TRANSPLANTED IRISH INSTITUTIONS - University of Canterbury

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rosette, orange ribbon, or flower, into the grave upon the coffin. The brethren shall then
move round the grave in single file, each stopping at the foot of the grave and depositing
his rosette, ribbon, or flower, in the grave ... "83 The corporate responsibility for a fellow
member who had died, transcended the particular church of which the deceased was a
member. It was the L.O.I. that had the special honour of farewelling him. The importance
of recognizing the death of members was always noted in the Annual Grand Lodge
Proceedings. The name of the deceased, lodge and office held (if any) were always printed.
The membership of the Orange Institution was largely dependant on religious
connections but the relationship between the Orange Institution and the Protestant churches
in New Zealand was tentative in nature. Membership of Orange lodges tended to be drawn
from Anglican and Presbyterian churches. The other Protestant churches such as Baptists,
Methodists, Congregationalists and Church of Christ were still numerically small in New
Zealand.
It must be recognized that Orangeism was not tied to anyone Protestant
denomination. Unlike Irish Catholics who are readily identifiable, to locate Irish Protestants
one has to search all the Protestant denominations.
In 1869 the Auckland Orange lodge attempted to encourage ministers to identify
themselves with Orangeism. This would probably have been in the role of Orange chaplain.
The Venerable Archdeacon John Lloyd, an old Orangeman himself was approached for this
purpose. Carnahan observed that the Orangemen thought that "the dear old Church of
England, so much praised in Orange song, and which supplied the best speakers in the old
land, would be proud of the position."84 This assumption proved wrong as Lloyd could not
publicly identify himself with the Institution because Bishop Selwyn would not allow it.
Unwilling to let this incident mar the opening of their new hall the Orangemen tried to
solicit the services of Reverend D. Bruce, a Presbyterian minister whom they had never met.
Bruce listened and gave his affirmative answer. Carnahan states that the Anglicans "lost not
a few of her best members" after Lloyd's refusal and the Presbyterians gained some staunch
83Ibid., p. 21.
84Op. cit.. Carnahan, Brief History, p. 19.