Enormous Strength Of The Orange Order

What a wonderful organisation the Orange Order is and what marvellous potential it has to be a real force for Protestantism in a society so morally sick and bankrupt in many ways.

Many of the mainstream Protestant churches in the United Kingdom give the appearance of having lost their way, and in compromising their principles and, more importantly, the traditional message of the gospels, they have alienated many Christians and succeeded in emptying the pews in many cases.

Ecumenism has emasculated many Protestant churches and left them open to the inroads being made by Rome, while the 'trendy' forms of worship introduced in some churches have failed to attract the younger people it is mainly aimed at and caused despair in the ranks of devoted Christians who are repelled by so-called modern trends.

It is surely significant that it is evangelical churches in Britain who preach the traditional message of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ who are prospering. In contrast to the empty pews and neglected appearance of many mainstream churches, these evangelical churches are booming with capacity congregations.

That's where the Orange Order can play a noble part in creating the atmosphere for a religious revival - but only if individual brethren have the missionary zeal to carry the message into the highways and byways.

Many brethren bemoan the fact that things are not what they were say 40 or 50 years ago in the Order. They talk about full Lodge rooms, with up to 50 brethren at Lodge meetings, and huge numbers on parade. But what do they do about it? All they are asked to do is to leave the comfort of their firesides on a dozen nights in the year to support the Worshipful Master and the other officers. Apart from that they are only asked to parade on the July 12 and to the annual divine service of worship.

Yet, many brethren find that too much and prefer to watch football on television or other pursuits, and at the same time grumble because the Lodge or Preceptory is not what it used to be.

But things are happening in the Orange Order and the Royal Black Institution and more and more brethren are rejecting the counter attractions to rekindle their interest in the Loyal Orders.

They are finding that the great fellowship experienced through membership is something to be treasured.

And in an age of compromise they are finding that the Orange Order and its great sister organisation the Royal Black Institution remain rock firm for the truth.

The Orange Order is on the move again and brethren are finding ways of making meetings and other activities more attractive. Meetings now include special speakers, topics for discussion, quizzes, and exchange visits with Lodges in other Districts, perhaps in Cavan and Monaghan.

In the summer there are bus trips to the seaside, to Fermanagh and other places, barbecues and walks.

And the Orange Order is making an icreasing impact when it comes to helping worthy causes and supporting community activities of the right type. Lift your local newspaper in most towns in Northern Ireland and you will find photographs of Orange Lodges - and Junior Lodges - making presentations to a whole range of worthy causes.

And please brethren, remember that parades, while important in the affairs of Orangeism, are not the be all and end all - not by a long chalk. Of course, we have to stand up for our traditional parade routes and not be bullied into forsaking the right to walk these peacefully and giving no offence to anyone.

But let's not be drawn into a cul-de-sac and allow our concentration on parades to distract us from the vital tasks which need to be done in so many other aspects of the Orange Order.

Our enemies would be happy to see the Orange Order expend its energy, its resources and its man power on parading controversies, to the exclusion of all other things.

Let's deny them that opportunity. Support the right of districts to walk their traditional route - in a lawful, peaceful and dignified way at all times - but do not neglect attendance at Lodge meetings our take our eyes off the larger picture. The Orange Order has been the bulwark of Protestantism in Ireland for over 200 years, and the backbone of Northern Ireland for 80 years. It must not be weakened or sidelined by allowing itself to become a one-issue organisation, however important that issue might be.

And above all, brethren must remember at all times that they are members of a Christian organisation and their conduct at all times must reflect their allegiance to Christ and His teachings. They must not be sucked into a secular or materialistic form of Protestantism in which the Bible and God's Word are disregarded and ignored.

If anyone doubts this, then they should read once again the qualifications of an Orangeman or recall the vows and the solemn pledges made when being admitted into membership of the Order. This would remove any doubts.

Many of the mainstream Protestant churches in the United Kingdom give the appearance of having lost their way, and in compromising their principles and, more importantly, the traditional message of the gospels, they have alienated many Christians and succeeded in emptying the pews in many cases.

Ecumenism has emasculated many Protestant churches and left them open to the inroads being made by Rome, while the 'trendy' forms of worship introduced in some churches have failed to attract the younger people it is mainly aimed at and caused despair in the ranks of devoted Christians who are repelled by so-called modern trends.

It is surely significant that it is evangelical churches in Britain who preach the traditional message of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ who are prospering. In contrast to the empty pews and neglected appearance of many mainstream churches, these evangelical churches are booming with capacity congregations.

That's where the Orange Order can play a noble part in creating the atmosphere for a religious revival - but only if individual brethren have the missionary zeal to carry the message into the highways and byways.

Many brethren bemoan the fact that things are not what they were say 40 or 50 years ago in the Order. They talk about full Lodge rooms, with up to 50 brethren at Lodge meetings, and huge numbers on parade. But what do they do about it? All they are asked to do is to leave the comfort of their firesides on a dozen nights in the year to support the Worshipful Master and the other officers. Apart from that they are only asked to parade on the July 12 and to the annual divine service of worship.

Yet, many brethren find that too much and prefer to watch football on television or other pursuits, and at the same time grumble because the Lodge or Preceptory is not what it used to be.

But things are happening in the Orange Order and the Royal Black Institution and more and more brethren are rejecting the counter attractions to rekindle their interest in the Loyal Orders.

They are finding that the great fellowship experienced through membership is something to be treasured.

And in an age of compromise they are finding that the Orange Order and its great sister organisation the Royal Black Institution remain rock firm for the truth.

The Orange Order is on the move again and brethren are finding ways of making meetings and other activities more attractive. Meetings now include special speakers, topics for discussion, quizzes, and exchange visits with Lodges in other Districts, perhaps in Cavan and Monaghan.

In the summer there are bus trips to the seaside, to Fermanagh and other places, barbecues and walks.

And the Orange Order is making an icreasing impact when it comes to helping worthy causes and supporting community activities of the right type. Lift your local newspaper in most towns in Northern Ireland and you will find photographs of Orange Lodges - and Junior Lodges - making presentations to a whole range of worthy causes.

And please brethren, remember that parades, while important in the affairs of Orangeism, are not the be all and end all - not by a long chalk. Of course, we have to stand up for our traditional parade routes and not be bullied into forsaking the right to walk these peacefully and giving no offence to anyone.

But let's not be drawn into a cul-de-sac and allow our concentration on parades to distract us from the vital tasks which need to be done in so many other aspects of the Orange Order.

Our enemies would be happy to see the Orange Order expend its energy, its resources and its man power on parading controversies, to the exclusion of all other things.

Let's deny them that opportunity. Support the right of districts to walk their traditional route - in a lawful, peaceful and dignified way at all times - but do not neglect attendance at Lodge meetings our take our eyes off the larger picture. The Orange Order has been the bulwark of Protestantism in Ireland for over 200 years, and the backbone of Northern Ireland for 80 years. It must not be weakened or sidelined by allowing itself to become a one-issue organisation, however important that issue might be.

And above all, brethren must remember at all times that they are members of a Christian organisation and their conduct at all times must reflect their allegiance to Christ and His teachings. They must not be sucked into a secular or materialistic form of Protestantism in which the Bible and God's Word are disregarded and ignored.

If anyone doubts this, then they should read once again the qualifications of an Orangeman or recall the vows and the solemn pledges made when being admitted into membership of the Order. This would remove any doubts.