CELEBRATION OF THE 12th JULY AT CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1255, 15 July 1880, Page 2

CELEBRATION OF THE 12th JULY AT CAMBRIDGE.

The Cambridge Orango Lodge (" William Johnsou," No. 21), celebrated the anniversary ac the Publics Hall, Cambridge, on Monday, with a soiree and public meeting 1 . Great pains had been taken by the members of the Lwdge to make the affair pass off pleasantly, and they succeeded admirably. No attempt had been made at decoration, except that a beautifully worked motto, " God Save the Queen," in, the Orange colors, surmounted the stage and lent a pretty effect to the hall. It was the work of Bro. Robertshaw. There were altogether twelve tables laid with a varied and appetising display of viands, and presided over by Mademoiselles Wright, Reid, Houghton, Robertson, Johnston, Garland, Mynott, Brown, Rurcheon, Kingdon, and others. About 200 visitors sat down to the enjoyment of the good things, after which the tables were removed and the hall was cleared for the meeting. The members of the local Lodge, as well as several visiting brethren, numbering altogether upwards of 60, all wore the regalia of the Order. At 8 o'clock the Chaplain (the Rev. H. Bull) read the opening prayer and a portion of scripture, consisting of the 111 th Psalm. Mr 0. D. Mackintosh, Master of the Lodge, then explained that Major Wilson, who had consented to take the chair, had been called away on private business, and he had much pleasure m asking the Rev. Win. Evans to fill the post. Ihe Rev. Mr Evans, on taking the chair, regretted the absence of Major Wilson, and remarked that he supposed they had selected him (Mr Evans) to the post knowing that he was not an Orangeman. He did not know what he might become, however. He was a great admirer of civil and religious liberty. Every man, he held, had a right to his opinions and a light to give free expression to them, so long as this did not clash with the personal rights of others. After a few further remarks on this subject, the rev. Chairman said he was pleased to see such a large attendance, and he hoped that the proceedings of the evening wouM be at once a source of pleasure and profit to them. He then called up Mr Wright to read an address on the "Twelfth of July." Mr Wright, in commencing, deprecated the uttering of anything calculated to give pain to Roman Catholics, and stated that his object was solely to give expression to the views held by Orangemen in. connection with this celebration, the reasons why they commemorated it, and te relate certain historical events in connection therewith. He said Grangemen would continue to celebrate this anniversary until true liberty should be enjoyed in its truest sense by every British subject. He then proceeded to sketch briefly but lucidly the principal events of the 17th century, more particularly dwelling on those which had a bearing oa the Revolution of 1688. In England, Charles had secretly become a Papist and James had avowed himself one; licentiousness and infidelity reigned everywhere. When James succeeded to the throne ke declared himself ready to defend the Established Church, thereby gaining the confidence of his subjects. The subsequent acts of the King, by which the confidence was shaken, and the measures taken regarding the "Test Act" were referred to, as well as the campaign of the terrible Judge Jeffries. So great was the real of the King that the Pope felt called upon to warn him that by attempting too much, he would do harm to the Popish religion instead of good. Suffering fawn the extreme tyranny of the tarns tfi© people naturally turned their attention, to the Prince of Orange, with what result is known. Then followed a descriptioa of the battle of the Boyne and the other engagements, which effectually crushed the power of James in Ireland. From being a day sacred to the memory of Protestant Irishmen, the 12th of July had come to be an occasion of tb.3 deepest interest to Proteatants of all nationalities, as the day which crowned the triumphs of him who saved them from religious persecution and restored to them the liberties which had been trampled upon. Ireland had been slow to avail herself of these advantages, but the day was dawning wheyoin. all hey

people would rejoice with them. The address concluded by saying that there was every reason why they should commemor. ate an event so glorious as the day on which their ancestor" gained an earnest of their religious liberties. Mr. Moore sang " The Minstrel Boy, " in excellent; style, and Mas loudly enoored when he favored the auuience with a finished and pleasing- rendering of another sweet Irith ttfltady, "Believe me of all those EfhdMimg young Charms. " The Cvmbr^lge Reed Bind then cnntributel some selections in thoir accustomed happy manner. The Rsv. H. Bull then delivered a very interesting and graphio address on the subject of st William the Third, Prince of Orange. " The speaker commenced with an account of the illustrous prince's ancestors of the House of Nassau, and dwelt at some length upon the many grand traits in their character. He was particularly happy when speaking of that noble figure in history William the Silent. Passing on to the subject of hit) sketch the rev. gentleman described the early life of the Prince, his disadvantages of education, and his frail constitution. Following his career, through that period when he sought and gained the hand of the Princess Mary, an event which the people of England joyfully acknowledged The state of England, in which tyranny and servility were the leading characteristics was described, and the low morality of the times touched upon j the invitation of the people to William and his acceptance of it ; j his landing at Tor Bay j his triumphant progress to the capital whence the weak old monarch James fled in dismay; the Battle of the Boyne; the gallant defence of Londonderry , the the Bill of rights, the basis of their present freedom, and the freedom of the Press. Then ensued an examination of William's character as a Statesman, as a soldier and a man. Having regard to all these, the lecturer said the duties which devolved upon all the protestants were (1) to recognise the land of Divine Providence in these events, (2) to manifest gratitude to God and his servant William, and (3) to emulate the spirit of that great and good man. Mrs H. Fergusson then sang with grace and power the t harming balad "Seeing Nelly home," a portion of which, in response to unanimous encore had to be repeated. Messrs. Mackintosh and Camp contributed one of their usual effective cornet duets, and the Chairman then called on Mr Lambert to read an address on "Orangism, historically." Mr Lambert proceeded first to sketch the inception of the movement, which was under the auspices of those men who had signed the dispatch inviting William over; such men as Russell, Shrewsbury, Danby, Sidney, Compton, and the Bishop of London. The objects which the order then supported, upheld to the present day, and they were loyalty, truth and liberty ; in proof of which he read portions of the rules now in use. Towards the Catholic people they entertained none but the kindliest feelings ; it was their religion alone they disliked, and as long as they were loyal to the Queen and country they would find the Orangemen their friends. He reviewed in detail the objects which had been urged against Orangeibm, and contended it was not as some would have it, a secret society. Its proceedings were as freely open to the world as any so ciety's. It had been objected that Orangeismwas unnecessary, but he argued that it would cease only to be necessary when Rome had ceased plotting. After a reference to Orangism in the Australian Colonies, he concluded by exhorting all Orangemen to consider the holiness of their obligations, and to live up to the rules which bound them. Mr Whitehouse sang with ranch feeling "I cannot sing the old songs," to which succeeded the most effective item in the musical programme, "Cleansing fires." by Mrs Mackintosh, sung with great power and depth of feeling/ Mr C, D. Mackintosh then delivered a forcible and happily worded address on the subject of ' ' Oranism, prospecticely, its scope and aims." He commenced by saying that there were many things which might be considered unplesant, but which were nevertheless true. Of such were his opinions, and he was not ashamed of them, but was prepared to defend. The number of Orangemen in the world " sworn to defend the right," was givn and a reference made to tho stride of Orangism in the colony of New South Wale.*. He claimed for Ocaugism that its mit-sion was the consolidation of an undenominational system of education, and the defence of this sy&tera against its enemies. He claimed for it tint it waa a platform on which all protestauts could meet ; that it fought the political fight of protestantism against the baptist. The protestant church he said was like a bundle of sticks, the Roman Catholics could take them one at a time and break them but that they were bound by Orangism. It was a glorious work in which they were engaged and he would like to see all the religious sects, bound together in unity Roman Catholcs hated the order because of its political power. Some sects of Protestants hated it too and why ? Because Orangism formed the Protestant police as well as its army and would not blink sham Romanism commonly called Ritualism. The address abounded with illustrations more or Ie c s happy arid w>aB listened to with marked attention jajpd interest. The Cnalriuan read congratulatory telegrams from the L9dges at Auckland the Thames, and Hamilton. The usual votes of thanks, to the ladies for presiding ; the band, and the chairman, were passed by acclamation and the benediction having been pronounced by the chaplain those present dispersed.