Orange Degree

Orange Degree
Loyal Orange Association

This ritual is used in the Loyal Orange Association of British America, 1926

All business connected with the affairs of the Association shall be transacted in open Lodge, guarded by a Sentinel and Tyler, and five members of a Primary Lodge shall form a quorum.
The altar shall be draped with the Union Jack, and the Holy Bible placed thereon.
The Sentinel and Tyler shall be examined by the Master before taking their places, to see if they are properly qualified to report on those applying for admission.
The Sentinel shall guard the approach to the Lodge; allow only properly qualified brethren to enter; and report anyone without the Annual to the Tyler.
The Tyler shall guard the entrance to the Lodge from the inside, and permit only qualified brethren to enter (unannounced). Those not having the proper qualifications he shall announce to the Deputy Master by giving their names and the number of the Lodge to which they belong, and obtain the necessary permission before admitting them. He shall keep the door of. the Lodge closed during the opening and closing ceremonies, the reading of the Minutes, the repetition of the Lecture, and the taking of a vote. He shall not permit any brother to leave the Lodge who is not in possession of the retiring password.
After the Master has declared the Lodge open, no brother shall be admitted without giving the Annual to the Sentinel, and the Pass to the Tyler, unless properly vouched for.
The chair having been taken by the Master, and the officers and members being in their seats, all the officers and brethren (except the Master, Tyler and Sentinel), shall be tested in the Annual and Pass by the Marshal and Lecturer, who shall report the result of their examination to the Deputy Master.
The Deputy Master shall then rise and say: Worshipful Master, all members present are in possession of the Orange Annual and Pass of this degree.
If any brother be present who has not the Annual and Pass, the Deputy Master shall add: Except Bro. ….
MASTER: Who can vouch for Bro. …, that he is in good standing in the Orange Association?
Note.—A member without the Annual must be vouched for by a member of the lodge to which he belongs, or in the event of no member of his lodge being present, he must produce a receipt for dues showing that he is in good standing, and must also pass an examination in the work of the degrees.

Prayer

The Master shall give three knocks: The brethren shall rise, assume the proper position, and the Chaplain shall then say: Almighty God and Heavenly Father, who of Thy gracious providence and tender mercy towards us, didst wonderfully conduct Thy servant, King William, and bring him safely through many difficulties, to preserve us from the attempts of our enemies to bereave us of our religion and laws, we humbly praise and magnify Thy most glorious name for Thy unspeakable goodness towards us, expressed in this act of Thy mercy. Be Thou still out Mighty Protector, and scatter our enemies that delight in blood: infatuate and defeat their counsels, abate their pride, assuage their malice, and confound their devices. Strengthen the hands of our present gracious Sovereign, and all that are put in authority under him, with judgment and justice to cut off all such workers of iniquity as turn religion into rebellion and faith into faction; that they may never prevail against us, or triumph in the ruin of Thy church amongst us; but that our gracious Sovereign, and his realms, being preserved in Thy true religion, and by Thy merciful goodness protected in the same, we may all duly serve Thee, and give Thee thanks in Thy holy congregation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
All the brethren shall then repeat the Lord’s Prayer, as follows:
CHAPLAIN AND BRETHREN: Our Father which art in Heaven; hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil; for Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Chaplain shall then advance to the altar, open the Holy Bible, and read a portion of Scripture, after which he shall return to his station and the Master shall say: I now declare this Loyal Orange Lodge No. …, open in due form. God Save the King.
The Order of Business, as fixed by the Constitution and Laws, shall then be observed in conducting the. business of Primary Orange Lodge.

Admission

On the admission of Candidates, the following form shall be used:
The Candidate being in attendance, the Worshipful Master shall direct the Lecturer and the Marshal, or two other brethren, to proceed to the ante-room and make the necessary preparations; which having been completed, they shall return to the lodge room door with the Candidate; and the Tyler having announced their return, and it having been ascertained that the necessary fee has been paid, the Worshipful Master shall rise and say: Brethren, Is it your pleasure that Mr. … be now admitted to membership in this Lodge?
Having received the necessary permission from the members, the Master shall direct the Tyler to open the door and admit the Candidate and his Conductors, who shall accompany him into the lodge room, bearing wands decorated with the color of the Degree, and the brethren shall rise and remain standing.
The Recording Secretary shall then say: Worshipful Master, introduced by Brothers ... and ..., Mr. … is now present before you and the members of this Lodge, seeking admission into the Orange Association.
MASTER: Friend, is it of your own free will that you seek admission into the Orange Association?
The Candidate, with his Conductors standing immediately in front of the chair of the Deputy Master, and facing the Worshipful Master, shall answer: It is.
CHAPLAIN: Brethren It is written: “In everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.” Let us pray.
The Master shall then give two knocks and the brethren shall kneel in prayer.
CHAPLAIN: Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with Thy most gracious favor, and further us with Thy continual help; that in all our works, begun, continued and ended in Thee, we may glorify Thy Holy Name. And, finally, by Thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer shall then be repeated by the Chaplain and the brethren, after which the Master shall give three knocks, when the brethren shall rise and remain standing while the following hymn is sung:
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
Looking unto Jesus, who is gone before!
Christ, the Royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go.
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
Looking unto Jesus, who is gone before!

Like a mighty army, moves the Church of God:
Brothers, we are trending where the saints have trod;
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity,
Onward, Christian soldiers, etc.

Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the Church of Jesus constant will remain;
Gates of hell can never ‘gainst that Church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise, which can never fail.
Onward, Christian soldiers, etc.
One rap shall then he given, and the brethren will be seated, after which the Worshipful Master shall address the Conductors of the Candidate as follows: Do you, brethren, answer for this friend, that he is of good report, a true and faithful Protestant, and a loyal subject of the King?
The Conductors, bowing to the Master, shall say: We do.
The Master shall further address the Conductors and say: Brethren, have you duly considered the responsibility you have undertaken to the Orange Association, and to this Lodge in particular, in thus becoming sureties to us for this friend?
CONDUCTORS: We have.
MASTER: And do you believe that he has been informed of the duties required of all true Orangemen, as fully set forth in the Constitution and Laws?
CONDUCTORS: We do.
The Master shall then proceed solemnly to examine the Candidates as follows: Friend, Assured by these brethren that you have been fully informed of the duties required of all true Orangemen; and being assured further, that you are of good report, a true and faithful Protestant, and a loyal subject of the King, I now desire for the further satisfaction of myself and the brethren present, to receive from your own lips distinct answers to the following enquiries:
MASTER: Do you promise to support the Protestant religion and earnestly strive to propagate its doctrines and precepts; will you endeavor yourself, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to walk in public and in private consistently with this profession; and will you, to the utmost of your power, make your public and private acts harmonize with the principles of the Orange Association?
CANDIDATE: I do promise, and with God’s assistance, will endeavor to do so.
CHAPLAIN: In vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. But continue thou in the things which thou hast been assured of, knowing that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves. Let all things be done with charity.
Then the Deputy Master, coming forward, shall place in the hands of the Candidate a copy of the Holy Scripture, saying: We place in your hands a copy of the Word of God.
CHAPLAIN: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Search the scriptures. These things are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that relieving ye might have life through His name.
The Master shall then address the Candidate as follows: Bear always in mind, therefore, that a true Orangeman should honor and diligently read the Holy Scriptures, and make them the sole rule of his faith and practice; that, consequently, he should have a sincere love and veneration for his Heavenly Father; an humble and steadfast faith in Jesus Christ, the Saviour of mankind, the only Mediator between God and man; and also, that he should possess a firm reliance in the guiding, witnessing and sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. Let me further exhort you ever to bear in mind that a true Orangeman should reverently observe the Lord’s Day, attend the public worship of God, and carefully train up his offspring and all under his control in the fear of God, and in the Protestant faith; that he should not take the name of God in vain; but, abstaining himself from swearing and profane language, use every opportunity of discouraging such like sinful practices in others. His conduct should be marked by prudence, honesty, temperance, and sobriety. He should cultivate truth and justice, devotion and piety, kindness and charity, concord and unity, and obedience to the laws. In a word, the glory of God, the welfare of man, the honor of his sovereign, and the good of his country should be the motives of his action.
Then the Deputy Master, coming forward, shall place in the hands of the Candidate a copy of the Constitution, saying: We now place in your hands a copy of the Constitution and Laws of the Orange Association. We trust you will study them well, and obey them in all lawful matters. And now, having confidence, from the assurances given to us, that you will well and truly discharge the several duties therein enjoined, God being your helper, we gladly receive you into our Association.
The Candidate shall then be brought to the altar.
The Chaplain shall then say: ”Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities; against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore, take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day.”
The Worshipful Master shall give three raps and advance to the altar. The brethren shall rise and come to the sign of Fidelity. The Candidate shall kneel, place his left hand on the open Bible, his right hand over his heart, and say “I,” give his name in full, and repeat the following obligation:

Obligation

I, ..., solemnly and voluntarily promise, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to his Majesty, and to his lawful heirs and successors in the sovereignty of Great Britain and Ireland, this Dominion and the Province of Newfoundland, so long as he or they shall support and maintain the Protestant religion. That I will, to the utmost of my power, defend them against all traitorous conspiracies and attempts which I shall know to be against him or any of them. That I will steadily maintain the connection between this Dominion, the Province of Newfoundland, the Mother Country and all Colonies and Dominions beyond the seas, and be ever ready to resist tall attempts to weaken British influence or dismember the British Empire. That I will be true and faithful to every brother Orange-man in all just actions, neither wronging him nor knowing him to be wronged or injured without giving him due notice thereof, and preventing it if in my power.
I further promise that I will not unlawfully have any carnal knowledge of a brother’s wife, sister, daughter or mother, and that I will also honor and respect the chastity of womanhood. That I will ever hold sacred the name of our glorious deliverer, King William III., Prince of Orange, in grateful remembrance of whom I solemnly promise (so long as I remain a member of a Lodge, and if in my power) to celebrate his victory over James at the Boyne, in Ireland, by assembling with my brethren in their Lodge. room on the Twelfth day of July in every year; or, should that day fall on Sunday, then on such day as my Lodge shall, by resolution, at a regular meeting, appoint for such celebration. That I am not now nor ever will be a Roman Catholic, nor am I married to, nor will I ever marry a Roman Catholic, nor educate, nor permit my children to be educated in that faith, or in any Roman Catholic School or institution, except where no Protestant or public schools exist. That I will resist by all lawful means, the ascendancy, extension and encroachment of the Church of Rome, at the same time being careful always to abstain from all unkind words and actions towards its members. That I am not a suspended or expelled member of the Orange Association.
I do further promise that I will do my utmost to support and maintain the Loyal Orange Association; obey all regular summonses, and pay all just dues (if in my power). That I will not unite with, or in any way recognize, any Lodge or body of men purporting to he Orangemen, unless such Lodge or body of men hold a warrant from the Grand Lodge of British America, or from some Grand Lodge recognized by the Grand Council of Orangemen (commonly called the Triennial Council); that I will use all my influence to promote fellowship and brotherly love amongst my brethren, and observe and obey the Constitution and Laws of the Association.
Lastly, that I will always conceal, and never in any way whatsoever disclose or reveal, the whole or any part of the signs, words, or tokens, that are now about to be privately communicated to me, unless 1 shall be authorized to do so by the proper authorities of the Orange Association, of which I am now about to become a member. So help me God, and keep me steadfast in this my Orangeman’s Obligation.
The Candidate shall then seal his Obligation by kissing the Holy Bible.
The Master shall here give two knocks, when the brethren shall kneel, and the Chaplain shall say: Almighty God, Judge of all men, to whom all hearts be open, and from whom no secrets are hid; look down, we beseech Thee, upon us, who are now assembled beneath Thy All-seeing eye; Thou hatest the deceitful heart; to Thee the false tongue is an abomination. Strengthen us, then, we implore Thee. that we may ever avoid falsehood, and cleave to that which is true. Dispose us to brotherly love and Christian charity, to be true and faithful to our brethren in all just actions; and as we do n6w receive this dear friend into our Benevolent and Loyal Association, may we be admitted info Thy Heavenly Kingdom. In Thy Name and looking to Thy Providence to direct us as to what is right, we do now receive this Brother to membership in our Society, trusting that Thou wilt so guide and govern his heart and actions, that he may long continue an ornament to our Association and a firm and steadfast supporter of Thy Church and people. Amen.
The Worshipful Master shall then give three knocks. The brethren, except the Candidate shall rise, and come to the sign of Fidelity. The Marshal shall then invest the Candidate with the regalia of the degree. The Worshipful Master shall then address the Candidate as follows: You have now been invested with the regalia of this degree, and we receive you, dear brother, into the religious and Loyal Association of Orangemen, trusting that you will abide a devoted servant of God, a true believer in His Son Jesus Christ, a faithful subject of the King, and a supporter of our Constitution. Be firm in the Protestant faith, holding steadfastly its pure doctrines, and observing its ordinances. Make yourself the friend of all pious and peaceable men by avoiding strife, and by seeking peace and ensuing it. Be slow to take offence and offer none, thereby giving the enemy no occasion to blaspheme. And ever remember that you do stand pledged henceforth before God, the brethren present, and the Association at large, on all occasions, and under any circumstances, to uphold the principles you have now professed, and to fulfil the solemn promises you have made, even to your own hindrance, disadvantage, and loss unto your life’s end.
The Worshipful Master shall then raise the Candidate by the right hand, and say: In the name of the Brotherhood I bid you welcome, and I pray that you may long continue among them, a worthy Orangeman, fearing God, loving the Brotherhood, honoring the King, and maintaining the law.
The Worshipful Master shall then return to his station, a fter which the following hymn shall be sung: Come in, thou blessed of the Lord,
Stranger nor foe art thou:
We welcome thee with warm accord,
Our friends our brother, now.

The hand of fellowship, the heart
Of love, we offer thee;
Leaving the world thou dost but part
From lies and vanity.

Come with us, we will do thee good,
As God to us hath done;
Stand but in Him, as those have stood
Whose faith the victory won.
The Master shall give one knock, and the brethren shall resume their seats.
The secret work of the degree shall now be communicated to the Candidate in accordance with the Code of Instructions, after which he shall be conducted to a position in front of the Past Master’s station, and a Past Master shall address him as follows: Brother, the mysteries and secrets connected with the Orange Degree have now been communicated to you; and if you will only conform to the Obligation you have freely and voluntarily taken, we shall have cause to rejoice in this your initiation; but should you fail to observe the promises therein contained, then will our sorrow be great; first, on account of your fall; and secondly, on account of the injury that will thereby be done to our Association.
I entreat you to let your Obligation be your guide. Should the perpetration of crime ever enter your mind, reflect upon what you have now promised, and let it be a check to any and every evil thought that human wickedness may suggest. I further admonish you to be on your guard against the snares that may be laid for you by our enemies, and desire to impress on your mind the great value of caution, so that you will weigh well every word you may use in connection with the Order. I still further admonish you to be ever watchful when the Order is at work so that you may gain wisdom by listening to the advice and opinions of your seniors; and when you have heard them. you will be wise to reflect, and speak not; but treasure up the lessons in your heart, to the end that you may prove your great faith. There are two cardinal virtues which bind the Brotherhood of our Order; they are Union and Truth. By the honorable exercise of the latter, in your intercourse with the world, and especially with the Brotherhood, you will find that the former is to be, and will be maintained. Regard them, then, as the apple of your eye, only to be parted with in death. I trust that what I have said to you in the name of the Lodge will have its due weight; you will now be conducted to the altar, where the Worshipful Master will introduce you to those whom, hereafter, you are to regard as brethren.
The Candidate shall then be conducted to a position about two paces behind the altar, and facing the Worshipful Master who shall say: My Brethren, receive this Brother to your friendship and love.
The Worshipful Master shall then declare a short recess, and the members of the lodge shall come forward and welcome the new brother.

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Closing

The Master shall give three knocks, and the brethren shall then rise and assume the proper position, and the Chaplain shall say: O God, whose name is excellent in all the earth, and Thy glory above the heavens; who hast so often miraculously preserved Thy Church and people from the secret contrivance and open violence of numerous conspirators; we bless and adore Thy gracious Majesty for Thy marvellous loving kindness to our Church and nation, in the preservation of our religion and liberties. And we humbly crave that the devout sense of Thy repeated mercies may renew and increase in us a spirit of steady allegiance lo our present gracious Sovereign, and a spirit of fervent zeal for our holy religion, which thou hast so wonderfully rescued and continued a blessing to us and to our posterity; all of which we humbly beg, for the sake of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
The Master shall then leave the chair, and with the brethren, form a circle around the altar and join hands.
The Master shall then say: I now declare this Loyal Orange Lodge No. …, closed until the next regular meeting, except in case of emergency, of which all brethren shall have due notice. God Save the King.