Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-07-15
what iS the society of Orangemen.

What is the Society of Orangemen:
From the Union and Americana
The 18th Of July is celebrated by the
Orangemen as the anniversary of the
battle of the Boyne, fought July IL,
1890. The Boyne is river of Ireland
formed by the confluence of several
small streams in the southern part of
Meath. This battle was fought between
King William III, Of England at the
head of combined force of English,
Dutch and allied detaehments of almost
every Protestant kingdom of Europe,
and the ex-monarch. James Ii, with an
invading French and Irish army. King
William III was a stakeholder of Hol-
land (William Henry Of Nassau, Prince
OF 0range,) and his mothers family
had been deprived of the British
throne. The Orangemen associate also
in honor of him, and bear his name.
Those who desire to become members
of the Institution of Orangemen have
to be admitted by ballot, and each ap-
plicant must receive at least six-sey-
enths of the votes cast Every mem
Der must belong to a private or subor-
dinate lodge, and can only be admitted
on proof that he is q Protestant of
known loyalty, and over eighteen years
of age. Each member pays an entrance
fee. The association is divided into
five orders or degrees, the first of which
is the orange, and the fifth and highest
the scarlet degree, No one is eligible
to the highest degree till he has been a
member for twelve months. The officers
Of the lodge must be of the scarlet de-
gree, and consist of a master, deputy
master, secretary, treasurer and five com
mittee men, holding office one wear.
Meetings are held once q month, and the
lodge is opened by prayer, after which
portion of scripture is read, which is
followed by the transaction of business.
such as the balloting for candidates, ad-
mission of new members, and consider
alton of communications, the lodge
closing with prayer. Any member mar
rying o Catholic must be forthwith ex-
PEELED. Three or more subordinate
lodges constitute district lodge, Of
which the officers are q district master,
district deputy master, etc bearing the
same titles as the officers of the lower
lodges, with the prefix of district"
The district lodge meets four times in a
year, and exercises a species of super
vision over the lower lodges, which
makes regular reports to it. Next above
the district lodges are the county grand
lodges, whose officers, from master to
grand committee, bear the titles already
enumerated, with the prefix of grand,
and are elected by the officers of the dis
trict lodges in the county. The county
grand lodge meets twice year. Finally,
there is in each Of the three Kingdoms
of Great Britain and in Wales, and in
the principal colonies, a grand lodge,
which meets twice a year, and consists |
OF the above mentioned grand officers,
and of a grand committee selected by |
the officers of the county grand lodges. |
There is also an imperial grand lodge,
at the head of which is the grand master
of the Empire, who is its chief and su-
preme head. His office is perman-
ent and uncontrolled being confded |
wholly to the loyalty and integrity Of
that Orangemsn who shall be worthy of
so high trust The imperial grand
lodge meets once year, and is composed
1f the grand officers of the grand lodges
Df the Kingdoms, which compose the
Empire of Great Britain.