1834 Orangemans Oath

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The following are extracts from the Orange Oath and Rules, 1834 (From
Parliamentary Papers [1835], XV. 440-I, Report from the Select Committee
appointed to inquire into the nature, character, extent and tendency of
Orange lodges, Appendix 3, in E. R. Norman, Anti-Catholicism in Victorian
England (Barnes and Noble, 1968), pp.140-143.

Although as a precautionary measure the British government condemned the
Order in 1836, it continued to flourish.

RULES OF SOCIETY, 1834.
Laws and Ordinances of the Orange Institution of Ireland.
Grand Master, His Royal Highness Prince Ernest Augustus,
Duke of Cumberland, Earl of Armagh, K.G. &c. &c.
Prelate, The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Salisbury.

Declaration of an Orangeman.

'I, A.B., do so solemnly and voluntarily declare, that I will be faithful
and bear true allegiance to His Majesty the King; and that I will to the
utmost of my power support and maintain the laws and constitution of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, as established by William the
Third of glorious memory, and the succession to the throne in his Majesty's
illustrious House, being Protestant.

'I do declare that I am not, nor ever was, a Roman-Catholic or Papist; that
I was not, am not, or ever will be, a member of the society called "United
Irishmen" , nor any other society or body of men, who are enemies to his
Majesty, or the glorious constitution of these realms; and that I never took
the oath to that or any other treasonable society.

'I declare that I will, as far as in my power lies; assist the magistrates
and civil authorities of these kingdoms in the lawful execution of their
official duties, when called upon. That I will be true and faithful to every
brother Orangeman in all just actions; that I will not wrong, or know him to
be wronged or injured, without giving due notice thereof, if in my power.
And I solemnly declare that I will always conceal, and never will reveal
either part or parts of what is now to privately communicated to me, unless
to a brother Orangeman, knowing him to be so by strict trial and due
examination; or from the word of a brother Orangeman, or until I shall be
authorized so to do by the proper authorities of the Orange Institution.
That I will not write it, indite it, cut carve, stain, stamp, or engrave it,
or cause it to be done, lest any part thereof might be known. And lastly, I
do declare that I have not, to my knowledge or belief, been proposed or
rejected in, or expelled from any other Orange Lodge.

Orange Institution of Ireland
This institution is formed by persons desiring, to the utmost of their
power, to support and defend His Majesty King William the IV., the
Protestant religion, the laws of the country, the succession to the throne
in his Majesty's illustrious House, being Protestants, as well as for the
defence of their own persons and property, and the maintenance of the public
peace; and for these purposes the members hold themselves obliged, when
called upon, to be at all times ready to assist the civil and military
powers in the just and lawful discharge of their duty. They associate also
in honour of King William III. Prince of Orange, whose name they will
perpetually bear, as supporters of his glorious memory, and the true
religion by law established in this United Kingdom.

This is exclusively a Protestant Association; yet detesting an intolerant
spirit, it admits no persons into its brotherhood who are not well known to
be incapable of persecuting, injuring or upbraiding any one on account of
his religious opinion: its principle is, to aid and assist loyal subjects of
every religious persuasion, by protecting them from violence and oppression.

Qualifications
An Orangeman should have a sincere love and veneration for his Almighty
Maker, a firm and steadfast faith in the Saviour of the world, convinced
that he is the only Mediator between a sinful creature and an offended
Creator. His disposition should be humane and compassionate; his behaviour
kind and courteous. He should love rational and improving society,
faithfully regard the Protestant religion, and sincerely desire to propagate
its doctrine and precepts. He should have a hatred to cursing and swearing,
and taking the name of God in vain; and he should use all opportunities of
discouraging those shameful practices. Wisdom and prudence should guide his
action; temperance and sobriety, honesty and integrity direct his conduct;
and the honour and glory of his King and country, should be the motives of
his exertions.

General Rules
1. The Orange Institution consists of an unlimited number of brethren, whose
admission is not regulated by any other test than those of their religion,
character and principles.

2. No person who at any time has been a Roman-catholic can be admitted into
the institution, except by special application to the grand lodge, or grand
committee, accompanied by certificates and testimonials, transmitted through
the grand secretary of his county, which shall be so perfectly satisfactory
as to produce an unanimous vote on the occasion.

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The following is the Address of the Grand Orange Lodge against Catholic
Emancipation, 1828. The Orange Lodges, formed to maintain the Protestant
ascendancy, were named after William of Orange (William III), who, with
Mary, replaced the Catholic James II, on the throne of England at the
Glorious Revolution of 1688-9.

It is not less the interest than the duty of Protestants to support, by
every lawful means, the religious and civil establishments of their country.
By these the honour of God and the happiness of man are most effectually
secured. In the present era, our religion is menaced by the attacks of
Popery and Infidelity, while our Constitution is assailed by faction and
sedition. Against this double danger the Orange Institution was formed,
being so named in honour of King William the Third, Prince of Orange, the
illustrious champion to whom Great Britain owes her deliverance from
thraldom, spiritual and political; [and] the establishment of the Protestant
religion; . . . . We lay no claim to exclusive loyalty, or exclusive
Protestantism; but no man unless his creed be Protestant, and his principles
loyal, can associate with us. We recognize no other exclusions. Our
Institution receives, nay solicits into its circle, every man whose religion
and character can stand these tests. We reject also an intolerant spirit. It
is a previous qualification, without which the greatest and wealthiest man
would in vain seek our brotherhood, that he shall be incapable of
persecuting, injuring or upbraiding any one for his religious opinions; but,
on the contrary, that he shall be disposed to aid and assist loyal subjects
of every religious persuasion, and to protect them from violence and
oppression. Our rules are open not only to the members of the Institution,
but to the whole community. Our Association is general; it meets wherever
Orangemen are to be found, and that we trust will soon be in every part of
the Empire. There is not either oath, obligation or test, which candidate or
brother can take, or offer in our Society; the proposal of members, their
admission, and their continuance among us, are wholly unfettered with pledge
or promise; nevertheless, we can truly tell the world that no unqualified
person can come into, and no unworthy brother remain in, our fellowship. The
Orange institution cannot be suppressed but by means which would subvert the
Constitution of Great Britain, and erase the name of the Prince of Orange
from among her Sovereigns. . . . [If that happened] The liberty of these
realms, our religion, and our monarchy would again be placed under Papal
darkness and despotic oppression.

By Order. HENRY MAXWELL, M.P., Grand Secretary.