History of RBP 232 'Epworth Temperance'

Mr. J. J. Bell is install as First W.M. of R.B.P. 232 in the 16th Preceptory within Portadown Royal Black Chapter - Portadown News 14-11-1947

Portadown has .become the home of a Warrant issued on 22nd February, 1906, to a Preceptory in Maxville, Eastern Ontario, Canada. Given the new title Epworth Temperance R.B.P. No. 232, the Precepcory was formally instituted on Friday evening last in Carleton St. Orange Hall, at the meeting of Portadown District Black Chapter, Sir Knt Alex Adair, W.D.M.; presided, with Sir Knt D. England, D.D.M., in the vice-chair. Other District officers present and taking part were Sir Kts. Rev, J. Molloy, D.C.; and G. Shaw Cooke, District Registrar.

First Officers Installed

The officers of the new Precep­tory were introduced and installed as follows:—W.M,, John Joshua Bell, I.P.G.M.; D.M., Wm. J. Lyttle; Chaplain; Wm. Coulter; Reg; Victor G. Reavie, Treasurer; Saml. Crozier, 1st Lecturer; R. H. Bell, M.G.C; 1 st Committeeman, Norman McCullough.

Handing over the warrant to Sir Kt. Joshua Bell, the District Msster spoke of the pleasure it had given him to preside at that function and see instituted Portadown's 16 th Preceptory.

Bro. Bell in reply, said he felt proud to be the first W.M. of this latest addition to the number of Preceptories in Portadown district and he sincerely thanked all who had contributed assistance to its foundation.

Following the closing of the Preceptory all were entertained to supper.

After the toast of the King had been duly honoured, Sir Knt H. A. Cushnie, Imperial Grand Registrar, Lurgan, responded to the sentiments of the Grand Black Chapter.

Introducing the speaker, Sir Knt Bell spoke of the outstanding services, Sir Knt Cushnit had rendered and was rendering to the Institution throughout the World. It was Sir Knt Cushnie's duty to attend to Institutional matters arising in Canada, Australia, U.S.A., New Zealand as well as all over the British Isles and those who had had to make written contact with him know how promptly he attended to their letters.

Institution's remarkable progress

Expressing his great pleasure at seeing further evidence of the progress of the Institution in Portadown, Sir Knt, Cushnie said that for a provincal town and immediate district sixteen Preceptories was a fine achievement. He always felt that Portadown had a great District Chapter and in that respect he paid tribute to the memory of the predecessor of their W.D.M., the Late Sir Knt Bell, who laid a great foundation in that district. When he passed on the work had been well and truly taken up by Sir Knt Adair.

Sir Knt. Cushnie spoke appreciatively of the capabilities of their new W.M., Sir Knt Bell, who was an authority on the laws of their Institutions and one who was very highly thought of in the Grand Black Chapter. His voice had also been heard to good advantage when on deputations to Stormont concerning vital issues and in that connection he (Sir Knt Cushnie) congratulated Portadown on having selected Sir Knt Bell and Sir Knt R. J. Magowan, J.P.; as their representatives on those occasions.

Turning to the wider aspects of the Institution, Sir Knt Cushine said the Imperial Grand Black Chapter was in a very flourishing condition. Never before had it been blessed with such prosperity for during the past two years it's progress had surpassed the most sanguine expectations. In fourteen months 4,500 initiates had been passed to full membership in Northern Ireland.

“That,” declared the Grand Registrar, “is our reply to all those people who think and have thought that our Institutions have had their day, particularly when we were not so active during the war years. That is our reply and they must see and all must say that our Institutions have come to stay.”

Having added that at the last County meeting, three new R.B.P. warrants were issued for County Armagh alone, Sir Knt Cushnie said this particular warrant No. 232 was issued on February 22 nd , 1906, to Maxville, Eastern Ontario.

Canada Two years ago it was cancelled, and he was very happy to 'be able' to re-issue it to Portadown. The Toast of the Visitors was replied to by Sir Kt, David Reid, D.M. of R.B.P 25 and Sir Kt. Mar­tin, both of Belfast.

Increase of eleven Preceptories

Sir Kt. Reavie proposed the Toast of the Portadown District Black Chapter.

Responding, Sir Kt. Adair said this was the fifth Preceptory he had instituted since becoming District Master, while the late Sir Kt. Bell had instituted six during his term of office. In their early days Portadown had only five Preceptories but to-day there were sixteen and he looked forward to the institution of two or possibly three more before he handed over office. He added his congratulations to Sir Kt. Bell on his attaining the ; premier office

Sir Kt. W. J. Moffett, J.P., D.D.M, of Portadown District L.O.L. No. 1, conveyed the greetings of 'R.B.P. No. 744. It was from the late Sir Kt. R. H. Bell that he received his degrees in the Black Institution and for that and many other ' reasons he was pleased to see Sir Kt. Joshua Bell in the chair that evening. He hoped that in the days to come R.B.P. No. 232 would', continue to flourish and increase in numbers and that it would be a respected number among the respected numbers in the District of Portadown.

Sir Knt Collr. R. J. Magowan,

The Portadown Times

Portadown District's Sixteenth Preceproty Congratulations at Institution Ceremony

Portadown District's sixteenth Royal Black Preceptory was instituted in Carleton Street Orange Hall, on Friday evening by the Portadown District Lodge – Sir Knt A. Adair, District Master, presiding. The new number is Epworth Temperance R.B.P. 232. This warrant was working in Thomasburg, Eastern Ontario, in 1874, one of the original Preceptories around which the Provincial Grand Chapter of British America was formed. 1906 it was removed to Maxville, still in Eastern Ontario, under the title Glengarry, and returned to Ireland in 1943.

The ceremony of the handing over of the warrant and installing of the officers was impressively carried out by the District Master and officers. There was a large and representative gathering. Sir Knt H. A. Cushnit, Deputy Imperial Grand Registrar, introduced the officers-elect, as follows: W.M., John Joshua Bell; D.M., W. J. Lyttle; Chaplain, W. Coulter; treasurer, S. Crozier; registrar, Victor G. Reavie; first lecturer, R. H. Bell; foreman of the committee, Norman McCullough. After the institution (installation), the new W.M. Sir Knt J. Joshua Bell, expressed pride at the honour conferred on him and thanked all who had helped in the institution of the Preceptory, especially the District Master and District and County Registrar (Sir Knt G. Shaw Cooke), and Sir Knt H. A. Cushnie. Sir Knts J. Geddis and H. H. McBroom acted as deacons.

A sumptuous supper was served subsequently, and an enjoyable social evening was spent under the presidency of the new W.M., when congratulatory speeches were made by District Officers and others, including Sir Knts Thomas J. Martin, P.M., and David Reid, P.M. of R.B.P. 322. Belfast , the latter saying that when in Portadown in 1914 there were only six Preceptories.

Sir Knt H. A. Cushnie, replying to the toast of “The Imperial Grand Chapter,” conveyed to Sir Knt Bell his personal congratulations and the greetings of Lurgan District Chapter. He always felt that Portadown had a great District Chapter, built up by the late Sir Knt Robert H. Bell, whose reins had been well and truly taken up Sir Knt Adair. The new Preceptory would not be of mushroom growth, because it would be well led by Sir Knt Bell. Portadown District should be proud of Sir Knights like Sir Knt Bell and Sir Knt R. J. Magowan. He wished all Mayors were members of the Institution.

Speaking of the progress of the Institution, he said that in the last 18 months it had surpassed all anticipations. In the past 14 months 4,500 certificates had been granted, a reply to those who said the Institution had had it day. Three new warrants were issued for County Armagh at the last County meeting.

Sir Knt V. J. Reavie proposed the toast of “Portadown District Chapter,” which was responded to by Sir Knts Adair. D. England, G. S. Cooke, Rev. J. Molloy and W. J. Moffett, J.P.

The District Master said there was no one more proud than he of the institution of that new warrant. He hoped to see at least two more in the District.

Sir Knt Moffet expressed pleasure that the new Preceptory had the word “Temperance” in its title, and congratulating the new W.M., said its was 50 years since his reverd father had conferred degrees on him. He always had a high respect for Sir Knt R. H. Bell, who was an example of what an Orange and Black man should be. He hoped that the Preceptory, whose figures, counted together, made the perfect number seven, would flourish in numbers and character.

Others congratulating the new W.M. and Preceptory included Sir Knts. R. J. Magowan, J.P., Mayor of Portadown, and W.M. of No 80; J. F. Rutherford, W.M. 466; W. H. Bell, W.M. 663; T. J. Hanna 663; J. G. Martin, 199; H. Whitten, 25; W. D. Thompson, 267; and W. England.

Songs were contributed by a quartet Sir Knts, J. Menaul, H. McAfee, amd G. Shaw Cooke, a recitation by Sir Knt Cecil Lyttle, and anecdotes by Sir Knt J. G. McCann. Sir Knt W. Coulter thanked the artists.

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