In a previous edition of the County Grand Orange Lodge of Belfast publication ‘The Twelfth,’ in the 1970s, the readers were appraised of how each Twelfth, the general public greeted the appearance of this Lodge on the streets of Belfast. Many sang along with the Brethren as they sang hymns and appreciative applause rippled along the route. Many though would proclaim,'Here's the Christian Lodge coming!' Some might say that to make such a statement is to infer insult on the other Lodges since the Institution as a whole is unashamedly and firmly based on the Reformation Truth of humble and steadfast faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone, and there were, and indeed still are, many fine Christian gentlemen in Lodges across Belfast and further afield. However, in such a proclamation that there was and is, something very different about this Lodge, not just about the manner, dress and deportment of the men who fill its ranks, there was evidenced something about the countenance, joy, example and testimony being displayed, as well as the direct and unmistakable message displayed on the banner.
 | Banner of the Cross LOL 1310 was formed in 1949 with the motto 'For the Witness of Jesus and the Word of God' (Revelation 1:2), but it was not originally intended to have its now well-known title. The founding members had thought to call the Lodge 'The Followers of Christ LOL', but when the warrant was sought, Grand Lodge, in welcoming the new Lodge and approving the warrant, suggested the title of the 'Banner of the Cross'. The Brethren readily accepted this and so we have the unique position of having our title ascribed to us by the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland. |
Much has changed since 1949. The membership has changed of course with almost all the founding Brethren now ‘at home’ in glory and many men have come and gone as members, with transfers, resignations and suspensions just as much a feature of our lodge business as any others. Our approach to Orangeism as a whole has changed, as the ethos itself has had to adjust radically to respond robustly to the provocative and dangerous environment created or indeed renewed by the enemies of Protestantism and Orangeism in Ireland over the past 40 years. In addition to the witness for the Master we have been engaged on achieving many targets associated with but not primary to the furtherance of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The most recent significant change for the lodge is evident in the fact that we are no longer a Belfast lodge. Banner of the Cross, or ‘the Banner lodge’ is now an integral and contented part of the Saintfield District No5 in the County of Down, having been granted a transfer of warrant by the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland at its meeting in March 2004. The story behind this event is covered elsewhere on this site but it is not the warrant’s first sojourn within County Down. The LOL 1310 warrant had been associated with a lodge in Kircubbin on the Ards peninsula in the late 1800’s.
| They say that “the more things change the more they stay the same” or that change “is the only constant”. No matter what external factors have affected the lodge there are fundamentals that have been the basis for the lodge’s resilience and determination to survive and succeed against all that Satan would throw at us. Singularly important is our defence of and adherence to the old book as it is inspired, recorded and sustained by the Holy Ghost in the Authorised King James version. We make no apology for defaming and denouncing all modern perversions as the lies and deceit of Satan or for rebuking those who through either ignorance or malice, seek to use and or promote per-versions such as the New International version and other pathetic and dangerous iterations. |  |
The message has not changed. The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ never changes, it is as true today as it was in 1949, as it was in 1690, as it was in Patrick’s day as it was for the Covenanters, the Reformers and for hundreds of thousands of the elect right back through the ages. Again we make no apology for nailing our colours to Christ’s cause, we are not ashamed to speak His name or own his cause. Every member of this lodge has a testimony to give of the saving power of Christ in his life, of the day when he met Christ as the Saviour of Calvary, of the blood applied for cleansing and the spirit applied for a sanctified and spirit filled life. Our Lord Jesus Christ is “the same, yesterday, today and forever and we have it on his authority that “as many as receive Him to them gave He power to become the sons of God even as many as believe on His name”.
In the beginning....
The writer quite recently made a hazardous ascension into the attic and what was intended to be a brief visit turned into a lengthy sojourn as he opened bags and boxes containing Lodge history that until then, time had not permitted to be examined. He found correspondence from almost every Lodge that exists in Belfast today and some others which are now dormant, copies of balance sheets, Lodge returns, transfer documents, photographs, old collarettes and other regalia. He came upon details of the first ever annual social that welcomed the new Lodge Officers who were as follows: W Bro. Victor S. McVea, Deputy Master Bro. J. Floyd, Bro. J. Harrison, Secretary Bro. Joseph Wells, and the Lodge Chaplain, Bro. T. McLearnon. From the programme, it appears that the Brethren, their families and guests enjoyed a night of gospel music, recitations, comment, solos and humour all preceded by a sumptuous dinner. Guest of honour was the Rev. Ian RK Paisley.
The District Chaplain, who gave an address towards the close of the evening. It is also interesting to note that the Lodge had its own Lodge choir and the year, 1949, meant that the salute was God save the King!
Among the interesting items was a printed Lodge circular dated June 1949 and entitled 'July 1949 Arrangements'. Central to the celebrations that year was to be the unfurling of the first Banner. This occurred on Friday 1st July 1949 prior to the Somme Anniversary Parade with Ballymacarrett District, Belfast. The new Lodge Officers took part in the service at which the hymn 'O God Our Help in Ages Past' was sung and the Lodge choir continued the worship by singing 'Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah'. The Banner was unfurled at the corner of Thorndyke Street and Templemore Avenue by the wife of the Worshipful Master, Mrs McVea and the District Chaplain, the Rev. Ian RK Paisley conducted the dedication.
It is interesting and even amusing to note that for the Lodge's first Twelfth Parade, the Brethren were to travel to the home of the Worshipful Master at Lichfield Avenue, Bloomfield via the number 20 trolley bus and after a short worship service, would proceed on foot to join with the District for the parade to Finaghy. Walking dues of 6 shillings were collected en-route.
Along the way...
In every Lodge history there is much to show the contented and purposeful journey that a Lodge makes as the years go by. 1310 is no different and as the record will show, the Lodge and its Brethren, many of whom enjoyed membership until their death, have contributed much to the cause of Orangeism. There are also events which speckle the history with moments of glory, ignominy and sorrow, and again, 1310 has had its fair share. During the 1970s when the Lodge was at its height in membership, there was a severe split over a dispute of honour between Brethren in the Lodge and unfortunately, this reduced the Lodge seriously in number and a short period of decline set in. By the early 1980s however, the Lodge was quickened by the introduction of 'new blood', with young men dedicated to the old motto and cause.
It was also in the 1970s that the Lodge engaged in a protest over the growing ecumenism in the established churches when a verbal protest was carried out at the platform proceedings against the Rev. Donald Gillies who had just aligned himself with the Roman priest at Holy Cross, Ardoyne, whose chapel had been damaged by fire. The countenancing of Romanism in any form or circumstance is an anathema to the Lodge, it was so then and is even more so today, hence it was the view of the Lodge that they had no alternative but to make the necessary challenges regarding the particular ‘reverend’ gentleman and the circumstance he engaged in. The protest of course cut across the protocol and dignity of the Orange establishment of the day and it was not surprising that the Belfast County Grand Orange Lodge felt that it had no option but to act. A protracted investigation was carried out with the Lodge: minute books were confiscated and examined and the Lodge Officers called to account. A decision to suspend the Lodge for 1 year was upheld by the Grand Lodge of Ireland despite an appeal by the Lodge. The writer, who was a young boy at the time, well remembers the year that grandfather and father joined us on the Lisburn Road rather than parading, but despite the disappointment that any Orangeman feels when one is forced to miss a parade, it was the general feeling that the protest had still been worthwhile and very much a success, particularly when one views the press coverage of the day. Items at the time of the protest were supplemented the following Twelfth when the Belfast Telegraph and the News Letter explained the arrangements for the demonstrations and explained why one of the Lodges would not be taking part. Even by today's standards, this would be described as successful coverage and the goal of exposing the issue and promoting the existence of resistance to the ecumenical drift had been achieved.
In comparatively recent times the Lodge has experienced a period of deep sorrow. In the late 1980’s, one of our members, who in his spare time was a member of the security forces, was callously murdered by pan-nationalism through its terrorist medium the Irish Republican Army. It was in the early morning of 25th February 1988 that Lodge members heard that the latest of Ulster's sons to give his life in the fight against evil was one of their own members. Bro. Fred Starrett, a Private in Her Majesty's Ulster Defence Regiment, was killed when IRA murderers planted a large semtex device at the construction site of the Castle Court complex in Belfast. As Brother Frederick, a printer of gospel literature in his full time job and his colleague,
James Cummings began to close the security gates on Royal Avenue, the device exploded killing both men.
Bro. Fred Starrett | James Cummings was also an Orange Brother, a member of Johnston's Golden Star LOL 1934, No. 6 District Belfast. At the funeral service for Brother Fred, the Rev. Dr. lan R K Paisley said that, "Whitehall has sown the wind and the people of our Province are reaping the whirlwind. Successive British Governments have wilfully failed in their God-ordained responsibilities. The many tombstones across Ulster today bear silent but eloquent testimony to that.... The IRA planned to kill young Brother Fred and his comrade and they achieved their vile goal and upon their head is the guilt." This was an event which devastated the Lodge and will always be remembered despite the passage of time. As today we have seen the release of terrorists, some of whom may have planted the device and thrown the switch and who now benefit from the treachery of so called unionists through the Belfast Agreement, the Lodge's only comfort, along with the Starrett and Cummings families is that one day, those who remain guilty will face the judgement of Almighty God. We would remind the terrorists that there will be no escape then and no release whatsoever. |
James Cummings was also an Orange Brother, a member of Johnston's Golden Star LOL 1934, No. 6 District Belfast. At the funeral service for Brother Fred, the Rev. Dr. lan R K Paisley said that, "Whitehall has sown the wind and the people of our Province are reaping the whirlwind. Successive British Governments have wilfully failed in their God-ordained responsibilities. The many tombstones across Ulster today bear silent but eloquent testimony to that.... The IRA planned to kill young Brother Fred and his comrade and they achieved their vile goal and upon their head is the guilt." This was an event which devastated the Lodge and will always be remembered despite the passage of time. As today we have seen the release of terrorists, some of whom may have planted the device and thrown the switch and who now benefit from the treachery of so called unionists through the Belfast Agreement, the Lodge's only comfort, along with the Starrett and Cummings families is that one day, those who remain guilty will face the judgement of Almighty God. We would remind the terrorists that there will be no escape then and no release whatsoever.
The Lodge has also had in its membership, those who served the public in a variety of responsibilities. From the writer's memory, there are and have been those who worked in industry, in law, wholesale and retail outlets, printing, commerce, Local and Central Government and Trade Unions. Some have given long service as elected members to City and Borough Councils and notable among these is the late W Bro. Alderman Robert J. Newman who served on Belfast City Council. A Past Master of the Lodge and Chaplain for many years, he realised his ambition of serving the people and gained the confidence of his fellow councillors in being elevated to the position of Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast,
Left of picture: W Bro. Alderman Robert J. Newman
a post he held until his untimely death in 1981. He was known as a man of God who uplifted the name of his Saviour, Jesus Christ and was a witness for Him to all men. He was also the Clerk of Session to the Martyrs Memorial Free Presbyterian Church, Ravenhill Road, Belfast where he was leader of the Mens and ladies Bible Class. His wife Mary unfurled the Lodge's fourth Banner on 1st July 1988 at Lord Street City Mission Hall. Mrs Newman went to Glory in March 2003. Others who have served on councils include: William Dickson, Robin Newton, who still currently serves on Belfast City Council and David Gilmore who is one of the youngest Lodge members and recently served on Ards Borough Council.
Lodge members have given service to the Institution willingly and enthusiastically. The first Lodge member to attain District Officership was W Bro. Joseph Wells who was District Chaplain, a position which another 1310 member, W Bro. Robert Heyburn PM also held from 1995 until November 2002. W Bro Heyburn also held the post of Deputy County Grand Secretary in the Belfast County Grand Orange Lodge serving almost 11 years through to December 2002 and had also been a member of the County Publications Committee serving as Chairman for several years taking over from W Bro Mervyn Patterson and assisted by the inexhaustible abilities of W Bro Stephen Smyth of LOL1934 who served as Secretary to the Committee.
It is however, Robert's father, W. Bro. James Heyburn PM and Lodge Treasurer who has shown the way in District terms as he was the District Master of Ballymacarrett for almost 8 years and prior to this served as Deputy District Master for 9 years.
| This was a period of sustained renewal and improvement both in terms of the infrastructure of the District Business, the environment of the Albertbridge Road Orange Hall but also amongst the membership. The Brethren of No.6 District had every confidence in the leadership given by the District Master who brought different, yet masterly qualities to the post and maintained the high standards set by the previous occupants of the chair in terms of honour and fairness, giving encouragement and guidance to all. The writer should of course state that the Lodge was very proud to be part of No.6 District Ballymacarrett W. Bro. James Heyburn PM but following paragraphs will describe the events that and have led to the termination of the connection to East W Bro. Robert Heyburn PM Belfast. |  W. Bro. James Heyburn PM and
W Bro. Robert Heyburn PM |
A cool easterly gale
In the autumn of 2002 a structured challenge was launched from within No6 District against the District officer team that would see almost all of that team ousted despite their high work levels and significant achievements, including the members of the District officer team who were from LOL1310.
Even before this disgraceful event and the consequent and unprecedented resignation of the Worshipful District Master and his remaining key District Officers, the lodge was aware of a hardened attitude towards LOL1310 members and the lodge in general, its biblical stand and its fortitude to influence the operations of No6 District from a Christian perspective ( an approach it has to be said is fundamental to the basis of Orangeism but lost to the intellect of some). Very quickly, the lodge realised and holds to its view that Ballymacarrett District had become a cold house for bible-believing Christians and that potentially our days as East Belfast Orangemen were numbered. It was decided through much prayer and supplication and the reading of God’s Word to know His will in the matter, that the time had come for Banner of the Cross to seek a new pasture and to take its witness to a new arena, so that our witness for the Lord could be outworked without threat from within. After 50 years of service within East Belfast this was a very major decision to take and one that the members did not pursue lightly or in a reactionary or devisive manner. Indeed the decision itself was not without price and several members decided to remain in the Ballymacarrett District despite the chill.
A strategy to achieve a transfer of warrant was drawn up based on invitations that had been received from other Districts surrounding Belfast, who had heard of the lodges troubles. Commencing our discussions in April 2003 about the need and potential for a move of warrant, the decision was taken in September of that year to write to Grand Lodge for its meeting in December and it was envisaged that it would take through to the Grand Lodge meeting in March 2004 to achieve the objective.
In the intervening period the lodge decided that it would avail of the provision for lodges to walk 1 year in 10 with another jurisdiction for the twelfth parades. At the invitation of both Cahard LOL 551 and LOL688, Banner of the Cross paraded as guests at the Crossgar demonstration for the mid-Down combine. This event was to make a lasting impression with the Brethren. We enjoyed a relaxing and enjoyable day. The weather was excellent and our welcome was unprecedented in the lodge’s history and added to the lodge’s high impression received at the pre twelfth parade in Saintfield earlier in July 2003. (The lodge had decided not to parade in the Somme Anniversary parade in East Belfast 1 July 2003 for the first time in its history.) We also gained an award during this outing in that the Brethren won the Best Lodge on Parade 2003 title and whilst a little embarrassed that we as visitors had taken an award from the ‘locals’ the lodge was nonetheless delighted at the recognition.
The members will recall that whilst our own catering arrangements fell short of our usual expectation, we left Crossgar with much ‘food for thought’ on our future and the synergy of our individual thinking indicated the burden the Lord was laying upon our hearts to move away from Belfast. The September 2003 decision, when it came, rubber-stamped what the Brethren already knew in their hearts was the right and imperative action to take.
Taking account of the process to be followed suggested by the Constitution, Laws and Ordinances, the transfer team of Bro’s Robin Wilson, David Heyburn David Fenton, Iain Adams, Noel Graham and Robert Heyburn, vigourously pursued the transfer, entering into a complex series of correspondences with Grand Lodge, Saintfield District LOL 5 and towards the end of the process, meetings with Ballymacarrett District itself, who thought wrongly that they had a major decision veto on the application. As previously anticipated and right on target, the lodge was granted a transfer of its warrant by the Grand Orange Lodge at its March 2004 meeting with the matter having been resolved at the most previous meeting of Grand Lodge Central Committee. A fair, reasonable and sensible result had been achieved and the Brethren of the lodge will forever be indebted to the most significant number of those within Central Committee and Grand Lodge who exercised wiser thinking and fraternal language to support what was a straight forward and reasonable request. We are grateful to the Grand Master, Most Worshipful Bro Robert S Saulters for his sound and equitable management of the matter with our senior Brethren in what must have been quite difficult discussions.
And so now we find ourselves within Saintfield District and the Grand Orange Lodge of County Down. The welcome we have received has been most heartening and restorative in terms of renewing our faith in and understanding of the true values of fraternal Orangeism. Our connection with Saintfield District runs back quite a number of years before the transfer of warrant. On many occasions the lodge was the guest of Cahard LOL 551 through invitation of the late W. Bro Davy Shaw for the pre-twelfth parade particularly in the late 1980’s and early 1990s. We also have connections with the Cross of St Patrick LOL 688 with previous 1310 members in membership there and many of our respective Brethren sharing membership of the Royal Black Institution in RBP 146, the Royal Black Knights of Patrick. Many of the members of other Saintfield lodges are known to us through this route but also through church, cultural and youth organisation activites.
W. Bro Alec Givens, | Banner of the Cross lodge paraded for the first time as a Saintfield lodge on Friday evening 9th July 2004. The old banner was unfurled to reveal silver tape disguising our previous District identifier and the Brethren began to feel that we had indeed arrived to a happier environment. A huge crowd awaited the parade in the town’s main street and on the hill beside 2nd Saintfield Presbyterian Church, a fine turnout of lodges and bands were assembled for the celebration that would include an act of remembrance for those who had died for country and cause in many arenas of battle. We took our place between lodges 1207 and 1366 and were accompanied by our friends The Rising Sons of Down Flute Band from Donaghadee, resplendent in their crimson tunics. The lodge was very indebted to the band for turning out with us, as they had agreed to a very last minute invitation. Adding to the lodge’s joy that night was the presence of our esteemed friend, W. Bro Alec Givens, W. Brother Alec Givens, East Belfast LOL 528, who was the immediate former Deputy District Master in Ballymacarrett. Our brother took his place beside W.Bro James Heyburn who is the immediate Past District Master of Ballymacarrett. The lodge was also very glad to have back in its ranks the lodge Secretary W.Bro Ken Loan who had suffered for most of the winter months with a slight stroke but who was revelling in the excitement of our first Saintfield parade. |
The lodge’s joy however was tempered by the fact that W. Bro James Heyburn had just the previous week been bereaved of his dear wife Eleanor who was mother also to W.Bro’s Robert, David and Jim Heyburn. The lodge had lost a faithful supporter and friend in Mrs Heyburn but the Brethren were glad to claim the consolation in Christ for with Him it is not goodbye but merely goodnight until that great reunion on the resurrection morning.
The lodge’s first Twelfth as a member of Saintfield District was again a most memorable occasion. It was Saintfield District’s responsibility to host the 2004 Twelfth demonstration for the mid-down combine and the lodge assembled with excitement and anticipation. We had our picture taken by the local press .
and several Brethren even sought the limelight and had individual pictures taken for reproduction in the next weeks souvenir papers. Gathering on the outskirts of the town on the Lisburn side, the Districts of Ballynahinch, Comber, Castlewellan, Lecale and Saintfield presented a most impressive contingent bringing together both the men’s and ladies lodges, the junior movement and an array of top class bands of all types including many of the best competition outfits across flute, accordion and of course piping and drumming. Spectators along the route including thousands along the main street in the town, recognised some of the
best including Saintfield Pipe Band, Ballygowan Flute Band, Ballyloan Flute Band and Ravara Pipe Band, to mention but a few. On arrival at the field the lodge enjoyed a picnic in the glorious sunshine and the members enjoyed rest and fellowship in the Lord’ name. As is our usual practice the members also distributed gospel literature to our fellow Brethren, bands members and the general public ensuring that we honour to motto given us of the Lord for His Witness and the Word of God. The return parade up through the town enjoyed seemingly swelled crowds and a great sense of achievement and enjoyment was the testimony of all. We sang with louder voice God Save the Queen as the parade dispersed in the late afternoon.
Unfurling to a warmer Breeze...
It would take too much space in this article to adequately tell of the other features of 1310. We will add additional pages for features such as the existence of our Junior Lodge, Banner of the Cross Junior LOL 92 and those like Sam Sloan, Robert Longridge, Keith Booth and Samuel Davidson who established and maintained its existence for the current incumbents W Bros. David Heyburn and Ivan Martin to provide an opportunity for Protestant boys to learn of Orangeism. Then there was the Lodge choir and the meetings which were held all over our Province and this work is still carried on specifically in Jesus Saves Mission Hall but also formerly in the Old Forge Mission Hall in Crimea Street, not to mention the Bryansford Orange Hall in Newcastle, County Down. The writer would also test the reader's patience to the limits to tell of the numerous characters of our membership, Brethren such as Matt Stanfield, Mark McCausland, Bob Longridge, William Morgan, Albert Thompson and Robert Cathcart, all now in the Glory and to tell also of the Lodge trips for the celebrations of Orangeism in the Central Grand Lodge of Scotland. On these the book must remain closed until another time.
The current officer team have the task of consolidating the lodge’s strengthening position within its new District and in initiating a period of further growth. The Master is Noel Graham, assisted by Robin Wilson in the Deputy chair, with Ken Loan as Secretary and James Heyburn Senior PM as Treasurer. Our Chaplain is Samuel Davidson PM and the Chairman of Committee is David Fenton. The lecturers are David Heyburn PM and Robert Heyburn PM.
Our first major event in the current year will be to unfurl our new Banner. This is the 5th banner the lodge will have commissioned and a new colour scheme of crimson and white will add a new dimension to the lodge of parade. Previous schemes have been red and black, white and burgundy, burgundy and orange and the retiring banner is orange and blue. The new banner is to be a crimson silk insert surrounded in off white acrylic and painted on front with the traditional bible on the front and the rear depiction this time will be Abraham deferring to kill Isacc on recognition of the Lord providing himself a sacrifice. Previous rear depictions have shown the sower going forth to sow and the blood being applied to the door posts and lintel in the Passover.
In closing this brief history, the writer would fail the above Brethren and the Lodge if these paragraphs did not refer the reader to the Gospel: the message the Lodge carries on its Banner is the open Bible, the Word of God, which from the first page to the last, sets out God's only way of salvation. This is not found through dependency on any church or denomination, not in any creed or ritual and certainly not in any sacrament, but simply on the person and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. He Himself has said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me." He has also warned that, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." In these verses, the Spirit of God has recorded the way and manner of Salvation and the warning to heed the requirement for Salvation, but is it not our comfort to hear now the invitation to receive Salvation and the benefits thereof? "Come now and let us reason together saith the Lord, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool". You can be saved today, right now if ye hear and heed His voice, "For by (His) grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast". Hear and receive the gift today.
God bless you all and God save the Queen.
Lodge Historian
