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Archiver > CAN-ORANGE > 1999-12 > 0944080616


From: "Brian McConnell" <>
Subject: A Good Protestant (Part 1)
Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 16:36:56 -0400


The following article appears in three parts, part one below and the
other two to follow, was published in the October, 1975 issue of the
Sentinel and first appeared in the Sentinel in June, 1965. It was
written by Reverend W.G. Wylie.

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A GOOD PROTESTANT (Part 1)

The name "Orange" comes from William III, Prince of Orange. He was
invited by a coalition of parties to take over the British throne.
Accepting the invitation he landed in Torbay, England, on November 5,
1688. One week later there was set up in Exeter Cathedral what was
known as the Orange Confederacy.

William received his main support from a group of Protestants who
stood for the preservation of English liberties, and the Protestant
religion.

Every year Orangemen commemorate the Battle at the River Boyne in
Ireland on July 12, 1690, when William III decisively defeated the
attempt of Jame II to foist Roman Catholic domination upon England.

A good many think that the Orange Order started then and there. This
is not quite true. The first Orange Lodge, as we know Orange Lodges,
came into being September 21, 1795, in Loughgall, County Armagh.
Seeds were sown at the Boyne, but it took a century for them to sprout
and grow.

There was great tension in the British Isles after the Boyne battle.
Houses were burned, property was destroyed. Many did not feel safe,
even in their own homes.

In Ireland the tension was particularly acute. The Roman Catholics
there bitterly hated the wealthier landlords who were mainly
Protestants and represented British authority. As the years passed
Roman Catholic hatred grew. This brought Protestants together in one
common cause.

Once established, the Orange Order grew very rapidly. In 1798 it had
a Grand Master and a Grand Secretary. Ulster was its stronghold. In
1808 it extended to England, with its headquarters at Manchester. In
1821 the seat of the Grand Lodge at Manchester was transferred to
London. In 1827 a royal English duke, the Duke of Cumberland, was
made Grand Master of all England. The following year he was made
Imperial Grand Master. This, naturally, gave the Order new prestige.

A movement, therefore, largely of peasant origin, in a little more
than thirty years rose to a place of such royal dignity.

The Orange Society soon became introduced into the Army which spread
it far and wide. This gave the Orange Order an excellent chance to
extend.

An Orangeman in the Army in those days had to be at least eighteen
years of age. He had to be an avowed Protestant. He must also sign a
pledge stating that he would do all in his power to maintain the
heritage of his Protestant faith and the dignity of the British
Empire.

Patriotism, we see, and Protestantism, were inseparably joined
together. No less are they united today.

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