created
in Protestant minds a distrust of their Catholic neighbours which has survived to modern
times.
THE BATTLE OF THE BOYNE: No date in Irish history is better known than 1690. No Irish
battle is more famous than William 3rd's victory over James 2nd at the River Boyne.
These were the days
when - despite the clear words of Jesus that 'My
kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world,
My servants would fight..'
(John 18:36) - religious affiliation was linked to physical territory.
Kings and Popes made alliances and invaded or defended lands for a diverse number of reasons,
and religious affiliation was in the mix. Because that was the
'spirit' behind the following events, and because William 3rd is
still idolised by so many, the same spirit remains at work in
Northern Ireland. Jesus was after the territory of men's
hearts both then and now, and it was and still is, the Sword of
the Spirit not the sword of steel that takes and holds this
precious territory.
James, a Roman Catholic, had lost the throne of England in the bloodless 'Glorious
Revolution' of 1688.William was Prince of Orange, a Dutch speaking Protestant married to James's daughter
Mary, and he became King at the request of parliament. James sought refuge with his old
Catholic ally Louis XIV of France, who saw the opportunity to strike at William through Ireland. He
provided French officers and arms for James, who landed at Kinsale in March 1689. The Lord
Deputy, the Earl of Tyrconnell, was a Catholic loyal to James, and his army controlled
most of the island. James quickly summoned a parliament, largely Catholic, which
proceeded to repeal the legislation under which Protestant settlers had acquired the land.
William could not ignore the threat in Ireland. In August 1689 Marshal Schomberg landed
at Bangor with 20,000 troops, and with Ulster secure pushed south as far as Dundalk.
William landed in Carrickfergus of June 14th 1690 and was able to muster 36,000 men
which included Danish mercenaries as well as English and Dutch regiments.
He began
his march towards Dublin. There was some resistance near Newry, but the Jacobites soon
withdrew to the south bank of the River Boyne.
The battle was fought on July 1st 1690 at a fordable river bend four miles west of
Drogheda. William's army was stronger by around 10,000 men. By mid afternoon the Jacobite
army was in retreat, outpaced by James himself, who rode to Dublin to warn of William's
approach. He was in France before the month was out. On July 6th William entered Dublin
where he gave thanks for victory in Christ Church Cathedral.
Jesus said
"And I, if I am lifted up from
the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." Christians
have no permission to lift up any other name before people,
especially using terms such as 'glorious and immortal memory' or
'that great deliverer of the faith'*
Meet the
counterfeit saviour on the white horse..
'It was partly the fear of acts like this recurring which led
Protestants in the 1690's to look to the Prince of Orange, later
William 3rd for protection'
The Orange Order - an evangelical
perspective. page 6,7
Meet
the real Saviour on the white horse..
Now I saw heaven opened, and
behold a white horse. And He who sat on him was
called Faithful and True..
and in righteousness He
judges and makes war. His eyes were like a
flame of fire, and on His head were many
crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except
Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in
blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the
armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and
clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His
mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should
strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with
a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the
fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on
His
robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS
AND LORD OF LORDS.
Thus says the Lord: "Cursed is
the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his
strength.." Jeremiah 17:5 "Blessed
is the man who trusts in the Lord" Jeremiah 17:7
Now therefore,
fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and
put away the gods which your fathers served on the other
side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! And if it
seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves
this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your
fathers served that were on the other side of the
River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you
dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the
Lord." Joshua 24 :14 - 18
Religious liberty guaranteed.
In 1691, on October 3rd, William of
Orange's commanders signed a treaty with the Irish
commanders guaranteeing 52 articles. The treaty was
confirmed by William and Mary who pledged the 'honour of
England' that it should be kept inviolably. Included in
these articles were guarantees to the Catholics that..
* the free exercise of their
religion
* the privileges of sitting in
Parliament
* freedom of trade
* the safety of the estates of those
who had taken up arms for king James
* a general amnesty
* all the honours of war to the troops
and a free choice for their future destination.
Page 911/912 Cusack's 'History of
Ireland'
Religious liberty denied.
In 1695 Lord Capel was appointed
Viceroy. He at once summoned a Parliament which sat for
several sessions, and in which some of the penal laws
against Catholics were enacted. A selection of these
were..
* All Catholics were denied the right
to vote and it excluded them from all offices of trust,
and indeed from all remunerative employment, however
insignificant.
* They were fined ?60 a month for
being absent from the Protestant form of worship.
* They were forbidden to travel more
than five miles from their homes.
* Any four Justices of the Peace could
without further trial banish a man for life for refusing
to attend the Protestant form of worship.
* No Catholic could employ a Catholic
schoolmaster to educate his children
and if he sent them abroad for their education he could
be fined ?100, and the child could not inherit property
in England or Ireland.
* Any Catholic priest who came to the
country could be hanged.
* Any Protestant suspecting another Protestant
of holding property in trust for a Catholic
might file a bill against the suspect and take the
property from him.
* Any Protestant seeing a Catholic
tenant at work on a farm which in his opinion yielded
one third more than the annual rent might enter on that
farm and by simply swearing to the fact, take possession
of that farm.
*Any Protestant might take away the
horse of a Catholic, no matter how valuable simply by
paying him ?5.
* Horses and wagons belonging to
Catholics were in all cases to be seized for use by the
militia.
* Any Catholic gentleman's child who
became a Protestant could at once take possession of his
father's property.
pages 914/915 Cusacks 'History of
Ireland'.
* In 1771 grace was granted to the
Catholics by which they were allowed to take a lease of
50 acres of bog, and half an acre of arable land for a
house, but this holding must not be within a mile of any
town.
page 922 of Cusack's 'History of
Ireland'
Edward Synge, Bishop of Tuam, estimated that fifty thousand
Scots families came to Ulster between 1689 and 1715; this figure
is probably too high but the Presbyterians were able to record a
doubling of their congregations between 1660 and 1715. Bishop
MacMahon wrote of Ulster in 1714:
'Although all Ireland is suffering, this province is worse
off than the others, because of the fact that from the neighbouring
country of Scotland, Calvinists are coming over here daily in
large groups of families, occupying the towns and villages,
seizing the farms in the richer parts of the country and
expelling the natives'
'A History of Ulster' Jonathan Bardon, page 171
Once the land was occupied, the ensuing struggle was seen by
the native Irish Catholic 'rebel' as a political freedom / territorial
regain battle whereas the new occupiers
- the Ulster-Scots Protestant 'loyalist' - from now onwards saw it
as a religious control / territorial control battle. That of
the reformed faith standing firm against Popery. This supplied
spiritual reasons for ungodly religious and political control by the minority over the
majority. The famous Samuel Johnston after making a visit to
Northern Ireland wrote.
'The Irish are in a most unnatural state. for we see there
the minority prevailing over the majority. There is no instance,
even in the Ten Persecutions, of such severity as that which the
Protestants of Ireland have exercised against the Catholics'. -
'A History of Ulster' Jonathan Bardon, page 170
There were continual outbreaks of hostility between displaced native Irish and the
planted Protestant and the atrocities committed by both sides
are almost unreadable. The displaced Irish were designated 'rebels' and those
determined to keep Ireland under British
authority were 'loyalists'
Tensions between the two communities were at breaking point.
Murders and battles were commonplace. Secret Irish (Catholic) raiding groups sprung up (such as 'Hearts of Steel' and 'the
Defenders') and these were met by equally determined secret Ulster
(Protestant) defence
groups (such as ' O' Day boys)
Interestingly,
even after several
centuries little has changed, and today's
equivalent on the Irish Nationalist (Roman Catholic) side are the IRA and
the ILNA, and on the Ulster Loyalist (Protestant) side the UDA,
UVF, UFF, LVF
One such Protestant defence group called 'The Orange Boys' was formed by a man called
James Wilson. (see below for more details) This group was involved on one skirmish
at a place called the Diamond in on September 21, 1795. The "skirmish" was
between the Roman Catholic 'Defenders' and the Protestants of the area. When it ended the
Protestants formed a circle, joined hands and declared their brotherhood in loyalty to the
Crown, the country and the Reformed religion.
Taking the land, settling the land, defending the land. For
God and Ulster.
From this bloodied background the Orange Order was about to emerge..
The three men involved in the foundation of the Orange Order were James 'Budhra'
Wilson, Dan Winter and James Sloan. Two were publicans. All three were
Freemasons.
Quote from the Orange historian R.M.Sibbett's 'Orangeism in Ireland'
"Wilson was also a member of the society of Freemasons, which fully qualified him
for establishing a new order of a secret character. He was already familiar with signs and
passwords. He repeatedly asked the Freemasons to interfere on behalf of the
Protestants.
They refused, however, and indignant at their conduct, he mounted his horse to return
home. But, before going, he addressed his brethren, telling them that he would light a
star in the Dian (Co.Tyrone) which would eclipse them for ever' Arrived at home, he
conceived the idea of a new organisation of the Orange boys"
After the Battle of the Diamond he and Dan Winter and James
Sloan met and agreed to form the Orange Society, using the Orange Boys as the working
model. The initiates would be known as Orange men.
Quote from 'The formation of the Orange Order' published by the Grand
Orange Lodge'
"James Wilson was the best informed and most experienced man in the
company; and after having fully and thoughtfully discussed the subject, bearing in mind
the opposition excited by the Whinney Hill meetings (This meeting of the 'Orange Boys'
held in Moy) and the difficulties that they might have to encounter in connection with the
new arrangements, it was unanimously resolved to adopt the Orange Boys society as the
working model; to admit Protestants only to membership;, and in compliment to the memory
of the Prince of Orange, to call the proposed organisation the Orange Society, the
initiated to be known as Orange Men"
The Masonic order would not do what James Wilson wanted them to do - it
was not their remit as a world wide brotherhood - so a similar organisation was formed,
but tailored specifically to the Protestant situation. It was a true spiritual offshoot
from Freemasonry and the members of both brotherhoods understood this perfectly.
Quote from 'History of Ireland'Vol 3 No 3 Autumn 1995
"It is no accident that Freemasonry underwent one of its most rapid surges of
expansion during the heyday of volunteering, or that it occurred above all in the
Volunteer heartlands of Ulster and Dublin. Indeed in several cases Masonic lodges
and Volunteer companies merged. Lodges and companies, with their regalia and uniforms,
answered largely the same social and recreational demands, and the number testifies to the
density and richness of popular culture in Ulster. By 1804 there were 43 recognised or
warranted Masonic lodges in Armagh, 92 in neighbouring Tyrone and 56 in County
Down. Masonic secrecy applied only to the internal ritual and business of the craft, not
to membership. For example, in October 1784 a Masonic funeral held at Loughgall the
site of the original Defender-Peep O Day Boy feud included 1,000 Volunteers
and 300 Masons in regular procession. Unsurprisingly such a common style of
association provided others, sometimes Masons themselves, with a ready-made model"
James Verner Hart, speaking on March 8th 1875 at Eldon Lodge
No:7 said
'The tiyered Protestants, whose homeward road from the
Diamond led through Loughgall where they stopped for
refreshments at the in kept by Mr.James Sloan whom I
personally knew, and there they formed an Orange lodge after the
model of the Freemasons' - Orangeism in Ireland through
the Empire vol.1 pages 286-287
Colonel Wallace was one of the Orange Orders most esteemed leaders and today is still
held in the highest of honour.
As a young man he joined Eldon Orange Lodge and in 1903 succeeded Colonel Edward
Saunderson as County Grand Master of Belfast.
He held this position till 1921, during which time he was Grand Secretary of the Grand
Orange Lodge (1903 -1910) and Grand President of the Grand Orange Council of the World
(1909 - 1912)
During the Home Rule crisis he played an active part in the Ulster Volunteer Force.
His importance to the Orange Order and to the foundation of Northern Ireland can be
seen by his inclusion with Sir Edward Carson and Sir James Craig
The recent Orange Order publication 'The Formation of the Orange Order'
has his photo on the front cover and draws much on
his papers recording the early years of the order.
He was one of the leaders who worked to get the Masonic
like rituals of the Purple and Black finally accepted
into the Orange system.
He attended Down Cathedral where in 1931, two years after his death, the Masonic
Province of Down placed a large memorial window next to the pulpit .
At the apex of the double window is the Masonic all seeing
eye and the 33rd degree double headed eagle holding the sword. On the left hand window
there is a depiction of Hiram Abiff and on the right King Solomon. At the base of the
window is the information that the window is in honour of Robert Wallace, 33rd degree
Freemason.
This Cathedral claims the grave place of St.Patrick in its grounds. It's
spiritual significance cannot be underestimated.
There is a single window for St.Patrick at the rear of the Cathedral and this pride of
place for Hiram Abiff and 33rd degree Freemasonry towering over the
pulpit.
A greater defiling of the church would be hard to imagine (Ezekiel 8 : 16)
The ritual initiation into
the Royal Arch Purple - originally known as Purple Marksman.
The emblems of this degree are; Arch; three stepped ladder, goat, five pointed star; (formerly) two and a half triangles; heart with sword, heart cross and anchor; three branched candlestick; coffin ; Bible; sun moon and stars.
''It
has to be admitted that this is the most 'Masonic like' part
of our ceremony'' - The Orange Order, An Evangelic
Perspective, page 12
Note:
The single ritual described below is referred to as 'riding the
goat'. This is derived from the degree
password 'GOAT' which are the first letters of 'The Ark
Of God' reversed. Interestingly it is satanism which
delights in reversing the things of God such as the
Lord's prayer, the Cross, etc. and the goat itself is a symbol of baphomet - linked to the
higher
degrees of Freemasonry, as well as satanism of
course.
The 'joke' of telling nervous
candidates that they are about to ride the goat is taken
straight from Freemasonry. ( pages 86,87 'Masonry.
Beyond the Light' by Wm. Schnoebelen)
The official Royal Arch
Purple book states
"All candidates
entering the Institution do so to some degree in a state of
ignorance and so it could be said that they are open to be
hoodwinked"
However, in the draft
version of this book the explanation went deeper.
"the blindfold or
hoodwink is taken by some to denote secrecy, but it can also
be symbolic of dependency on a friend and in a state of
darkness or ignorance which will be relieved by the true
light of knowledge"
The Pocket encyclopaedia of
Masonic symbols states
"Blindfolding a
candidate in any rite is not for practical but for spiritual
reasons. The temporary blinding is a symbol of present
darkness, which will be displaced by light when and if the
initiate succeeds in penetrating the mysteries before
him
Based on a leaflet written
by the former Deputy Grand Chaplain of Grand Orange Lodge of
England, the Rev. Alexander Moore, and published by the
Protestant Truth Society in 1925. The Masonic ritual parts
are in purple for emphasis.
At the commencement of the night the
candidate is required to take an oath binding himself never to
disclose any matter pertaining to the Royal Arch Purple Order.
He also swears not to have any unlawful carnal knowledge with
the female relatives of his brother Royal Arch Purplemen.
The oath concludes with the candidate
swearing to "keep and conceal the secrets of my
Royal Arch Purple brethren within his breast
"murder and treason excepted.
[return]
The Candidate, duly prepared for the ceremony of
initiation, waits in the adjoining ante-room. He has
been divested of his coat, vest, collar, boots and
socks.
He stands barefoot, with his trouser-legs rolled up
to the knees, his shirt open at the breast, and
blindfolded by a bandage around his eyes. A purple ribbon is pinned to the man's
shirt or other garment.
The oath taken, the candidate is branded
with the Seal of the Lodge upon his bare chest and the seal, if a metal one, has been previously heated for the
impression.
Before he enters the lodge-room, the
reverent master warns the brethren present in these terms:
"Now brethren, you must try to control
your risibility?s tonight, if you can"
Accompanied by the harmonium all join in
singing the hymn 'Come, Holy Ghost, our souls Inspire'
followed by a prayer and reading of a Scripture portion by the
Chaplain.
The Candidate is ushered in, in the
condition already described, bearing a wand or staff in one
hand.
The journey through the wilderness then
commences. Three times is the blindfolded candidate conducted
round the leaf strewn path in the hall, being whipped upon the
bare legs with switches made of small branches of twigs by
five or six of the brethren during the circuit of the hall.
The Chaplain during this portion as other portions of the
ceremony is engaged in either reading portions of Scripture or
certain prayers.
During the first circuit the unfortunate
candidate stepping upon the coke and cinders uttered
exclamations of pain and surprise. He fell to the floor upon
coke-amid renewed laughter. The coke was imported into the
ceremony (so the master said) as a 'special treat' for the
unfortunate candidate."
As the candidate is led round the room the
first time he sustains a fall, and is raised up, on the words
"0 death, where is thy sting?" He is then led round
again and receives the second fall, and is raised up, on the
words "0 grave, where is thy victory?" The Royal
Arch Purple here apply this text in 1 Corinthians 15, which
relates alone to God's people, to all its initiates
(saved or unsaved).
The candidate is made to lie upon his back
each circuit at a selected spot, whilst the Chaplain says
certain prayers over him.
On the third and final lap round the
Chapter room, the initiate sustains his third and
final fall, which results in him being raised by the
five points of fellowship. First - foot to foot..
Second - knee to knee.. .Third - hand in hand.. Fourth
- breast to breast.. .Fifth and last - left hand
behind back.
The blindfolded Royal Arch Purple candidate
is led over to within four or five feet of the front of a
purpose-built three-stepped ladder, symbolising 'Jacob's
ladder'. The candidate then steps 'two and a half paces
forward towards the ladder, in an observance called 'the
advancement'. This 'two and a half paces represent the secret
mystical number of the Order.
(The Royal Arch Purple Order claim to be
representative of the two and a half tribes that led the
vanguard of Israel to the Promised Land, and the numerals two
and a half are to some extent the badge of their
Organisation.)
"He (the candidate) is made to mount
the three steps to the platform (representing Faith, Hope and
Charity) and bidden to stand on the topmost step, about five
feet above the ground level. Next he is turned round with his
back to the strong sheet, and with a dextrous push backward by
the clerical Master of the Lodge, is thrown Into the sheet
upon his back. In this position he is carried round the hall,
various sly kicks being administered en-route - the candidate
vigorously protesting against the kicks."
This is the
infamous 'riding the goat'.
The lecturers ask the blindfolded
candidate: "What do you stand most in need of?
The answer is "Light."
He continues, "When the
bandage over his eyes is removed, his first view is
the points of two swords held in dangerous proximity
to the breast and the pistol at his head.
Finally he is made to stand in
front of the coffin, skull, pistol and swords, whilst
he takes the oath administered by the Master, the
skull being placed in his hands during the
oath-taking."
He is informed of the consequences
of disloyalty to the Royal Arch Purple - that of
having his throat cut across from ear to ear, his
tongue tom out by its roots and his left breast torn
open, his heart and vitals taken there from,
etc.
The ceremony now concludes and the
candidate, after being permitted to resume his divested
clothing, returns to the Lodge room and is welcomed as a duly
accredited member of the Royal Arch Purple degree.
"The Royal Arch Purple degree, in most of its features,
is not unknown to members of the Black Preceptory and the Masonic Order" - Orangeism
Vol. 2 page 609
Royal Black Preceptory degrees.
1. Royal Black
2. Royal Scarlet
3.Royal Mark
4.Apron & Royal Blue
5. Royal White
6.Royal Green
7.Royal Gold
8.Star & Garter
9.Crimson Arrow
10. Link & Chain
11.Red Cross
Each degree is associated with at least one Bible story.
1. Royal Black Degree - Joseph and his coat of many colours (Genesis 37-50) The Exodus (Book of
Exodus) Elijah and the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 6-19) Emblems: Skull and crossbone; coffin; hand;
burning bush.
2. Royal Scarlet Degree - Joshua, Rahab and the battle of Jericho (Joshua 2 & 6) Emblems; Trumpets;
the Ark of the Covenant.
3. Royal Mark Degree - The crossing of the Jordan (Joshua 3 & 4) Emblems: Twelve stones.
4. Apron and Royal Blue Degree* - Solomon and the building of the temple at Jerusalem (1 Kings 5-8;
2 Chronicles 2-8) The wise men and slaughter of the innocents (Matthew 2) Emblems: Square and
compasses; plum-line; level; apron.
5. Royal White Degree - David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17-18) Emblems: Five stones and a sling.
6. Royal Green Degree - Adam and Eve (Genesis 2-3); Noah's Ark (Genesis 6-9) Emblems: Gardener's
tools; Noah's Ark; dove.
7. Royal Gold Degree - The two and a half tribes creating a separate altar in Gilead (Joshua 22)
Emblem: Gold crown
8. Star and Garter Degree - Melchisedek and the priesthood of all believers (Exodus 28; Hebrews 7;
Revelation 5.
9. Crimson Arrow Degree - Jehu's purge (2 Kings 10-12) Emblems: Arrow; arrow through the heart.
10. Link and Chain Degree - Daniel, his dreams, Belshazzar's feast; Daniel in the lion's den
(Daniel 2,3,5 & 6) Emblem: Balance
11. Red Cross Degree** - The death and resurrection of Christ (John 19-21); the New Jerusalem
(Revelation 21)
*The Apron & Royal Blue Degree is the most
Masonic in it's emblems, featuring the square
and compass, plumb, level and apron
** When the candidate reaches the 11th and final degree,
known as the 'Red Cross' degree he wears a black Masonic-type apron emblazoned with the Masonic Square and compass
containing the Masonic 'G' within. (In Freemasonry the G stands for Geometric Principle)
Masonic symbol on aprons and on tie.
Masonic symbols on sash >
Black Preceptory members also are
known as 'Knights' The highest degree - the Red
Cross - is similar in name to the third highest
degree in York Rite Freemasonry - 'Order of the Red
Cross'
The Royal Black Preceptory symbol of the cross
set inside crown is the same as the Knights Templar (York Rite) symbol in
Freemasonry.
Despite its rituals being
based on Biblical stories the rituals are anything but
scriptural, involving many of the ritual aspects of Masonry.
Despite an Orange publication stating 'we have no mysteries'
the certificate given to the candidate states clearly that by
zealous labour he has 'acquired great skill in the
ceremonies mysteries and secrets of our most noble ancient
and Christian order of Royal Black Knights'
For more than 25 years the Orange Institution passionately fought to keep
the heavily ritualistic 'ceremonies mysteries and secrets' of
the Royal Arch Purple and the Royal Black Preceptory separate from
Orangeism because they recognised the ungodly nature of the
rituals. Eventually however, those known as the 'ritualists'
- such as 33rd degree Freemason Colonel Wallace - had their way and the Order
eventually recognised them and welcomed them
into the Orange family.
Thus the real spirit behind the brotherhood reveals
itself at the highest degree by stamping men with its mark
or badge of
ownership. By that stage the candidate has been
ritually processed by the previous degrees so as to be
spiritually blinded when blatantly confronted with the Masonic spirit's
mark of ownership.
We have seen that there is Freemasonry in the founder
members and in the foundations of the Orange system, we
have seen that there is Freemasonry in the middle
section (Royal Arch Purple) and now we have seen that
there is Freemasonry woven in at the very top.
As the Royal Black Preceptory is regarded as the
'senior' brotherhood it is right to test the spirit
behind this brotherhood.
Examine yourselves asto whether you
are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know
yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed
you are disqualified 2nd Corinthians 13:5
Here is the test. Is Jesus Lord? Does the
organisation submit to His Word?
"But why do you call Me
Lord, Lord, and do not do the things which I say? Luke
6:46
Their rituals - despite being dressed up in religious
garments - are highly secret, password protected, and
carried out in secret behind closed doors. IF
these spiritual deeds are of God then they can safely be
brought out into the light for the Body of Christ to
discern.
"For everyone practicing evil
hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his
deeds should be exposed. But he
who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be
clearly seen, that they have been done in God." John
3: 20
IF the rituals and oaths are shameful then they will
stay hidden in the darkness where they belong.
'For it is shameful even to speak of those things which
are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed
are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest
is light' Ephesians 5:12
Jesus' words on oath taking are crystal clear..
"But I say to you, do not
swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God?s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His
footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great
King. Nor shall you swear by
your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your ?Yes? be ?Yes,?
and your ?No,? ?No.? For whatever is more than these
is from the evil one. Matthew 5:34
James repeats this truth, but adds the words 'above all..'
to emphasise their importance to Christians lest they be
deceived and bring their lives under condemnation.
'But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by
heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but
let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall
into condemnation'. James 5:12
From scripture we can categorically state that 'inner room
secrecy' has NOTHING to do with the Kingdom of God.
"For there is nothing covered
that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be
known. Therefore whatever you
have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what
you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed
on the housetops" Luke 12:2
If God will not speak in secret, then neither must we, His
children.
"This is what the Lord says;
"I am the Lord. There is no other God. I did not speak
in secret, or hide my words in some dark place" Isaiah
45: 18b
Ungodly cultural and family traditions are a very powerful tool in
satan's hands. Do men in this brotherhood put the
traditions of their fathers ahead of the clear commands of
God?
'Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites,
as it is written: "This
people honours Me with their lips, but their hearts are far
from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines
the commandments of men". ... 'All too well you reject
the commandment of God, that you may keep your
tradition" Mark 7:6
IF the Spirit of God is
not the Author of these rituals then which spirit might be?
The Black Preceptory has guarded its secrets better than most secret societies by putting little down in writing, preferring its lecturers to learn the rituals orally and pass them on orally.
However in 2009 W.P Malcolmson, the author of the Orange Order expose 'Behind closed doors' published this book called 'Inside The Royal Black Institution'
For the first time in history the institution is laid bare for all to see, and one can then see why the secrecy was needed.
The evidence is clear that this senior Orange order is awash with Masonic, Knights Templar and Jesuit ritual, symbols and theology.
One line from page 64 sums up the whole.
'Sadly, whilst outwardly portraying Protestantism, The black inwardly practices paganism'
Not only were the founding men Freemasons, but
they used the Masonic Hall as their meeting place to decide on signs symbols passwords
etc. It is therefore no surprise that the vast majority of Orange symbols are
Masonic
'Wilson was the spokesman, and having heard
his reply he invited them into the Masonic room, and then and
there satisfactory arrangements were made. As might be expected,
there was nothing either refined or attractive in the words and
tokens and ceremonial; but the influence of the place and its
associations can be discerned in the results' - 'The Formation of
the Orange Order, page 50
'All the Masonic associations owe to it their
secrets and symbolism from the kabala' (Jewish occult) 'Morals
and Dogma' page 744, - Albert Pike 33rd degree Mason
The above are only a few of the
symbols shared between Freemasonry and the Orange Order. In
order to comprehend the depth of the spiritual ties between
the two brotherhoods compare the two official collections of
symbols. Simply click on each to enlarge and
compare.
Masonic banner (1795)
Official Orange 'postcard' (1995)
Black and white floor
twin pillars and arch
Sun, moon, stars
Square and compass
anchor
coffin
skull & crossbones
triangle with 'lights'
Noah's ark
pentagram
ladder
Black and white floor
twin pillars and arch
Sun, moon, stars
Square and compass
anchor
coffin
skull & crossbones
triangle with 'lights'
Noah's ark
pentagram
ladder
For the occultic meaning of these shared symbols
click here
Co. Down
Spectator
Every year the Orange order
erects arches over main roads throughout Northern Ireland complete with symbols.
<
Click to enlarge
The Freemasonry spokesman says "We are not a secret society. We are
a society with secrets".
The Orange Order spokesman says "We are not a secret society. We
are a society with secrets".
"several of the ritual features of our order are Masonic..we have admitted
that..but conclude that Orangeism could be described as a Christianised or reformed
Freemasonry with the unscriptural bits cut out and the movement brought into line with
evangelical doctrine. A similar example could be the Reformed Catholicism of the
Anglicanchurches'. Page 25 The Orange Order - an evangelical perspective
(emphasis mine)
This is a like saying we conclude that Orangeism could be
described as a Christianised or reformed occultism with the unscriptural bits cut out and
the movement brought into line with evangelical doctrine.
In the Old Testament God says again and again that we are not to worship Him in the way
the pagans worship their gods. He will not accept reformed pagan worship because
the root is still pagan even if the branches seem not to be.
If it was not God's initiative in the first place then nothing can
be done to make God take it onboard. Whatever was started in
the flesh must be maintained in the flesh. In other words if
God is not the Author then He will not be the Finisher.
'Church' despite its innumerable failings over the centuries was
actually God's initiative and has continually needed renewal
reformation and revival. Freemasonry was never God's initiative
and therefore can never be repackaged (Christianised or reformed)
and suddenly become a divine vessel within God's Kingdom.
The Anglican Catholicism mentioned was always Christian in its direction and motivation
but doctrinally in need of being reformed, whereas freemasonry - as
it exists today, was shaped by men who were clearly well versed in
occultism.
'Many religions have a five pointed star. It means what you
want it to mean and nothing more. The all seeing eye is neutral,
it all depends what it means to you'
This is being spiritually naive. Although some
early Christians did use it for a while as a symbol of
Christ's 'five wounds' the truth is that
the pentagram is possibly the most recognisable occult
symbol in the world and the powers of darkness view it as an
invitation. This is why it is used by witches, satanists,
Freemasons and New Agers.. The all seeing eye -the eye of
God - although it was used occasionally by Christians when
set inside a triangle to represent the Trinty - has
overwhelmingly been used
in cult worship for thousands of years, and was even
used by Hitler. God says quite clearly that we are not to
study how the heathen worship their gods and worship Him the
same way. Deut. 12:20 - 32
A useful reference book would be 'Masonic and
Occult symbols illustrated' by Dr. Cathy Burns' (728
illustrations) ISBN 1-891117-12-2
Sadly the Orange Order's booklet
also suggests that Jesus' private meeting with the disciples in
the upper room - when the Passover was initiated - was a type for
the Orange Order meetings and that Jesus gave the disciples a coded
sentence (password) that would be recognised by the man who
owned the upper room thereby granting them entrance.
Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed
the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, "Where do You
want us to go and prepare, that You may eatthe the Passover?"
And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, "Go
into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of
water; follow him. Wherever he goes in, say to the master of the
house, ?The Teacher says, "Where is the guest room in
which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?"
Then he will show you a large upper room, furnished and
prepared; there make ready for us." So His disciples went
out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to
them; and they prepared the Passover. In the evening He came
with the twelve' Mark 14 : 12 -17
I don't believe this needs any comment
other than this is typical of Masonic authored books that have
been out for some time suggesting that Jesus was involved in
something secretive that is not readily seen on the surface of His
teachings. The 'Hiram Key' even suggests that Jesus was the
first Freemason.
'But we have no mysteries
or superstitious rites' - R.M.Sibbett, Orange historian
However, on the Royal Arch Purple
certificate - presented to every man who passes through the degree
initiation - are the words.. 'Admitted and Initiated into the
mysteries and secrets of the Royal Arch Purple degree'. The words
mysteries and secrets also appear on the
Royal Black Preceptory certificates.
One of Ireland's many history books records the following fact.
'On the 1st of July 1795, The Rev.Mr Monsell, a Protestant clergyman of Portadown invited his flock to celebrate the
anniversary of the battle of the Boyne by attending church, and he
preached such a sermon against the Catholics that his congregation
fell on every Catholic they met on the way home, beat them
cruelly, and finished the day by murdering two farmer's sons, who
were quietly at work in a bog'
- Mooney's History of Ireland
(1846),
page 876
The Orange Order's official book 'The formation of the Orange
order' completes the story with two more details on page 18. .
'Very few of the resident gentry of the Country joined us in
the first instance. Of those few were my old friend, Joseph Atkinson,Esq., already mentioned; the Revd. George
Maunsile,(sic Maunsell) (5) of Drumcree, afterwards
Dean of Leighlin..'
There appears to be much confusion over his name as the
footnote (5) on page 20 states..
'Maunsell' is the spelling in the
parish records. Aiken McClelland in his 'Formation of the Orange
Order' on page 11 spells it as 'Maunsel' and adds the footnote: 'Maunsel
was Rector of Drumcree 1781 - 1804'. Hereward Senior in his
'Orangeism in Ireland and England 1795-1836' (1966) page 20 has a
double error by stating: 'Rev George Marshall of Dromore'.
There can be little doubt that the Rev Monsell of Portadown in
1795 is the same Rev Maunsell who was Rector of Drumcree,
Portadown between 1781 and 1804 and one of the founding members of
the Orange Order.
This could explain the spiritual roots to the 'Drumcree crisis'
which suddenly erupted in 1995.
It was in July 1995, that the Orange parade
left the church after its annual service and was refused entrance to the nearby Catholic
housing estate on the Garvaghy Road area triggering off the ten
year
annual confrontation that typified the whole of the Northern
Ireland problem that is several hundred years old.
That this has come to a head in Portadown exactly 200 years to
the anniversary (i.e July 1795 -July 1995) is unlikely to be a coincidence.
I believe that the God of Justice is doing business with Northern Ireland.
Singing 'How great Thou art' in a sash has not moved God's
hand, nor will it.
He does business with those who are the peacemakers. With those
who deal in forgiveness. The proud He opposes but draws near to
those with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
In my twenties I joined the Orange Order. I was not a
Christian. No one was interested in whether I was or not. But I
belonged to the 'Protestant' tribe. That was enough.
'Cultural Christianity'
I did not join for any spiritual reason. The 'troubles'
were well under way and I wanted to be counted with my fellow
Protestants. It was natural cultural behaviour as I was
raised in a culture which impressed on me by words and attitudes
that we 'the Christians' - that is, someone born into a
Protestant family - were God's people
rightfully holding part of Ireland for God, and that the 'fenians'
the 'papists' the 'taigs' (that is Roman Catholics / Nationalists)
were an offence to, and the enemies of
God. I was certainly never encouraged to understand them let
alone love them! Many churches - by their flying of flags
during the Orange marching season - would unmistakeably declare
that the Kingdom of God, the State and the Orange Order were all
in the one ball of wax. Indeed I well remember the Protestant minister
who was driven out of the country for shaking the local priest's
hand one Christmas day. As a
little child my grandmother told me never to turn my back on a
Catholic or 'they would 'stab me in the back' (Praise God my
father and mother never put any of this culture into me).
People
told me of many atrocities that Catholics had committed on us
Protestants (though I was never told why they committed them,
or that we - the Protestants - had committed similar atrocities on
them). I was told that King Billy was the one who saved us from
their treachery and every year on the 12th July, the highlight of
the massive Orange Order parade that went past the front door of
my grandmother's house in Bangor, was
the appearance of a man dressed as King Billy on a white horse. As
schoolboys I remember a popular unofficial Orange marching song we
used to sing during the 12th July season...
We are, we are, we are the billy boys
We are, we
are, we are the billy boys
We'll kick the fenians up
the falls
And down ol' Sandy Row
For we are
the billy billy boys.
('billy boys' = King William of
Orange's boys)
However
middle class life was busy and good and I would never think much about
this great divide until I heard the politicians, ministers or
Orange Order leaders on television reminding me from the Orange
platforms every 12th July. Then strong passions would well
up within me.
'Cry havoc and let slip the dogs
of war'
The trigger for the present violence that
exploded on Northern Ireland in August 1969 was probably the earlier appearance of an Irish
Tricolour in a small shop window on the Catholic Falls Road. The
Rev Ian Paisley publicly drew this to the attention of the Police
(RUC) and when there were no steps being taken by the Police to
remove it, he organised a protest parade that would go there and
remove it. Realising that they were in a cleft stick the Police
went and smashed the window and took the flag out of the window
and that night riots started on the Nationalist Falls Road.
The dogs of war had been released and the rest is history, and
now, some thirty three years later one can see, not one, but hundreds of
Irish Tricolours flying unchallenged across Northern Ireland.
When the
troubles spread throughout the country and police and army were
being murdered it was proof to me that the Orange Order speakers
had been right to warn us about these Catholics and so it seemed natural to join
the Protestant Orange Order. I became part of the historical
problem
As I was working for the Belfast Telegraph I joined what was
known as 'The Press lodge' which prided itself on being well
turned out on the annual 12th march to the field. Complete
with new hat and white gloves I got to carry the sword next to the
banner the first year.
However the lodge meetings were dreadfully dull affairs for a
young man so I asked the man who introduced me to the Press
lodge if I could join something a bit more bite to it.
He came back some time later and told me to come to the main
Orange Hall at a certain time on a certain date. Everything was
arranged.
Outside the Lodge room I was made ready with what I now know to
be 'pauper's clothing' complete with hoodwink and bare left
breast. It was so unnerving been attired accordingly,
blindfolded and being led into the unknown that I cannot remember
most of what took place. I simply said what I was told to say when
I was asked a question.
However three things I will never forget.
At one stage I was burned on my left breast over my heart. When
the ritual was over I discovered that I had a five pointed star
burnt on to my chest. I could hardly believe that this had been
done to me without any warning. I thought that it was
permanent at the time but after a few weeks it faded
away.
I was asked to drink from a container that was pressed against
my lips, which I did.
I was led up some steps (still blindfolded) then spun round and
round until I was dizzy. Suddenly I was pushed and fell from a height.
I was aware of being caught in a blanket and then tossed up and
down several times. Still dazed, shaken and disorientated, the
blindfold was removed and someone stepped up to me and asked if I
would like to see what I had drunk out of, whereupon a human skull
was produced. I was absolutely horrified.
As I got my bearings
back slowly, I saw that I had been pushed off a stage, and on that
stage was the 'Worshipful Master' - a minister with a reasonably
high public profile both then and today. (A minister, who later resigned
from the ministry and went into politics)
Even though I was not a Christian I knew with all that was
within me that what I had just gone through was very wrong - I
knew that I had been ritually abused - and I
never ever, from that night onwards, had anything more to do with
the 'Orange'
Thirty years later, with understanding of occult ritual, I am
even more horrified at these 'shock of entrance' rituals. This
site is not the place to discuss how those in deep occult
activities use ritual shock and comfort for their evil intent, but
use it they do to gain spiritual access to and control over the
ones being ritually processed.
Now a committed Christian, I feel so ashamed that here in
Northern Ireland we are proud to have these ungodly activities
spiritualised by under girding them with stories from the Bible
and mixing them in with the Body of Christ.
Several years ago I approached a Roman Catholic priest and said
to him that almost certainly my family line had been part of the plantation
from Scotland which evicted Irish people off their land in order
that we might prosper. I said that I would not do it but must
identify with my forefathers who had done it. I asked him, on
behalf of the people he represented, if he would forgive me on
behalf of the family that I represent. This he very graciously
did. He then asked if I would forgive what the people he
represented did to us, and I said that I was
delighted to do so.
The priest understood that I was in no way coming into
agreement with any of the doctrines he held to, but that this was
a root forgiveness issue.
I am so grateful to God that He has opened doors to us and
then given us - a Northern Ireland based ministry - His favour in
Southern Ireland. We have had the honour of bringing pure Biblical
Christianity, bringing Jesus, to many spiritually hungry people
ranging from millionaire to itinerant. We have seen people grow
up into Jesus, knowing that He alone is the only Way to God the
Father, the only Name by which a person may be saved, the only One
whom the Spirit of God glorifies.
I openly declare that with a deep passion I love Jesus.
I ask any born again man these questions...
Could you see Jesus going through the degree
lectures and rituals? Marching
to the field on the 12th July? Wearing a
sash? Confronting the police?
If not, break free, and seek His forgiveness with a humble
heart.
Most of the above was first written in the late 90's and early 2000's when strife was rampant in Northern Ireland. The annual Drumcree event is no longer on the Orange calendar. The confrontations with police and army are now in the past. The Orange Order's influence began to wane, and then in 2005 its image reached rock bottom. Its numbers are now greatly reduced. Its stranglehold on Northern Ireland politics has been loosed, almost certainly, for ever.
The Orange Order probably reached
it's lowest point ever - in public relations terms -
during September 2005.
Despite the
Parades
Commission's refusal to permit the Orange Order to march
through part of the Catholic Whiterock area of Belfast, the
Orange Order leadership determined to break the law by
ignoring the ban. Belfast's Grand Master Dawson Baillie
called for supporters to come out on the streets in support
of their illegal march.
There could be little doubt about what he was asking for, and
loyalist thugs needed no further encouragement. Petrol bombs
were made and stored in wheelie bins, guns were brought out
of storage and the scene was set for one of the country's
worst weekends for many years.
The Chief Constable said that the Orange Order parade
that followed had "become illegal" and "fundamentally
breached" the Parades Commission's determination on several
counts.
Violent riots -
extreme even by Northern Ireland
standards - followed. Chief Constable Sir High Orde said
it was one of the most dangerous riot situations ever faced
by officers in the UK. He stated that the Orange Order bore
substantial responsibility for the rioting and the
"sustained and violent attack" on his officers. He
said that he had seen members of the Orange Order in
their sashes attacking his officers, and had seen them
standing next to masked men. Extensive
film footage confirmed this.
1000 police and 1000 army were deployed to deal with the
rioting. A total of 450 baton rounds and seven live rounds
were fired at rioters by the Police and Army. The serious
rioting
then spread to
other parts of the country the following day.
Grand Master Dawson Baillie said "I don't accept any
responsibility for calling people out on the streets to
assist us. I feel entirely blameless."
What aggravated matters was his attitude and
response to the riots given afterwards. Not only would he not condemn the
events that took place, but also he declared that no
Orangemen were involved in the rioting. As he was making
this statement television screens were showing exactly that
taking place. When challenged about a photograph of an
Orangeman holding a brick, his response was "he's not
holding it over his head".
This from an organisation that declares it is defending
'the faith'. With friends like this Christianity has no need
of enemies.
To cap it all - and almost the final humiliation - when he meant to say that the Order did
not condone violence he continually stated that the order
'condoned violence' If the matter was not so deadly
serious it could have
featured on a comedy show. It must rank as the worst PR
event in modern history.
Without doubt it was Orangeism's lowest point and wiser
heads recognised this.
In 2006 the annual Orange Order parades were being
marketed anew as 'Orangefest' with the stated view of it
becoming a tourist attraction and hopefully welcoming Roman
Catholics to the roadside as viewers. The government
approved a grant of
£100,000 towards this objective.
In 2007 the unbelievable happened when the DUP leader and
staunch Orangeman Ian
Paisley and Sinn Fein's Martin McGuiness agreed to
share power and they became Northern Irelands First and
Deputy First Ministers.
And in 2007 Orange leaders are, for the first time,
willing to talk to Garvaghy Road residents at Drumcree in
face to face talks.
A new era has been entered into.
The Orange Order's behaviour in the 1990 - 2005 period in
Northern Ireland achieved nothing for the Kingdom of God and
provided much fuel for its enemies.