The Faithful Tribe: An Intimate Portrait of the Loyal Institutions

‘While we shelter under the trees in the rain on the Twelfth with ham sandwiches and warm Guinness, they bring a caravan and drink champagne and eat canapés. One year they had shrubs outside. They only walk to the field. Never walk back. And they all wear bowler hats with an orange lily on the side of it. I don’t know how they’d survive in an ordinary lodge.’*

There are several business and professional lodges like that in Belfast. One was nicknamed the ‘Cripple Lodge’, because they couldn’t walk – being important chaps, most of them were speaking around the country on the Twelfth. Over the years there have been lodges for special interest groups from bakers to shipworkers to soldiers, but deindustrialization has reduced their numbers dramatically. In Belfast, many lodges would have a broadly working-class catchment area. But in most rural areas, lodges have almost always been cross-class, which is one of the reasons for keeping the dues low. James Molyneaux, ex-leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, joined his local lodge in Crumlin, County Antrim, in the late 1930s.

‘It was a watershed year for our little lodge when Colonel Pakenham, who was landed gentry and a member of the Senate, transferred from the toffs’ lodge in Belfast to ours and became Deputy Master. My father was the WM and we were bottom of the social tier as farmers. And I used to think it very odd that this great man who had been through all these battles and all that – and had been in command in Palestine – sat there deferring to the WM and ensuring that everyone else did the same. And as DM he would have gently reproved anyone who spoke out of turn without addressing the chair.

‘They decided to build a new hall and Pakenham offered to go on the organizing fundraising committee: he would bring aristocracy to events – people like Craigavon and the Marchioness of Charlemont on a couple of occasions. We were rubbing shoulders with all that. So you had the top drawer and the bottom drawer.

‘There were ten or twelve workers on the Pakenham estate. And if one was first committee man or something, the colonel would have turned around and said, ‘Brother Dalton, could I ask through the chair what’s your view on this particular matter?’ He wasn’t talking down: he was giving him his place.’

There are far fewer toffs these days, but in many little lodges throughout Northern Ireland there are still farmworkers sitting with prosperous farmers along with shop assistants, bakers, road-sweepers, clergymen and the local solicitor, doctor and teacher. I have also come across several accountants and financial advisers. This may be because in that line of work they particularly need a bit of mystery in their lives, or it may be because, as educated men, like the clergymen, they take a disproportionate number of the senior officerships.

For the routine part of the meeting, the Orange Order has rules and regulations to which officers and foot-soldiers must conform. But first, a run-down of the elected officers’ roles, as spelled out at their installing ceremonies. Private lodges are at the bottom of the Orange hierarchy; next come district lodges; then county grand lodges and at the top is the Grand Lodge.

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER is enjoined ‘to exert your authority to maintain sobriety and good conduct, to use your best endeavours to promote harmony, good fellowship, and social virtues among [the lodge’s] members, to observe strictly the laws and customs of the Institution, and to obey the orders of Superior Lodge authorities’. He is given a mallet ‘as the outward and visible sign of authority to rule this Lodge; this Holy Bible which contains the precepts whereby all men, particularly Orangemen, should govern and regulate their conduct and actions through life; this book of the Laws and Ordinances, whereby you are to govern and guide this Lodge; and lastly, this warrant, which is your authority from the Grand Lodge of Ireland, under which your meetings must be held’.

The DEPUTY MASTER is required to assist the Worshipful Master and to stand in for him when required. Both he and the Worshipful Master have to confirm that they have not been given their positions ‘for any private emoluments or advantage to yourself’.

The SECRETARY is required ‘to attend to the correspondence and other business of the Lodge, keep a faithful record of its proceedings, and make the necessary returns to the next Superior Lodge’. He must ‘keep regular, and preserve, the papers, books, seals, and other property of the Lodge entrusted to your care, having them at all times ready to produce or hand over to the proper or legal authorities, and that you will prepare and make all returns required by the Laws of the Institution or other proper authority’.

The TREASURER is required ‘to collect diligently all payments to be made, and accurately account for all monies which shall come into your hands on account of, or for the use of, the Lodge, and to submit an annual financial statement duly audited by those apointed by the Lodge’.

The CHAPLAIN (preferably a clergyman) promises ‘to discharge the duties of this office with due solemnity and decorum’. He is given ‘this most precious Holy Bible – the very Word of the great I AM – on which the principles of the Order are surely founded, and for the purity of which many saints died at the stake. Also this Ritual, which contains the prayers and a list of those portions of Holy Writ to be read at our meetings for edification and guidance of all.’ His attention is drawn to specific portions of scripture and prayers to be read at the initiation, ‘so that candidates entering our ancient and illustrious Order may know that they are being received into a Brotherhood whose profession of Faith, Hope and Love is well and surely founded’.

The LECTURERS instruct ‘candidates for initiation into our Loyal Institution and confer upon them the two Orders [Degrees] laid down by the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland’.

The CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE, ‘a brother of experience and sound judgment’, whose brethren ‘repose great confidence in him’, is the convenor. ‘Always act in your Lodge, or Committee, so as to merit the confidence reposed in you by the members’, which includes when required performing the duties of master and ‘in all cases which shall come before you in Committee to act with fidelity and impartiality, without favour, affection, or personal ill-will to any person.’

The OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE are required to show ‘sound judgment and strict impartiality between brother and brother … to discharge the duties of Master’ when required, and in cases coming before the committee ‘to act with fidelity and impartiality, without fear, affection, or personal dislike to any man’.

The TYLER guards the inside door ‘while the Lodge is sitting; to receive and announce members and visiting brethren; to see that none enter or pass without permission from the chair; and that all wear the colours to which they are entitled’. The ‘honour of the Institution should be your aim, and the safety of the portal of the Lodge room your ever constant care’. It is to the tyler that the password* has to be given. ‘We have a pompous idiot of a tyler in my lodge,’ observed one Orangeman. ‘He’s known me for twenty years, but when I turned up having forgotten the password, he wouldn’t let me in. I had to wait for someone else to arrive who told me what it was so I could solemnly tell it to the tyler.’

The first four officers are given a badge (a special collarette) and a sign of office (e.g. gavel, pen) and ushered to a special chair; the chaplain has a special chair too and is given a collar of office; the lecturers are given regalia; the chairman of committee is given a badge and the members of the committee a badge and sign of office; the tyler gets a badge and sign and is conducted to his post.

You start out as a member of a private lodge, and can then progress up through district and county to Grand Lodge. If you are one of those people who immerse themselves in the institution, you could hold four offices simultaneously, say as Worshipful Master of your private lodge, district secretary, county grand treasurer and deputy Grand Master.

There are very few Orangemen who don’t think the Order is top-heavy with chiefs, but that is part of the fun. It means that almost anyone can acquire a title which makes him a man of some consequence.

The official Order of Business at a lodge meeting is as follows:

1. The chair to be taken by the superior or senior officer present.

2. The deputy chair by the next in order.

Here is a typical ritualized exchange:

WORSHIPFUL MASTER: Bro. Deputy Master, what is the first duty of Bro. Orangemen when opening a Lodge?

DEPUTY MASTER: To see that the Lodge is Tyled, and that all present are in good standing and entitled to remain.

WORSHIPFUL MASTER: See the duty performed.

DEPUTY MASTER: Bro. Inside Tyler, see that the Lodge is Tyled.

3. A Tyler, or Tylers, to be appointed to keep the door.

4. A Steward, or Stewards, to preserve order.

5. The opening prayer to be read by the [clerical] Chaplain (if present), the brethren standing.

Gracious and Almighty God, Who in all ages hast shown Thy Almighty power in protecting righteous Sovereigns and States, we yield Thee hearty thanks for the merciful preservation of Thy true religion, hitherto, against the designs of its enemies.

We praise Thee for raising up for our deliverance from tyranny and arbitrary power, Thy servant, King William III, Prince of Orange; and we beseech Thee, for Thy honour and Thy Name’s sake, for ever to frustrate all the designs of wicked men against Thy holy religion, and not to suffer its enemies to triumph; defeat their counsels, abate their pride, assuage their malice, and confound their devices.

Deliver, we pray Thee, the members of the Church of Rome from error and false doctrine, and lead them to the truth of that Holy Word which is able to make them wise unto salvation. Grant, O Lord, that Thy Holy Spirit may guide and direct our deliberations, so that in all our words and works we may glorify Thy Holy Name.

We beseech Thee to bless every member of the Orange Institution with all Christian virtues. Bless us with brotherly love and loyalty. Take away everything that may hinder our godly union and concord, so that we may henceforth be of one heart and of one soul united in holy bonds of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may, with one mind and one mouth, glorify Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This is followed by the Lord’s Prayer.

6. A portion of Scripture to be read, the brethren standing.

7. Proceedings of last meeting to be read and confirmed.

8. General qualifications to be read.

9. Admission of candidates of last meeting.

10. Preliminary communications to be read or made.

11. Dues and payments to be collected.

12. Appeals relating to election to be heard and decided.

13. Election of officers.

14. Letters and other communications (if any) to be read.

15. Business arising out of either of the latter.

16. Election of candidates according to 2nd and 3rd Law.

17. Appeals (not against elections) to be heard and disposed of.

18. Reports from inferior Lodges to be heard and decided.

19. General business to be transacted.

20. Names of candidates for next meeting to be read.

21. The closing prayer to be read in the same manner as the opening one.

AT MEETINGS FOR ELECTIONS

NOTE: Articles 8, 9, 16 and 20 to be observed in Private Lodges only; Articles 12, 17 and 18 to be observed in all except Private Lodges. The others to be observed in all Lodges.

Here is the brief closing ceremony:

WORSHIPFUL MASTER: Deputy Master and brethren, stand to order and assist me to close this lodge.

CHAPLAIN: Almighty God, Who art a strong tower of defence unto Thy servants against the face of their enemies, we humbly beseech Thee of Thy mercy to deliver us from those great and imminent dangers by which we are now encompassed. O Lord, give us not up as a prey to our enemies, but continue to protect Thy true religion against the designs of those who seek to overthrow it, so that all the world may know that Thou art our Saviour and mighty Deliverer: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

WORSHIPFUL MASTER: Deputy Master and brethren, I declare this Lodge closed until our next regular meeting, except in case of emergency, of which members shall receive, under Seal, due and timely notice.

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN

CHAPLAIN: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with us all. Amen.

The rituals and ceremonies are comforting for many Orangemen; the business part of the meeting drives many of them mad. ‘Two hours of nonsense,’ reported one to me, ‘on when the spring-cleaning would be done, because of the complication of there being a children’s crèche in the lodge in the mornings. Everyone had a point of view. It was eventually decided to wait till Christmas when there wouldn’t be a crèche. But then there was a problem with the normal date of the annual service. There was much carry-on about which day and what time. It was eventually decided to leave the date as it was. Are these,’ he added, ‘the people that are supposed to hold the line when the whole place is going up in flames? If the Provies only knew.’

‘There’s no doubt about it that the meetings are boring for young people,’ said another. ‘What young fella of eighteen or nineteen years of age wants to go there on a Friday night? Some of the chairmen, they’re mebbe sixty or seventy and they’ve nowhere else to go and they’d like it to go on to half ten or eleven at night. I remember one particular night there wasn’t any business as such and the chairman got out the last three electricity bills to have a discussion. We could have read the minutes of the last one, had a ten-minute chat and gone home. I laughed that night.’

Most lodges try to achieve consensual agreement before anything is voted on, so everyone has a chance to get a word in. The more people who do, the more the issues become muddied.

‘Get the business over quickly,’ said a competent master. ‘Then tea-bags, sugar, boil the kettle, have a drop of tea. Bring a couple of packets of biscuits, a few buns, and sit around for an hour or so and have a yarn. That’s what makes a lodge, you know. A drop of tea and a bit of fellowship. It makes the night, you know.’

It wouldn’t do in the Shankill Road, where the alcohol would be brought out after the closing ceremony, but the principle is the same.

So, too, is the way the brethren look after each other. All the loyal institutions contribute to an organization helping orphans of Orangemen or women; when a brother or sister dies, their lodge will help out financially and practically and there will be help during bad times. There is also a strong sense of loyalty to the disabled. Family values being what they are in Northern Ireland, the mentally and physically handicapped are far more a part of their family and the community than in more modern and secular societies and there are Orangemen with mental and physical disabilities. Sandy Row, No. 5 District, for instance, is passionately proud of ‘Oor Wee Wullie’, William Bloomer, who joined a junior lodge in 1982, ‘when he began to play a full part in all the activities of his junior lodge, including football. Wor. Bro. Eddie Wright was worried that the other boys in the lodge would not be sufficiently considerate of Billy, but in the event, their willingness to carry Billy, with his wheelchair, upstairs to the lodge room and down again amazed him. When the lodge went on parade, the members took turns to push Billy along in his wheelchair without any prompting from the senior members.’

Billy Bloomer’s ambition was to be a lecturer, and although his training was interrupted by a serious operation, he gained his lecturer’s certificate in 1990. To mark the event, members of the class presented him with an inscribed ‘Spirit of ‘88 Bible which Billy carries proudly to church,’ continued the anonymous article in a Sandy Row Orange publication:

The real test for any lecturer occurs when he gives the lecture and address in his own private lodge for the first time.

Billy’s style and delivery so impressed the members of [LOL] 1064 they gave him a standing ovation. Not surprisingly, the lodge elected him to the office of First Lecturer, and Billy’s greatest pleasure is to take the floor and give instruction to new members of the Order.

The difficulties that William has overcome in his short life have been many, but the smiling face with which he greets his brethren helps to put one’s own problems into perspective …

‘Wee Wullie’ is looking forward to parading to the ‘field’ on the Twelfth for, as he says, ‘while others complain of sore feet, it’s just a pushover for me’.

To the eye of the 1990s, that might sound patronizing, but to William Bloomer and his brethren, it is simply an acknowledgement of the fellowship and the respect the Ulster Protestant feels for those who know how to endure suffering without bitterness.

The Royal Arch Purple and the Royal Black Preceptories

When you have been initiated as an Orangeman, you have taken the Orange degree. You then go through a similar test, usually within six months to a year, to acquire the Purple. The history and nature of degrees are of absorbing interest to many Orangemen and of very little interest to anyone else. They take their meaning of the word from the question of Isaiah in 2 Kings 20.9: ‘Shall the shadow go forth ten degrees or go back ten degrees?’ Degrees are therefore a measure of spiritual movement and are intended to deepen biblical knowledge.

Traditionally, there has been a difference between those who want to keep ritual to a minimum and those who thoroughly enjoy it. Some Orange leaders banned rituals and degrees borrowed from Freemasonry, but those had been greatly enjoyed by simple people who wanted some mystery in their lives. The Royal Arch Purple Order, which these days is tolerated by Grand Lodge, was founded to preserve an outlawed degree. It prides itself ‘on having a legitimate and historical claim to be the inheritors of the [Orange Order’s] original initiation rituals and ceremonies’. The Grand Black Chapter of the Royal Black Institution traces its origins back to the Knights Hospitallers and the Knights of Malta; it came into existence shortly after the Orange Order. Many people join because they feel it offers a spiritual dimension.

‘The Black would have to be more scriptural and more Bible-based, with Bible-teaching and that,’ said a Mourne Blackman. ‘Basically our Black meeting was like a gospel meeting. The leaders of the preceptory were all Christian fellows. The degrees would have been taught in that way. Degrees are really the drama of asking the questions behind the story. So that would occupy most of the time. My main reason for being in the institution was religious.’

‘I joined the Black because I liked the parade in Scarva,’ said one member. ‘It was very well disciplined and well controlled, with good bands, good music. And because I was told all along that the Black institution was actually the main institution that taught the biblical principles of the Protestant faith in the various degrees that you went through. And there was more scope for teaching within it and getting our own people to have a greater knowledge of what our faith is about. The Orange wouldn’t have that capacity.’

‘The Black is a very graceful, decorous, sedate organization,’ another Blackman explained. ‘The Grand Master is in his flowing robes and the Grand Black Chapter has a procession into the chapter room with the mace being borne in front of him.’

A mutual Orange friend who has never been attracted by the Black was listening keenly. ‘It’s a bit popish, isn’t it?’ he commented, not very seriously, but with some truth. ‘No, it’s ceremonial.’ ‘Popery. Sheer undiluted popery.’ ‘Listen to Oliver Cromwell,’ laughed the Blackman. And we fell into an absorbing discussion as to whether it was permissible to have a cross in a church and whether they thought Cromwell had been right to try to destroy all religious statuary.

Chapters of the Royal Arch Purple meet primarily to initiate Orangemen into the Royal Arch Purple degree in a ritual more elaborate than the Orange and the Purple and involving a lot of ‘travel’. Black preceptories offer ten elaborate degrees: Royal Black, Royal Scarlet, Royal Mark, Apron and Blue, Royal White, Royal Green, Royal Gold, Star and Garter, Crimson Arrow, Link and Chain, and Red Cross. Where Orangemen and members of the Royal Arch Purple call each other Brother (and write to each other as Bro.), Blackmen call each other Sir Knight. However outsiders may view all this, there is no doubting its importance to many of their members. ‘I gained great spiritual depth from going through the degrees,’ said one of my friends. ‘The ritual, the tests, the questions and answers, the drama, brought the Bible stories they were based on home to me. And the morals drawn were right.’

‘It depends on how you’re able to receive it,’ said a Black lecturer. ‘You only go a wee bit at a time. There’s a lesson in every degree and the greatest lesson that I can find from any of them is where the children of Israel on the other side of Jordan built the altar and then the bigger part of their brethren saw it and thought they were worshipping false gods. And they condemned their brethren.

‘And then they found out the truth – that they had built it to God and that their brethren were true Israelites, but that they had condemned them without one particle of evidence being produced. The lesson I learned I teach candidates is if you made up your mind, saying you’ve had a mouthful of this boy and you were just going to give him a hiding the night, just stop and think and don’t make a hasty judgment on him. Wait. And tomorrow when you waken you’ll have a different picture. I explain that to them.’

‘The acting out of Bible stories and the signs and emblems and all that are rather like mystery plays,’ points out an historically-minded Blackman. ‘They helped illiterate people like many of our early members to remember scriptural truths. When properly performed by a good lecturer, these stories and truths can leave an imprint. And the tradition remains a good one. Many of our people are not book-minded, but they like and can relate to imagery.’

The role of the lecturer is crucial. They are part of an oral tradition: they explain the stories, teach degree candidates their responses and play a crucial part in the ceremonies. It is because they believe that the degree system helps people lead a better life, that so many of them give up an enormous amount of their time to pass on the oral tradition to their brethren.

Read with imagination (and with the information on Arch Purple and Black emblems given in the next chapter), ‘The Black Man’s Dream’, a song written around 1795, gives a good indication of what is involved in the ‘travel’.

One night I thought a vision brought

Me to a spacious plain,

Whereon its centre stood a mount,

Whose top I wished to gain;

Orange, blue, and purple, too,

Were given me to wear,

And for to see the mystery

They did me thus prepare.

My guide a pack placed on my back –

With pillars of an arch –

A staff and scrip placed in my hand,

And thus I on did march;

Through desert lands I travelled o’er,

And the narrow road I trod,

Till something did obstruct my path

In the form of a toad.

So then I saw what did me awe,

Though wandering in a dream

A flaming bush, though unconsumed,

Before me did remain;

And as I stood out of the wood

I heard a heavenly sound,

Which made me cast my shoes away,