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tho persecution of the AValdenses in the Alpine valleys of Piedmont and Franco ; the crusades , under St . Dominie and Simon do Montford , against tho Albigenses of tho south of France , in which many thousands of men and women were remorselessly butchered for no other reason but that they held a purer faith than that of Rome , and a conntrv was made desolate , which excelled every other country of

Europe in literature and industry and civilisation ; tho persecution of the AVickliffites and Lollards and Hussites in England , in Scotland , in Bohemia , aud elsewhere on the Continent of Europe . I need only remind you how soon after the Reformation the fires of persecution wore kindled by Popish bigots , and how terrible were the persecutions to which Protestants were subjected in various countries during

tho sixteenth and seventeenth centuries . I need only remind you ot the Inquisition and its multitude of victims in Spain and Italy ; of the sufferings of tho Protestants of France , and the Massacre of St . Bartholomew ' s Day ; of the atrocities perpetrated during the government of the Duke of Alva iu the Low Countries . In England and in Scotland tho Reformation soon had its martyrs . From tho day

Avhen Patrick Hamilton was burned at the stake at St . Andrews , till the ultimate triumph of tho Reformation in 1560 , numerous martyrs sealed their testimony with their blood in Scotlaud . Far more did so in England during the reign of the Bloody Mary . The accession of Queen Elizabeth to the English throne , not only put an end to persecution , but gave to English Protestantism

tho position Avhich it has over since held , as the national religion and an essential part of the constitution . But Protestantism , although holding that position , both in England and Scotland ever since the memorable year 1560 , has not held it unassailed . The cause of Protestantism , and the canso of liberty , ever bound up with it , were in great danger during the reigns of Chailes II . and his brother James ,

when the Covenanters of Scotland so nobly contended for the rights of conscience and the purity of religion ; and many of them died martyrs for a cause which was dearer to them than their life . It was the Protestantism of England , aroused to a sense of danger , that swept the Popish bigot , James , from his throne , made the people hail AVilliam of Orange as their deliverer , and accomplished the glorious

Revolution of 1688 ; and when James attempted to regain his lost crown , it was to the Papists that he turned for support ; and the war in Ireland , memorable for the siege of Derry and for the battle of the Boyne , was not so much between two competitors for the throne , or two rival dynasties , as between Popery and Protestantism . The decisive victory of AVilliam in the battle of tho Boyne , and tho

dissolution of the Highland Army raised in James's cause in Scotland by Graham of Claverhousc , A isconnt Dundee , gave security to tho Protestant Constitution of the three kingdoms , which was onlyafter-Avards imperilled by tho Rebellions of 1715 and 1745 . In our own day , Popery , no longer venturing on open assault , has sought to undermine our Protestant Constitution , and , through tho folly and

snpineness of Protestants , has been permitted to proceed too far iu the nnhallowed work . It has not been our lot , as yet , to be called to contend for our civil and religious liberty , or , which is really the same thing , for our Protestant Constitution , sword iu hand , as onr fathers did . I trust we are ready , as it behoves ns to be . Yet let us hope and pray that there may never be need ; but that there may

nob be , wo must zealously exert ourselves in resisting by peaceful and constitutional means , all the aggressions of Popery . AVe nmst not allow the enemy to . ' gain power and establish himself within onr walls . The struggle is not ended yet ; aud there is much for us to do , if we would show ourselves worthy sons of tho fathers from whom we have derived , in the British Constitution , iu civil and religious

liberty , and above all , in the Protestant Religion and the open Bible , so glorious an inheritance . The objects of Orangeism are at once religions and patriotic . AVe are united to uphold the cause of Protestantism , and to contend against Popery ; and more particularly to maintain intact tho Protestant Constitution of our country . It may be profitable for us to

think what is implied in being combined for these objects . Every Orangeman is a Protestant , aud Protestantism is simply true and pure Christianity . Luther and Zwinglo and Calvin , and the other Reformers of the sixteenth century , did not introduce a new religion into the Avorld . They purged away from the Church the errors and idolatrous abominations of Popczy ; they opened the Bible which the

Popish priesthood had closed , and spread before the eyes of wondering men the truth and will of God therein revealed ; they called upon men to make that Word of God their rule of faith and practice , renouncing all that they found to bo contrary to it , and to believe and worship and live as the Apostles did , and tho members of tho Church hi the Apostolic age . May every one of us have grace to consider

this well , that a true Orangeman is of necessity a true Protestant , and a true Protestant a true Christian ! So shall we be moved to earnestness in personal religion , not contented with a name and profession ; and so shall our influence be powerful for good . Our prayers shall bo those that bring down a blessing in wisdom of counsel and earnestness of working for a glorious cause ever dearer

and dearer to our hearts . Much depends upon this , that our adversaries shall hare nothing to reproach ns with , —nothing in our private life and individual spheres , nothing in our united action . Let us see to it that wo show in our whole conduct the power of the truth , which it is one of tho great objects of our Order to prevent Popish priests from hiding from

our fellowmeu . Let us make it manifest that we arc upright and conscientious , that we aro loyal subjects , obeying and respecting the laws of the land , peace-loving , and affectionately desirous of tho welfare even of those whose principles we abhor , but whoso ignorance We pity and deplore . In all our united action let us keep this rule in view . Let all

the means we use for the accomplishment of our objects be strictly constitutional . Thus shall we make our influence felt most powerfully , and increase it every day , gaining the co-operation of those who , although they have not joined our Brotherhood , have tho same cause at heart , And there is much which Ave may do in this way ; tioi'o aro many special objects which AVO thus aid in accomplishing .

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We may do much , for exanrple , by petitions to Parliament for or against particular measures , as they are favourable to tho cause of Protestantism , or adverse to it . Numerous petitions with great numbers of signatures have influence with Parliament . Tho effect could not but bo great of petitions from all the Orange Lodges in tho country , signed not only by the Worshipful Muster , hi name of

tho Lodge , but by every member . And there ought to be no diflicnlty in getting petitions so signed . Lot every man do his duty . His sense of obligation aud responsibility ought to lead every Brother to make a point of appending his signature ; whilst somo would bo moved to undertake the duty of presenting tho petitions for signature to those who might be unable to attend tho meeting of tho

Lodge . There is another way in which , it appears to mo , Orangemen may exorcise much iullueuco for good , —by laying their views and wishes before the parliamentary representatives of the counties or towns iu which they dwell . Those who aro already decided iu favour of tho

course which a true regard for Protestant interests rcmiiros , will thus be encouraged ; the hesitating may bo led to decide iu the right way ; and those who arc inclined in tho opposite way may bo induced to change their course , or , at least , if they do not vote as we would wish them , to abstain from voting . Members of Parliament

cannot aflord to bo indifferent to the views aud wishes of their constituents . I will give two examples of Bills , with regard to which , I think , we ought to petition , and to bring all our influence to bear ou our parliamentary representatives , —Bills which have been before Parliament , and aro likely , I believe , to bo introduced again soon after

Parliament meets , —Mr . jSTewdcgato ' s Bill for tho Inspection of Convents , and tho Prison Ministers Bill . AVe ought to petition in favour of Mr . Newdogato ' s Bill , and to give him all the support in our power , to persevere , as he 1 ms nobly done , in the face of the most violent and determined Popish opposition , until his endeavours aro crowned with success . It

would bo out of place here to bring forward arguments in favour of the Bill for the Inspection of Convents , and I believe you all know already how strong they aro . I will remind you that , at present , — although the existence of a convent in Britain is contrary to law , and they arc in no way sanctioned , but merely tolerated , —convents aro spots of British ground from which the operation of British law is

practically and wholly excluded , and which aro really under the government of the Pope alone , administered by Popish bishops and priests ; whilst within them there may bo , and most probably there are , many poor Avrotches , hopelessly deprived of that common blessing of all Britons—liberty ; nay , possibly subjected to severe punishments and tortures , at tho caprice of a superior , under pretence of

regard for tho welfare of their souls ; aud that it . in ( mites possible , whilst facts in tho history of convents make u . s to think ifc iu tho highest degree probable , that many horrible deeds of darkness aro done in them . It is not unreasonable that the truth as to these things should bo intpiired into . And surely wo ought to aid in opening tho prison doors and letting the oppressed go free . As to tho Prison

Ministers Bill , it is one promoted by Papists , and which wo ought to oppose with all our might . It proposes the further endowment of Popery ; which , of itself ought to bo enough to decide onr conrso with regard to it . Besides which ifc would subvert the whole discipline of prisons , giving to a Popish lwicst , appointed , not by tho

magistrates or Prison Board , but by the Popish bishop , a right of interference subversive of order , inconsistent with tho good m-. umgenionfc of tho prison , and calculated to promote tho interests of Popery alone . I mention these two bills , because of their great importance , and because they aro likely to bo among tho first to demand vourattention .

Let mo say , further , that wo should put forth our utmost efforts at Parliamentary elections to secure the return of members of sound Protestant opinions . Let us disregard minor considerations , and uuite in support of Protestantism . There arc constituencies iu which those electors who are Orangemen , if united as one man in support of a particular candidate , could secure his election . Aud this fact

, clearly demonstrated and well understood , would have a strong influence on tho minds of other candidates . Much good might bo done by Orangemen coming forward in as great numbers as possible , at the meetings of candidates with electors , and giving expression to their opinions and wishes there . Municipal elections ought also to receive our constant attention . It

is of great importance that we . should have good men , and sound Protestants in our town councils . From their number , and by them , the magistrates of towns are chosen , aud it much concerns the public interest , that those should be men of right principles and views . Instances have occurred , within these ! few years , which show plainly how dangerous a thing it is to have men in tho hi-diest municipal

offices who aro either Papists , or of those extreme and f ' also liberal views which incline to favour Popery , or anything else that is bad . There is yet another e ' .-iss of elections in which man vol' us aro called to take part—elections of members of school boards . I . need hardly say that the olecti . m of tnio-hoartcr ! and i- ;» ht-thiii ! . ; i ; i" men to

be members of school-boards , is of the uimo . 4 importance to tho welfare of the community ; and 1 trust you will alwuvsdo vmir utmost to secure the election of those who aro not merely ' in name Protestants , but zealous iu their Protestantism—m-. n of piety , firmly holding the principles of tho Reformation .

As patriots , we must look specially to what concerns our own country ; but as Christians , wo must feed an interest , in what concerns other countries also . Protestantism is iu conflict with Pop-ry in many parts cf the world . The cause of out- brethren in AmeruVi , in Germany , in Switzerland , and wherever Popery is strivim : a-minst them

, and they arc opposing its aggressions , is mu- cruise . There mav not ho much that we can do for them , but we may at least encounvo them b y tho expression of our sympath y , and . support then by our p : avers . J Brethren , I have laid before you some of my views . I trust tli"y arc such as will meet with your approbation , and that wo shall < " .