History of RBP 232 'Epworth Temperance'
Dual Unfurling Ceremony - Lodge and Preceptory – Portadown Times Friday, July 6 th , 1951
A unique event in the history of Loyalists in Portadown was the unfurling of a new banner for Weslyan Temperance L.O.L. 161 and a new bannerette for Epworth Temperance R.B.P. 232 at a dual ceremony in Carleton Strcct Orange Hull on Thursday night.
Many members of both the Orange and Black Institutions assembled in the main hall to witness the ceremony.
Mr J. J. Bell, Imperial Deputy Grand Master of the Black institution, presided. He said that he had been in the Orange and Black Orders for a long number of years and never had he been at a ceremony at which banners of both Orange and Black Orders had been unfurled.
ln 1947 a number of young men, members of Thomas Street Old Boys' Association, felt that the time had come when they should band themselves together and take out an Orange warrant and a Black warrant. This they had done and had gone from strength to strength until the two had become" intertwined. They had been dubbed "the Methodys," but there were a good number of members of sister Churches in their ranks. These members wore very welcome.
The Deputy Master of L.O.L. 161, Mr. J. G. McCann, presented a new pair of scissors to Mrs. R. J. Williamson, wife of the Worshipful Master, who unfurled the banner. It bears on one side a portrait of the Rev. John Wesley, and on the other a picture of a young girl clinging to a cross embedded on rocks in a storm tossed sea with the inscription: "My faith looks up to thee.”
The Rev. W. E. Morley Thompson dedicated the banner and Mrs Gerald Reavie sany “My Faith looks up to thee.”
Mr. V. G. Reavie presented scissors to Mrs.W. J. Lyttle, wife of the W.M. of R.B.P. 232, who unfurled the bannerette.
The Rev. E. Shaw, who dedicated it, said that the ceremony was the fulfillment of dreams that many there that night had for two or three years. He hoped that every member would live up to the principles of the illustrious Black Institution.
Mr. K. Jones, M.B.E., proposed a vote of thanks to Mrs. Williamson and Mrs. Lyttle for performing the ceremonies, Mr. E. Downey, secretary of L.O.I, 161. seconded, and it was conveyed by Mr. Bell. A delightful supper followed.
Replying to the toast of "The Grand Lodge of Ireland," "Dr. G. Dougan, M.P., District Master, said that he was glad to be present at such an illustrious gathering, The members of the lodges were proud that night but they would be prouder when they marched behind their banners on the 12 th and 13 th .
“We are only here for a little while," he said, "trying to do what we can for the good of the Order and the community. There is nothing which has a greater influence for good in the community than the Orange Order. It should be the object of every Orangeman to try to be a credit to the Order and a help to the community.”
It was an Orangeman's duty never to slander or let any one else slander a brother. He should stand up for him.
Dr Dougan said that he had been impressed very deeply by the two ceremonies. They had been carried out in a very proper and religious manner.
“Let us as Orangemen try as far as we can to keep the position and dignity of our religion as high as it has been kept to-night.”
Mr R. Walker Whitten, J.P., District Secretary also replied to the toast.
The Rev. John Glass and Mr Alex Adair, J.P., County Grand Master of the Black Institution, replied to the toast of “The Royal Black Institution of the British Commonwealth.”
Miss Eleanor Bell was also a soloist.
Other speakers were: the Rev. Henry Cooke, Mr John Gallagher, Killyman; Mr. A. Richardson, Lurgan; Mr. J. Allen, Newtownbutler; Mr. J. Ward, and Mr. G. Shaw Cooke.
Mr B. Day proposed a vote of thanks to Mrs Jones and the ladies who had provided the supper. This was seconded by Mr. C. Sergeant.
The Rev. John Keys pronounced the Benediction.
Unfurling of Banner and Bannerette
In Carleton Street Orange Hall on Thursday last a banner and bannerette were unfurled for Wesleyan Temperance L.O.L. 161, and Epworth Temperance R.B.P. 232 by Mrs R. J. Williamson and Mrs W. J. Lyttle, wives of the Worshipful Masters, repectively. The Chairman was Bro. J. J. Bell, I.D.G.M., D.D.L.
Mrs R. J. Williamson was presented with a souvenir by Bro. J. G. McCann, D.M. on behalf of the officers and members of L.O.L. 161. Mrs Lyttle was also presented with a souvenir by Bro. V. G. Reavie D.M. on behalf of the members and officers of R.B.P. 232.
The Rev. W. E. Morley Thompson, Chaplain, L.O.L. 161 dedicated the banner, and the Rev. E. Shaw I.D.G.C., and chaplain R.B.P. dedicated the bannerette.
A vote of thanks was passed to the ladies by Sir Knt K. Jones, M.B.E., R.B.P. 232, and seconded by Bro. E. Downey, Sec, L.O.L. 161. Bro. R. J. Williamson W.M. L.O.L. 161, replied on behalf of Mrs Williamson, and Sir Knt W. J. Lyttle on behalf of Mrs Lyttle.
Bros. Rev. John Glass, Lurgan, Rev. H. Cooke, Cranagill, Dr. G. Dougan, D.L., W.D.M. A. Adair, J.P., J. Gallagher, Moy, A. Richardson, Lurgan, J. Allen, Newtownbutler, J. Ward, G. S. Cooke, W. Whitten, B. Day and C. Sergeant also spoke, congratulating both the Lodges and the Preceptory on their progress since their formation.
Rev. T. Woods, conducted the prayers and the Rev. J. Key's pronounced the Benediction.
Musical items were provided by Mrs. G. Reavie, Miss E. Bell and four members of Thomas Street Old Boy's Silver Band.
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