I never mentioned Tandragee District in my letter, I referred to Tandragee as a venue for one of the 12th Flagships, which it is.
I never said that Tandragee District were using the Chinese dragon on the 12th day. I was fully aware that the Chinese Dragon display in Tandragee was on the 11th night and that is why I referred to the 12th celebrations.

Tandragree District, on their A5 flyers of events, calls the week of activities - The 12th Festival!

I also never said in my letter that Tandragee District had got funding from Dublin and was glad to hear the assurances given to me by the District Master that no such funding was wanted or would be accepted.

It doesn't matter what day of the week the Chinese Dragon display comes, whether it be on the 11th night in Tandragee or the Chinese lions on the 12th day in Coleraine, if it is being held in connection with the Orange Order, then it is totally wrong and should not be!

It insults the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, is totally contrary to the teaching of scripture and therefore has no place whatsoever in any Orange event on any day. Paul says in the Bible – 'have nothing to do with godless myths'.

This issue emphasises the need to ensure that in anything that is used the glory and honour of the Lord Jesus Christ must have the pre-eminence and certainly now that this issue has been brought into the public arena by Grand Lodge, I believe the displays should be withdrawn and never be repeated again by any of us.

This issue I feel has heightened a growing concern among many of the membership of the Orange Order as to what is seen as a departure from the biblical principles and basis of Orangeism and a desire to soften the 'Protestant' image of Orangeism generally. I believe that many of our grassroots members are disgusted with some of the things that are happening generally and I sense a movement to have the Orange Order return to the old paths.

The Grand Master, Robert Saulters, said recently, and I fully agree with him – we need to redig and reopen the old wells that had been dug in our father's day but have been filled in over the years.

I believe as the Orange Institution re-opens the wells of God's salvation and of God's Word we will become great and be richly blessed and used of God. What is called modernisation by some within Orangeism is seen as mutilation by others and is trampling down the very wells we need to be re-opening!

I believe the Orange Institution has a unique and crucial role to play in society today, we need to be among other things, salt and light – we need to take a stand on Protestant, biblical truth to stop the rot and cause the light of the gospel to shine for all to see.

Bringing paganism, lottery funding, alcohol, etc, into Orangeism is adding to the rot around us, but putting Protestantism back into Orangeism will please God and make us powerful and effective as we reopen the wells to flood Ulster with God's truth, and be able to bring the spiritual refreshment to Ulster that is so badly needed in these days, which can only be good for everyone!

Rev Stephen Dickinson
Glenarm