THE ORANGE DEMONSTRATION.

Auckland Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2295, 13 July 1877, Page 2

THE ORANGE DEMONSTRATION.

THE SOIREE, PUBLIC MEETING

AND BALL.

The celebration of the anniversary of the triumph of William, Prince of Orange, over King James the Seconrl, v/u* kept up yesterday with uuusual tlemon.strativene.-rs by the Orange brotherhood in Auckland, but we are happy to state that all the proceedings were perfectly orderly, and that there was no collision between the Orangemen and their Roman Catholic' fellow countrymen.

On returning" from the service at St. Mary's the procession inarched to the Choral Hall, where it disbanded. At halfpast six the soiree commenced, and between five and six hundred partook of a plentifully supplied tea in the northern winy of the Hall. This occupied some time in consequence of tiie accommodation being only sufficient for about 150 at a time. At eight o'clock the public meeting began. The Hall at that time was crowded with members of the Brotherhood, accompanied by their families and friends, to the number of about 1,000. The orange sashes of the brethren, and the gay dresses of the fair sex, imparted a lively character to the scene. Captain, Burns, Right Worthy Grand Master, occupied the chair, having the open Bible and the Grand Warrant lying before him ; while supporting him on the platform, were the Yen. Archdeacon Maunsell, the Rev. B. J. Wcstbrooke, and Brothers 11. Barton, Joynt, (D. G. M., Thames), Sir Mackune, (Grand Secretary) W. Thome, J. Brame, J. Knox, (Hamilton Lodge). The Band occupied a position in the gallery, and gave selections at intervals, between the speeches. The Band having given an opening flourish, the Chairman rose to make the inaugural speech. He said they had met that night to celebrate one of the greatest events in the history of England, Scotland, or Ireland, the last great and triumphant effort made by William, Prince of Orange, to overthrow the Roman Catholic power, which had been shaking to the centre the foundations of their forefathers' civil and religious liberty (cheers). There was a popular delusion that the 12th J'.slv was llie anniversary of the of the battle of the Boyne. It was not; that took place on the Ist July. The battle f Aughrim on the 12th was the sequel of the Boyne. They were assembled to celebrate the restoration of those liberties for which their forefathers had shed their blood. While others might differ with them, and say they ought not to form themselves into societies of a religion.'; character, he considered that they had as much right to band Themselves, together to revere the memory of King William as other protestants had to revere the memory of Luther (cheers.) He was glad to sce.thatiOrangism'was progressing. Even in Home, that great stronghold of the Papacy, Protestant Churches

now existed. The procession of that day must have been gratifying to all of them. It was a credit to all, and lie would take t\v. opportunity of thanking the opposition party for refraining irom any interference with them. He had not heard a single offensive remark made by a lloman Catholic that day (cheers). That showed the existence of a better feeling. They were not at enmity with Roman Catholics personally, but with their church and its system. They opposed the tenets of a church which denied the blessings of an open Bible. He would not further detain them, but would call upon the hand to play ' " Deny Walls." Band—" Derry Walls " Rev Mr Westbrook said, notwithstanding the palpitations lie felt, he was able to

express with truth the pleasure he felt at

being present. It was the first meeting of the kind he huel attended as a speaker, and he had been sorely exercised as to what he should speak about. He had taken down Macaulay's history, in which lie thought lie might iind something1 to speak of, and charmed by its style, had read so much of it that the time of the meeting drew near and yet he vras uncertain what to say. There was a story that a clergyman once asked an old lady how her husband was getting on with his reading; lie supposed he could now read his Bible.

"Oh :> said she "he has got through the Bible and got into the newspaper." (Laughter) Now, instead of that, he had come to the Bible after everything else, and he had at the lust determined to speak of the Bible. That Bible taught them the religion of love, as opposed to the religion of fear. The rev. speaker made an eloquent speech on the superiority of the Christian religion in this respect over all others. If they could but induce people to love and

revere their Bible ; if they would but love those truths for which good men bad died, then they need not fear any adverse creeds, or political barriers to the truth. When they took the Bible in all his clearness and simnliciy, and appreciated its truths, they would be enabled to feel both love for their God, and regard for their fellow men. An institu-

tion like theirs, which had for its object the banding men together for the lovre of the great Protestant Church, had his full sympathy, and he was pi eased'to be there tnat night to express it (cheers).

Band.—A Hvmu

Brother Barton, before going to the main subject of his remarks, explained that the reason of there being so few ministers of the C4ospel on the platform was duo to the fact that there was a meeting of pastors at Itcmucra to welcome a Scotch minister. He had a very grateful task to perform, and one which he way sure they would all appreciate. It was to propose a vote of thanks to the Yen. Archdeacon Mamisell for opening St. Mary's Church to them that day, and for preaching a sermon (hear hear). One special point in that sermon was the inculcation of tolerance and good feeling to those avlio differed from them in religions matters. They were not of those who denied to others the liberties they claimed for themselves. Their opponents had gained by the events which had benefitted them. Many people had said it was a pity that they should have a procession. But, he asked, why were they not as much entitled to have a procession as any other Society? (Hear.) They did not interfere with the Roman Catholics on St. Patrick's Day in their procession, and no.v on a day which commemorated such an important epoch of their history there was every reason why they should celebrate it in their own fashion. The Americans celebrated the 4th of July in their midst without giving offence, and why should they be conceded a right which was denied to Orangemen. In his sermon to-day Dr. Maunsell had alluded to the fact that the Israelites were enjoined to celebrate every year their deliverance from Egypt, and in the same way they were only doing what was right in commemorating their deliverance from superstition and oppression, and he hoped they would never be slow to keep in their minds the benefits they had derived from William, Prince of Orange. (Cheers.) After congratulating the Society on the orderly character of their demonstration, the speaker moved the following resolution : "That the thanks of Orangemen be given t® the Yen. Archdeacon Maunsell for throwing open his church to them to-day, |and for preaching to them such an excellent sermon." (Cheer*.) Band—" Watch on the Rhine." Brother Knox (Hamilton Lodge) seconded the motion in some well-chosen remarks.

The motion was put from the Chair, and was carried with acclamation, and the venerable doctor, on coming forward to respond, was greeted with cheers, and volleys of Kentish fire.

Archdeacon Maunsell said he '.ad listened with great pleasure to the statements made by the Chairman and Mr Barton, as to the orderly character of the procession. He was glad to hear that the Koman Catholics were now beginning to see that their celebration -was not intended by way of flaunting the red flag before them to arouse their prejudices. He hoped to see them joining

their ranks. There worn many Roman. Catholics of great respectability. There were many with whom he loved to converse and to look at their view of religions things. It seemed to him that they "werein arrear in religious liberty. They \vne in the power of the pries fs, and allowed them actually to put their hands in their pocket. They put money ia the bank, andthepriests came and took just as much r,g they liked, and .spent it as they liked, ami gave no account of it. When the Catholics saw their organisation, they would sec it was to their benefit to join. (Cheers). ~\[ r Barton had said they were banded together for an object. He confessed he had not thought so. Personal feeling seemed to have too much influence with them. He should like to see a little more than mere commemoration. It was feeding on : posterity. They should have more action. They had examples in other parts. Look at that example mentioned by the Chairman —Italy. That country, once tlic stronghold of Romanism, had thrown off its yoke" and was now free. The Roman Catholics of Italy appreciated their liberties, and they ! said to the priests, " Mind your own j business ;" and when Pope or priest cursed j they could curse as they pleased, but Italy went straight on. He observed Roman Catholics among them, seeing all the advantages of religious liberty,' and ' yet pinning themselves to the priests. Orangemen were doing good to their religious opponncnts by shewing them the folly of this. It was their duty to stand forward and maintain their rights, and so they should be an organisation for action. They had only to look to Auckland. He had instances in his mind's eye of wrongdoing, which had made him burn with indignation. When public wrongs -were perpetrated by Roman Catholics in high places, it was then that the time for action came, and they should, as a body, enter their united protest against them. Action meant organisation, organisation meant Government, < iqveniment meant discipline, and discipline meant voluntary obedience. Every one who joined tke brotherhood should understand this, and no one who would not obey should join. (Cheers.) Band : " Safe in the arms of Jesus."

Bro. J. Brame was the next speaker. After humourously expressing his consternation at having his speech all uttered by the preceding speakers, he said he had noticed particularly two features in their procession that day. The first was that in the front was the Hag of Britain, and the other was that after it came the open Bible. This shewed Orangemen to be loyal, that they could not march except under the banner of their sovereign. (Cheers). He looked upon the other fact as vastly more important, for it shewed what they regarded as their charter of civil and religions liberty. The teachings of that book must impress the highest order of intelligence. If he wanted to study a book which should give him the highest model of a social democracy he should choose the New Testament. God was no respector of forms, and they were all equal in his sight. That truth they learned from the open Bible which was before them. If it had not been for a free Bible, he did not believe King William would have been able to accomplish his .stroke of policy. Americans though not' under, the Union Jack rejoiced in a free Bible. They need not think Protestantism had developed into its fullest extent. Better libertinism than the slightest shackle to freedom of concicnce or tongue. They would he unworthy of their liberty, if they were not willing to baud together to secure their progress and development, (cheers).

Mr Scabrook delivered the next address. He had had very short notice of being expected to speak, but would strive to say a few words, not against individual Catholics, amongst whom he knew many very estimable men and women, but against Hie system. They could not look at any country in the world without witnessing its baneful effects in binding men's hearts and minds. Uliramonlanism was at present stirring up stiife in .Europe. Its agencies were not visible, but, potent. Orangism was en the defensive, and they must ever be on. the alert for that secret foe, which would do its best to overthrow them, and trample them, in the dust. He was glad to see su-h a demonstration in Auckland, and lie hoped that the next would be more powerful—(applause). Band—Selection.

Mr Thome said he had a pleasant task to perform, which was to propose a vote of thanks to their Chairman. He would say a word as to ■vhat Orangism was. and why they walked in procession. By joining together as Oramiemen. they secured the strength of union. When evil times came, they knew upon whom they had to rely. Now, if they looked at the procession to-day, they would see -100 or 51)0 men, with none of whom it was a discredit to be connected, and all of. whom were anxious for one another's welfare. The speaker then touched upon the good secured by walking in procession, and gave the same defence of it. as I)r Maunsell had in his sermon. They had been much assisted in carrying out the. objects of Ihe society by their worthy Chairman, and he had t-reat pleasure in proposing a vote of thanks to him. Brother MeKune (Grand Secretary) seconded the vote. He had intended to offer a'ie vv remark but L as it was getting late' he would content himself with endorsing thfi remarks of the previous speakers. Dv Maunsell had said that their combination last year had been ihat of a rope of sand, He hoped r,o further occasion would be given for such a remark. (Cheers). Band—" For he's a iolly good fellow." . Worthy Grand Master Earns in returning thanks, said he had been much indebted to the brethren of the Order for the success of his efforts for the last three years, during which he had bpen Grand Master. The Orangemen had walked that day because they wished to vindicate the cause of religious liberty, and he hoped that when they went in procession next year, the.r would number not 180 but 4too. (Tremendous cheering). Rand—National Anthem. The meeting then broke up,andthe ball cleared, for ('ancing. Admission to the ball was by special ticket. About three hundred couples filled the floor, and the merry feet, assisted by the strains of the untiring musicians, kept it up till the small hours,