INAUGURATION OF TYRONE CONSTITUTION, L. 0. L., No. 29, TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1139, 14 October 1879, Page 2

INAUGURATION OF TYRONE CONSTITUTION, L. 0. L., No. 29, TE AWAMUTU.

Tan above Lodge was opened in tho Wesleyan Chapel, here, on Wednesday evening, by the Right Worshipful Grand Master of the Orange Institution of New Zealand, Brother Henry Barton ; the Deputy-Grand Master, Brother John Rnox, and tho Grand Chaplin, Brother Rev. Dunn. v number of tbe brethren from Lodges 9, 17 and 21 were present. The splendid banner of the Newmarket True Blues was kindly lent for the occasion, and was much admired by the brethren and friends present. After the opening of Lodge ancl Installation of Officers, a number of candidates were initiated, and many who had been proposed, were unable to attend. The ceremonies of initiation and opening were conducted very impressively, as befitting tho importance of the Institution. The Lodge was closed at 7 o'clock, and the brethren adjourned to the residence of Brother .P. Judkins, where an excellent tea was provided, t® which about forty brethren sat down. At 8 o'clock, the bell of the i .hapel rang for the assembly of brethren and friends, to hear lectures Oil the principles of the Orange Institution, by the R.W.G. W., H. Barton ; the -rand Chaplain, Rev. Dunu, and tho < 7h-iplain of i -ambridge L^dge, No. 2 1, the Bev. H. Bull. Brother Knox, D.G M., was voted to the Chair, and said, he had much pleasure in introducing to the brethren and Protestants assembled, the Right Wcshipful Grandmaster of the Orange Institution of New Zealand, Brother leury Barton, who would explain to them the priuci pies of the Orange Institution. Mr Barton came forward, and was received with applause. His explanation of the principles was lucid and effective, and will, probably, prove detrimental to tbe prejudices which many entertain against OrangeLsm. He had heard it said that the Orange Society is not necessary iu a new country like this, hut that was a great mistake, as the >ppo ition of tho priesthood to the secular system of education in these colonies, 'hews thafc Rome is still encroaching upon our liberties and endeavouring to subvert fche laws and Constitution of our realm. Not that Rome values education as we do, for, with Rome, ignorance has ever been the mother of devotion, but sha is afraid of the excellent education provided at tho public schools, ifc being a notable faot that the better educated Catholics are the more tolerant and liberal in their principles and conduct, care less for the priest, and are only kept from becoming converts fco the Protestant faith by tics of family, ■he terrors of the Inquisitorial system of the priesthood, or want of moral courage to endure the open and covert persecutions which would follow. The lecturer said the Orange Insfcitufcii m was a politicoreligious organisation, and its object was fche conservation of rights obtained for chem, in many a. hard fought battle, by their fathers. Aud, as in the early days, the Orange Institution was established to maintain rights purchased with their fathers' blood ; so still was ifc a standing protest against those errors of popery which had always characterised that system. Mr Bartr.-n then commented on r.he conduct of Father Henneberry, remarking that his speeches had done much fco add to the progres and favor of Orangeism in Auckland and elsewhere. He also spoke ©f the treatment which Pastor Chiniquy hud received in Australia, where several attempts wore made upon his life, and wliich fee said was only another instance thafc Rome was ever ready to enact again the persecutions o k the reign of Q,ueen Mary. He concluded his lecture by reminding the brethren that they had a noble mission to fulfill, a great and good cause to champion, and a noble end to attain— as members of the Loyal Orango Institution. The Grand Chaplain (Brother Rev. Dunn) then followed. He said that Orangeism was not an organisation that aimed, at stirring up strife, nor did ifc, as some averred, seek to perpetuate enemities among a community mixed as this was !+■ had a strife, not with individuals, but with a system. The strife was against afcholicism, and not against its adherents It was their duty, as Oraugemen, to resist the machinations of Romanism, but, at the same time. "they should cherish feelings of pity, and not malice, towards its upholders. The aim of true rangeism should be to conserve these liberties, which were thn right of all alike. Orangeism, he considered, to be Protestantism organised ; and hoped the day was not far distant when all who profess the Protestant religion, will eiirpll the -uselvps under fche orauge hannoi*, which hud secured for them an open bible and a true religion. The lecturer is an ablo and fluent speaker, aud was loudly applauded for his eloquent address, which was interspersed with anecdotes of a humourous and pleasing character. Tho Rev. Brother Bull was no.xt called upon to address the meeting. He said he was a young Orangeman, but ho was satisfied that Orangeism was founded upon Christian principles, its object being to secure the fullest liberty of conscience to all men ali e. Ho had no fear for the opposition which Christianity had to contend against ; as, without opposition, thero was no progress, the more ifc was opposed, the more it would grow. Ho had heard people say that urangeism should be allowed to die out ; that it is the evidence of a desire to irritate fche feelings oi' Roman Catholics, but they forget that the Protestant religion must die with it and that there were no Orangemen to irritate oman Catholic feelings when the fires of Smithfiold were kindled, .and our Protestant forefathers-burned at the stake for professing the faith which we cherish, and uphold. Brother Bull was warmly applauded, artd the proceedings were brought to a close by the singing of the "National Anthem," aud a hearty vote of thanks to the lecturers, and to Miss Bridgman, who kindly presided at the harmonium.—COMMUNICATED.