ORANGE CELEBRATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 161, 9 July 1888, Page 5

ORANGE CELEBRATION.

The anniversary services of the Orange In. Btitution were celebrated yesterday. In the afternoon a large number of the brotherhood assembled at the Protestant Hall, Newton, and marched—the Newton Band heading them with suitable music— to the Opera House, where Divine service was held. The building was filled. Tho Grand Master, the Rev. 0. E. Ward, conducted tho service, and the Rev. E. Best preached an able sermon from Dout. viii., 2, " And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord liiy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness to humble thee and to prove thee ; to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldst keep his commandments or no." The preacher reviewed God's providence in nations-re-ferring to his raising up special men to carry on his work, specially dwelling upon the work- of the refeft-mer Cromwell and of William 111., Prince of Orange, the founder of this noble institution, whose landing on English shores 200 years ago was one ot the greatest epochs in our nation's history. ~ In the evening the Grand Master, tho Bsv. C. E. Ward, conducted service in his church, Franklin Road. The church was full, and many brethren were present in regalia. Mr Ward based his discourse on Judges 6th chap. 12ttj, verse, "The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour;" 7th chap. 9th verse, " Arise, and get thee down unto the host, for I have delivered it into thine hand;" Bth chap. 22nd verse, " Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, rule thou over us, for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian."

Mr Ward first explained the principles of the order, which were religion and liberty based upon the teachings of the Bible. He showed the remarkable resemblance between Gideon and William Prince of Orange, and delivered an interesting'and powerful discourse upon valour and a good general. On Thursday the annual social will be held in the Foresters' Hall, Newton, when the R.VV. Grand Master will preside, and patriotic addresses will be delivered by the Revs. Garland, Smith, Josiah Ward and others.