1 every meeting of the Grand Lodge are submitted, after the meeting, by the 46 "no communication, written or printed, of the proceedings of the Grand Lodge be Rule 12.-The members of the late or present Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland are Proxies from masters of lodges and from dignitaries are admitted to the Grand Lodge meetings. Connexion of Irish and English Orange Lodges. The grand committee, consisting of thirty-six members, all of them being Grand Committee. grand officers of the institution, are appointed by the Imperial Grand Lodge, with Rule 18, App. 18. power in the Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master to add to their number; the duty of this committee is to watch over the affairs of the institution while the Imperial Grand Lodge is not sitting-to decide on all applications or appeals; and to exercise such other powers, conformable to the rules of the institution, as the exigencies of the different cases coming before them shall require. Five mem- Appendix, No. 18. of six retiring, but who are re-eligible. Lieut.-Colonel Fairman states, that the Q.444. on them for advice, meets to deliberate and advise, in the same manner as a The Deputy Grand Masters (') of counties, cities and boroughs, sending Deputy Grand of districts: And each Deputy Grand Master of a district convenes a meeting () () App. 18. R. 18. six months, or oftener, if necessary, to discuss the affairs of the Institution. 1359 to 1365. nances of the Your Committee call the attention of The House to the fact, that the rules Rules and Ordiand ordinances of the Loyal Orange Institution in Great Britain, and of the Loyal Orange InGrand Orange Lodge in Ireland, are nearly similar; the rules of the former having stitution. been first formed from those of the latter; (') the objects of both institutions are () 240-1, 251. also nearly analogous; the same signs and pass words (2) are used by the members (2) 893. Q. 35. of both institutions; members of lodges in Ireland are admitted into lodges of the Loyal Orange Institution in Great Britain, and also in the colonies, and vice versâ ; the systems of England and Ireland were assimilated in 1831-2;* and the new Grand Lodge Minute Book, 4 June 1832.-" For reasons at once satisfactory and obvious, the 755 new system of lectures, secret signs and pass-words, has of late years been adopted by all Orangemen in the United Kingdom, and in the colonies; and the Page 5 of Rules of ordinances declare that," its whole institution is one neighbourhood, within which 1834. Pass-words and Signs. Q. 564. Q. 576. Q. 693. Fees, Rule 41. Q. 451A Oaths. every Orangeman is at home in the farthest parts of the world." The system of signs and pass-words adopted by the Orange Institution in Ireland on its revival, 15th September 1828, was framed by the Deputy Grand Secretary of England, and is now in use in Great Britain and Ireland. The English Orange Institution originated from the Irish; and, in 1828 the Irish was revived from the English; and the same signs became common to both countries. All members must be balloted for, and (with the exception of soldiers and sailors who may be admitted without any charge), are required to pay to the Imperial Lodge for initiation, 3 s. each. Those who attain the Purple Order pay 2s. more. The annual contribution of not less than 2s. from each member is collected by the master of the lodge, who remits every half-year all monies he receives to the Deputy Grand Treasurer of the Imperial Lodge. Fees are paid by the grand officers, varying from £. 5, by the Right reverend the Prelate of the institution, to 5s. by masters of warrants. Much controversy has existed about the taking of oaths at the initiation of members. It has been distinctly proved to the Committee that every member admitted prior to 1821, took a particular oath, as appears by a copy of the rules and orders, printed in 1800, and delivered in by Mr. Chetwoode, as follows: OBLIGATION OF AN ORANGEMAN. I, A. B., do solemnly and sincerely swear, of my own free will and accord, that I will, to the utmost of my power, support and defend the present. King George the Third, his heirs and successors, so long as he and they support the Protestant ascendancy, the constitution and laws of these kingdoms, and that I will ever hold sacred the name of our glorious deliverer William the Third, Prince of Orange; and I do further swear, that I am not, nor ever was a Roman Catholic or Papist; that I was not, am not, nor ever will be an United Irishman ; and that I never took the oath of secresy to that or any other Treasonable Society; and I do further swear, in the presence of Almighty God, that I will always conceal, and never will reveal either part or parts of what is now to be privately communicated to me, until I shall be authorized so to do by the proper authorities of rhe Orange Institution; that I will neither write it nor indite it, stamp, stain or engrave it, nor cause it so to be done, on Paper, Parchment, Leaf, Bark, Stick, Stone, or any thing, so that it may be known; and I do further swear, that I have not, to my knowledge or belief, been proposed and rejected in, or expelled from any other Orange Lodge; and that I now become an Orangeman without fear, bribery or corruption. So help me God. His Royal Highness the DUKE OF YORK accepted the office of GRAND MASTER His Royal Highness of the Loyal Orange Institution in England, as appears by his letter of 3d Fethe Duke of York. bruary 1821;* but being informed soon afterwards that "the law officers of the "Crown and other eminent lawyers were decidedly of opinion that the Orange "Association, under the oath administered to their members, was illegal," he withdrew himself from the Association.† Sir, * COPY OF LETTER accepting the Appointment of GRAND MASTER. The Horse Guards, 8 February 1831. (signed) Frederick. + (Copy.) "Oatlands, 22d June 1821. "MY LORD.-The question put to the Marquis of Londonderry yesterday evening in the House of Commons by Sir John Newport, and the answer given by his lordship, place me under the necessity of making in writing that communication to your lordship which I wished to have deferred until I could have the pleasure of seeing you. Your lordship is perfectly aware of the grounds and principles upon which I accepted the Grand Mastership of the Orange Lodges in England, and that I then declined to act or officiate in that capacity. I have within these few days learnt that the law officers of the Crown and other eminent lawyers are decidedly of opinion that the Orange Associations, under the Oath administered to their members, are illegal. Under that circumstance, and from the moment that I had satisfied myself of the existence of this objection, it became my duty, as a subject of these realms, and more particularly in the station which I hold in them, to withdraw myself from an office and from an association of which I could no longer be a member without violating those laws which it has ever been my study to uphold and maintain. And I authorized Lord L. to state this in my name, in reply to the question which would be put to him. In his compliance with my request, his lordship appears so far to The Loyal Orange Institution under Lord Kenyon, the Deputy Grand Master Opinion of Counsel for England, submitted, in December 1821, a case for the opinion of Mr. Ser- as to the Orange jeant John Lens and other counsel, as to the legality of the Orange Institution, Institution. under the alterations proposed to be made in the rules and ordinances, leaving out the Orangeman's oath, but retaining the Oaths of Allegiance 1st William & Mary, c. 1. s. 8; Oath of Supremacy, 1st Anne, c. 22. s. 1; and of Abjuration, 6 Geo. 3, c. 53; retaining also secret signs and pass-words, and certain religious ceremonies at the initiation. The Committee refer to the case' and opinions thereon, and have to observe (1) Appendix, that the Orangeman's oath appears to have been, from that time, left out of the No. 12. rules and ordinances; and certain religious forms, as prescribed in the RITUAL, are stated to have been substituted, and to be now invariably used on initiation of members; besides the administration of the Oaths of Allegiance, Supremacy and Abjuration, which every one must also take. To evade the law the word Warrant was substituted for Lodge; the original Q. 700. form was to grant a warrant to hold a lodge in a particular house or place; and, by Warrant for Lodge. the alteration, it was given to the person to hold a lodge wheresoever he pleased. It has been a rule that Irish Warrants cannot be acted upon in England, or English warrants acted on in Ireland; and a new warrant is therefore given in exchange Q. 969. as a matter of course on application. It is particularly deserving of notice, that when the Grand Orange Lodge was Lodges in Ireland discontinued in Ireland, in the years 1825 to 1828, the Loyal Orange Institution in 1825 under the of England issued warrants, under which lodges were held in Ireland; and the objects and intentions of the law were thus frustrated. Loyal Orange In stitution. The effect of the religious ceremonies and forms has been to enforce, with the apparent obligation of an oath, secrecy on the members admitted; as the Deputy Grand Master of England and Wales, and all the Orangemen examined by the Committee, (with one exception) refused to communicate the secret signs and passwords of the institution; (1) and it appears that a disclosure of the system by (') Appendix, No. 2. a member would subject him to expulsion. The Committee are however of Grand Orange opinion that the object and effect of these religious ceremonies cannot be better Lodge comprehended than by reading the following extracts from the Ritual of the Purple Proceedings, Order. 16 Feb. 1832. "RITUAL of the INTRODUCTION to the PURPLE ORDER.* When a brother is to be introduced, the tyler shall first enter the room, after him two Rituals. Purplemen, then the two sponsors of the brother, each bearing a purple rod, decorated at its top with orange ribands, and between them the brother himself, carrying in both hands the Bible, with the book of the Orange Rules and Regulations placed thereon. On his entering the room, a chaplain, or in his absence, a brother appointed by the master, shall say "We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. Oven ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever; for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength." Isaiah, xxvi. 1, 2, 3, 4. The Master shall then say-Friend, what dost thou desire in this meeting of true Orangemen ? The Brother shall answer-Of my own free will and accord I desire admission into your loyal Association. Master.-Who will vouch for this friend, that he deserves such advancement, and that he is qualified to receive it according to our rules and regulations? [Then the Sponsors shall bow to the master, and signify the same, each saying- I, N. M. vouch for all these things.] Master. What do you carry in your hand? Brother.-The Word of GOD. Master. Under the assurance of these faithful Purplemen, we believe that you have also carried it in your heart. What is that other book? Brother. to have mistaken it, as to have given me credit for having actually made a communication to the Orange Lodges, which I merely stated my intention of making without loss of time, and which my absence from town had alone delayed. I have now to request that your lordship will do me the favour of conveying this intimation to the Orange Lodges of England, and that you will assure them of the regret I feel that the objections which have been urged have placed me under the imperious necessity of withdrawing myself from their association. "The Rt. hon. Lord Kenyon." "I am, my Lord, yours, "Frederick." Meeting of Grand Lodge, 25 March, 1822, Resolved, "That the respective Rituals for the recep- Minute-book, p. 50. tion and initiation of the Brethren into the Orange and the Purple Orders of the institution, which have been read to the Grand Lodge, be approved and adopted." Power of the Grand (1) Rule 1. p. 130. (*) Rule 2. p. 130. Appendix, No. 18. 850. Orange Lodges, how constituted. Itinerant Warrant. Brother.-The Book of our Rules and Regulations. Master. Under the like assurance, we trust that you have hitherto obeyed them in all lawful matters. Therefore, we gladly advance you into this order. Purplemen, bring to me our brother. [He shall then be brought by the two sponsors before the master, the tyler retiring to the door, and the two brothers standing one at each side of the centre of the table.] During this the Chaplain or Brother appointed shall say— "In that day shall THE BRANCH of the Lord be beautiful and glorious: and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent for them that are escaped out of Israel. And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and upon her assemblies a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all THE GLORY shall be a defence." Isaiah, iv. 3, 5. [The brother shall then kneel on his right knee, and the master shall invest him with a purple sash and such other decorations as may be convenient.] Then the Chaplain or Brother appointed shall say "Behold the stone which I have laid before Joshua. Upon one stone, shall be seven eyes: behold I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the Lord of Hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day." Zec. iii. 9. [Then the master shall communicate, or cause to be communicated unto the new Purpleman, the signs and pass-words of the order. And the Chaplain or Brother appointed shall say― "Seek Him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth. THE LORD is his name." Amos, v. 8. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches." Revelations, ii. 29. [After which the brethren shall make obeisance to the master, and take their seats; the certificate of the new Purpleman being first duly signed and registered.] Signed by order of the Grand Lodge, W. Blennerhassett Fairman, D. G. S. By the laws and ordinances of the Loyal Orange Institution, the Grand Master of the Empire is the chief and supreme head; his office is permanent (1) and uncontrolled; no particular functions or duties can be prescribed to him, as his powers (2) and authority are discretionary, illimitable and absolute; and, to him the honour and welfare of the institution are implicitly confided. It is declared in the report of the Grand Lodge on 13th February 1834, “That implicit obedience to the commands of the Grand Master, due subordination to "the Grand Lodge and the constituted authorities, and unreserved conformity to "the laws and ordinances of the institution, are duties imperative on Orangemen." HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS ERNEST AUGUSTUS DUKE OF CUMBERLAND, is now the Grand Master of the Empire; being equally the supreme head of the Loyal Orange Institution in Great Britain and of the Grand Orange Lodge in Dublin: thus connecting all the Orangemen in the United Kingdom and the Colonies. The same powers (3) are vested in the Deputy Grand Master, either by delegation from, or in the absence of, the Grand Master. His Grace the Duke of Gordon is Deputy Grand Master for Scotland, and Lord Kenyon Deputy Grand Master for England and Wales; and it is stated by the Grand Secretary, that Lord Kenyon," is probably better informed than any other man with the working "of the institution.' The Orange Lodges are held under warrants from the Grand Lodge of the institution, which are always signed by the Duke of Cumberland as Grand Master of the Empire; and are also generally signed by some of the Grand Officers of the Lodge; but his Royal Highness has also power to grant on his sole responsibility, and without any other signature, warrants to any person to constitute lodges, within, or without the kingdom. The itinerant warrant granted to Lieutenant-Colonel Fairman, the Deputy Grand Secretary, under which he made two tours of inspection in Great Britain; and the warrant for foreign countries, granted to Edward Nucella, esq., to hold and to establish lodges in Malta, Corfu and other places out of England, as he might think proper, have been laid before the Committee, and copies of them are hereafter annexcd, in proof of the exercise of the unlimited power of the Grand Master in matters respecting the spread of Orangeism. By that commission or itinerant warrant, dated the 13th of August, in the year 1832, the Duke of Cumberland, as Imperial Grand Master, by virtue of the authority vested in him by the code of laws and ordinances of the 30th March 1826, nominated nominated "his trusty, well beloved and right worshipful Brother, Lieutenant-colonel Fairman, Master of the Metropolitan Warrant, Member of the Grand Committee, Deputy Grand Master of London, Acting Deputy Grand Treasurer, and Deputy See Itinerant Grand Secretary of the institution, to make a visitation, or tour of inspection of the Warrant, Q. 755. kingdom; to perform, settle, and terminate every matter of business in anywise connected with the society or its affairs, or tending to promote its prosperity or welfare; with a dispensation and power to enable that dignitary and officer to communicate to the brotherhood the signs and pass-words of the new system; to teach the lectures in both Orange and Purple Orders; to open new lodges and to suspend, or expel, contumacious and refractory members, subject to a ratification of his proceedings by the Grand Lodge." Lieutenant-colonel Fairman, under the above authority, made two visitations, or tours of inspection of the kingdom, at the expense of the Grand Lodge, assembling and visiting the lodges at Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Manchester, Sheffield, Bolton, Wigan, Chowbent, Burnley, Bolton-le-Moors, Preston, Blackburn, Bury, Middleton, and other places. He visited the established Orange Lodges at those places, and in their neighbourhood; and exerted himself also to form new lodges wherever there was a prospect of success. At Edinburgh, and in other places in the west of Scotland, as stated elsewhere, he visited the old, and established some new lodges, thereby giving life and activity to Orangeism in that country. Lieutenant-colonel Fairman had the power and authority of initiating any person, when travelling in the country, or under certain circumstances, by virtue of the special commission; he has often initiated persons at his own house; he granted to private Wilson, of the 6th Dragoons, at Sheffield, a military warrant in the spring of 1834, which, he said, was the only warrant he ever had granted to a regiment. (Copy.) LOYAL ORANGE INSTITUTION OF GREAT BRITAIN. By His Royal Highness Prince Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, &c. &c. &c. the Grand Master of the Empire. ITINERANT WARRANT, or SPECIAL COMMISSION, to the DEPUTY GRAND SECRETARY, &c. 774. 780 to 791. 792. 344 347. 906. WHEREAS the Orange Association was founded in grateful remembrance of one of the Copy of itinerant most glorious achievements recorded on our historical annals, that is to say, our deliverance Warrant. from popery and arbitrary power, and the re-establishment of the Protestant religion and constitution within these realms by the means of King William the Third of pious and immortal memory: And whereas in perpetual commemoration of those blessings, and no less for the advancement of the civil, moral and spiritual benefits secured thereby than for the maintenance of the constitutional, political and sacred rights so happily bequeathed to us, the institution is still kept up with its pristine ardour, disclaiming at the same time all aggressive, hostile and intolerant aims or designs against a free enjoyment of religious opinion, and a full indulgence of unrestrained liberty of conscience: And whereas certain abuses have by degrees crept into the society, and serious differences have occasionally arisen in some of the provincial lodges and districts, which it is highly desirable should be adjusted, corrected and removed without further delay: And whereas circumstances have lately rendered it expedient and absolutely imperative to alter and assimilate the systems of England and of Ireland, as submitted to and confirmed by the Grand Lodge, holden in Portman-square, on the 4th day of June: And whereas to save the deputy grand masters of districts and masters of warrants the trouble, the expense and great inconvenience of repairing to London from all quarters to receive the new signs and pass-words, as likewise to be instructed and perfected in the lectures of both Orders, which it is requisite to have imparted and diffused throughout the country forthwith, the grand committee suggested, and the grand lodge have recognized the propriety of an experienced and intelligent dignitary being commissioned and directed to make a circuit of the kingdom for the purpose of promulgating the same to those warrants that shall have cleared off their arrears, and are not otherwise in contumacy or default, on the payment of such dues and fees as have been established and fixed for the several objects described herein: And whereas divers good and well-disposed subjects in various places distant from existing lodges have intimated a desire and signified an intention of joining the brotherhood, but who from having local duties to discharge, cannot seek admission into its fellowship remotely from home, without a neglect of their functions, to the prejudice of themselves or to the detriment of others: And whereas numerous letters have been perused by the grand committee, in which the writers express their approval of and their earnest wish for the projected tour to be undertaken, as notified in the two preceding circulars, for the cogent and valid reasons assigned therein, as a measure of sound policy, which would not only give universal satisfaction by creating fresh confidence, but would moreover be calculated to advance the best interests of the institution; BE IT KNOWN, therefore, that from a knowledge of his experience, and a confidence in his integrity, our trusty, well-beloved and right worshipful brother, Lieutenant-Colonel Fairman, master of the 605. |