Behind Closed Doors - the Hidden Structure Within the Orange Order [the Royal Arch Purple Order] Examined from an Evangelical Perspective [Paperback]

An explosive new book published today reveals to the public for the first time the practices and bizarre initiation rites of the mysterious brotherhood, the Royal Arch Purple Order. Entitled Behind Closed Doors, it has been written by a former member of the order, 33-year-old Co Down man Paul Malcomson. Neil Johnston reports. In the book, which has taken him seven years to research and write, he looks at the Royal Arch Purple Order from an evangelical point of view - he himself is a born again Christian. In the book, Mr Malcomson describes the inauguration ceremony as follows: "The oath-bound Royal Arch Purple aspirant is prepared for initiation in typically Masonic manner, by being stripped of much of his clothes. "He is divested of his coat and vest, collar and tie, shoes and socks. One shoe is then placed on the candidate's left bare foot, and the legs of his trousers rolled up above the knee, his left breast being bare. "The candidate is then blindfolded and a piece of purple ribbon is fastened to the front of the candidate's shirt or other garment. "Clearly, the Arch Purple initiate by participating in such a ceremony is aligning himself with those initiated into the mysteries throughout the centuries.

Paul Malcomson has been campaigning in Northern Ireland to persuade fundamentalists in the Orange Order to throw away their sashes and bowler hats. A born-again Christian Loyalist, he now poses a bigger threat to the Protestant organisation than the fiercest nationalist residents' groups. Malcomson recently published a book, Behind Closed Doors, which claims to lift the lid on the Orange Order, which claims 80,000 members in Scotland. He hopes the book will have a similar effect on the reputation of the Orange Order as The Brotherhood did on the reputation of the masons.

Man lifts lid on secrets of Arch Purple Order by Paul McKillion A FORMER member of a secret society intimately linked with the Orange Order yesterday revealed the bizarre and degrading "unchristian" oaths and rituals which intimidate members . Paul Malcolmson said he was exposing the underground world of the Royal Arch Purple Order in his book Behind Closed Doors to "break through the veil of mystery" which surrounds the order. An evangelical Protestant, Mr Malcolmson said he believed the order's rituals were "incompatible with the Protestant faith" and wanted to let members of the Orange Order "know what they were getting into" before joining the shadowy group.

"This book provides an evangelical assessment of what the author terms "the hidden structure within the Orange camp", namely the Royal Arch Purple Order. Although separate from the Orange Order in Ireland, (but not in other countries, nor from the Independent Orange institution), it is reckoned that around 95% of Orangemen also take the RAP degree. The RAP is an oath-bound secret society which claims to support the Protestant faith. As Malcomson shows in great detail, however, much of its ritual and practices are derived from Freemasonry and ultimately from paganism. In many respects it presents a counterfeit gospel and all through the book the author is careful to set out the truths of Scripture which the RAP so blatantly contradicts. The examination is thoroughly carried out and Malcomson's concern is both that believers would come out of the RAPO and that the unsaved would turn to Christ for salvation. Only one question remains : why would any true Christian want to be a member of such a body?"

... Mr. Malcomson's book undoubtedly highlights a very unpalatable element within Orangeism.

The book details what is claimed are the exact procedures used in initiation into the Royal Arch Purple Order. If the book is accurate, and I have no reason to doubt it, then no Christian should submit himself to such a pagan ritual. Those being initiated become involved in a denial of gospel truth that beggars belief. This can not rest easily upon any Christian's conscience. It must surely trouble those who are true Christians and who have submitted themselves to this ritual.

`Unless Christians who belong to the Royal Arch Purple Order can refute Mr. Malcomson's claims and those of successive Christian writers, then they must find it very difficult to justify a claim that they have God's approval for their membership of an organisation that engages in such a ritual.

"This explosive book - behind closed doors - is a must for anyone interested in Orange, or Northern Ireland, affairs. The popular book, which is written by former Orangeman Paul Malcomson MA, goes 'behind closed doors' and exposes for the first time publicly the highly secretive and deeply ritualistic practices of the Orange Order. The successful campaign by the author over recent years has seen many Orangemen resign from the Order."

An examination of Secret Society - the Royal Arch Purple from an evangelical (Christian) perspective.

This amazing book, and the meetings the author has conducted on the subject over this past few years, has rocked the Orange world in Ireland and has resulted in the resignation of scores of good Christian men from the Institution. The author, Paul Malcomson MA, a committed Christian, is a former member of the Royal Arch Purple Order who resigned from the organisation several years ago on Scriptural grounds. Being aware of the great ignorance which surrounds many of the practices and teaching of the Order he undertook an in-depth study of the institution from a Christian perspective. With much research, over the years, he discovered that many of the practices and teaching to have originated in Pagan Masonry.

The authors overriding desire on this matter is to see men separate from such secret societies and commit their lives totally to the cause of Christ and the open spread of His infallible Word.

Like others in the past who have taken an unambiguous stand for God's Word, the author has come under deep opposition from those who would oppose his strong separated stand. Furthermore, like any Christian who stands against the evil encroachments of secret societies, he has been slandered and defamed from one side of his homeland to the other. Nevertheless, Jesus said in Matthew 5:10-12, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you"

'Behind Closed Doors' explains, "Obtaining any useful information on the highly ritualistic Royal Arch Purple initiation is fraught with many difficulties due mainly to the fact that both the Orange Order and the Independent Orange Institution are secret societies which zealously guard their secrets and mysteries from the uninitiated. It is fair to say they have succeeded in guarding their practices, teaching and symbolism over the years where even Freemasonry has failed. Published material on the degree is therefore rare."

Not only has many men resigned from the Royal Arch Purple Order recently from right across the evangelical family but many more have been thwarted from joining this mysterious order through the reading of this book. The trumpet has indeed been sounded! As no one is aware of the demeaning character of this ceremony before being initiated, it is imperative to warn young Protestants males (the only people eligible to join) before joining.

This book addresses the important subject of ritualism within the domain of the Church and outlines how the "Reformation dealt a shattering blow to ritualism within the Church because the Reformers believed in the supreme authority and simplicity of the Word of God. To such an end they purged out all the ritualistic false practices of Rome and replaced them with a simple living faith in the risen Lord." Lorraine Boettner in his book 'Roman Catholicism' explains: "Protestantism has the truth, due largely to its emphasis on the reading and study of the Bible. That truth is set forth as a life to be lived, not as a formula or a ritual. Its emphasis is upon a change of heart and a life of fruitful service" (p. 297).

This elaborate, highly ritualistic, Arch Purple initiation clearly belongs far outside the bounds of evangelical Protestantism. Such an outrageous theatrical display becomes a barrier to truth for the initiate rather than an appropriate channel to reach him. This type of nonsense is contrary to the traditional mode of service that Protestants have always enjoyed. In no place in Scripture do we see any semblance of instruction for believers to behave in such an unseemly manner. As evangelicals we must therefore oppose such evil encroachments. God's Word says: "What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it" (Deuteronomy 12:32).

I have dedicated this book - behind closed doors - to my late father Will Malcomson who brought me up in the fear and admonition of God. And having faithfully preached the Word of God for many years taught me by example that I was saved to serve.

The purpose of this research has been to break through the veil of mystery and secrecy surrounding the Orange Order's secret internal ritualistic body - the Royal Arch Purple and to examine it from an evangelical perspective. In doing so I was primarily directing this publication at fellow believers, especially those within the Orange Order, enabling fair, open and informed analysis of the subject. The Lord Jesus Christ said, "For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad" (Mark 4:22).

In addressing such a sensitive matter I was aware that some may question my actions or even misunderstand my motives, but it is my simple desire to lift up the name of our beloved Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ and to "earnestly contend for the faith" (Jude v3).

In addressing this subject I am primarily trying to establish whether the origins, practices, teaching and symbolism of the Royal Arch Purple Order are compatible with the infallible truth of God's Word or whether, as some evangelicals claim, the Order is nothing better than veiled Freemasonry embodying much unbiblical error, and therefore worthy of condemnation. The Bible declares: "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil" (1Thessalonians 5:21-22).

This book is not an attack upon Protestantism nor is it designed to undermine the traditional Unionist / Loyalist position in Northern Ireland. I have no axe to grind with any individual within the Orange Order, nor is it my intention to embarrass anyone by the publication of this book.

Lorraine Boettner in his book 'Roman Catholicism' ably outlines the evangelical Protestant position on traditionalism when he affirms, "We do not reject all tradition, but rather make judicious use of it in so far as it accords with Scripture and is founded on truth." Any time there has been a measure of true reform within the Church, there is nothing held valid simply because of antiquity or tradition. Men have submitted themselves to the instruction of God's Word, abandoning the objectionable teachings and inventions of man.

Man-made brotherhoods by their very existence are an anathema to a thrice-holy God. Whilst veiled with religious trappings and outward respectability, they are subtly designed on the devil's drawing board to be an alternative to, and a counterfeit of, the true brotherhood of believers, the Church.

This brotherhood of believers is not only ordered of God, but is created by Him for His glory and the extension of His blessed Kingdom. This body, the Church, is the sole institution ordained of God for the proclamation and defence of the Word of God, and has Christ as its supreme ruling Head. The Bible says, that God "hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all" (Ephesians 1:22-23).

The human body, so harmoniously fitted together, is presented in Scripture as a beautiful picture of the mystical union between Christ and the Church. By virtue of that union, the child of God enjoys spiritual unity and communion with that body of believers. The Bible says, "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:12).

The instrument God uses to bind the believer to Christ is the Holy Spirit. The true believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and is therefore joined to Christ through the work of the Spirit. The Bible says, "He that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit" (I Corinthians 6:17). Every believer united to Christ is thus united to His brethren by the Spirit, all being members of the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:16 says, "The whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth."

Every member has a unique part to play in the development of the body. None are there by chance, all have been the focus of God's special grace and mercy, being chosen in Christ and purchased by His precious blood. The Bible says, "Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men" (1 Corinthians 7:23).

Secret societies by their very existence are an alternative to the body of believers the Church, and thus deprive Christ of His rightful place in men's lives. Found within these institutions are all the component parts of the Church, albeit in imitation form. They even mimic God's people by portraying themselves as a brotherhood, referring to their fellow members as 'brethren' and the individual member as 'brother'. Nevertheless Jesus said, "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother" (Matthew 12:50).

Christians have no right to undermine their privileged position within the body of believers by joining such man-made counterfeits. Such compromise, damages their walk with God, weakens their commitment to the body of believers and flies in the face of Scripture.

It is my great hope that through reading this publication many people will come to a real understanding of the true character and workings of the Orange Order and the Royal Arch Purple degree in particular and that those believers within the Order will prayerfully consider the material outlined. Jesus said, "when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13).

"The Royal Arch Purple candidate is led round the Chapter room three times in a time-honoured heathen manner...the floor of which is covered in branches and brambles, so as to ensure the journey is one of obvious suffering for the barefooted candidate.

During his three journeys round the Chapter room, the candidate (without warning) is violently whipped on his legs with brambles and branches by the assembled brethren. This practice normally results in varying amounts of cuts and bruises to the initiate, depending on the brethren administering such, the candidate enduring a symbolic fall, each lap of the hall.

The whipping of the initiate's legs and the barefooted travel over brambles and branches is painfully endured by the candidate to the accompaniment of hilarious laughter from all those present, many imitating goat bleats, (reminding the candidate of his impending ride on the goat). This deeply offensive practice is carefully designed to further humiliate the nervous candidate. Amazingly, such ridiculous buffoonery is accompanied by the reading of Holy Scripture.

The three journeys of the candidate round 'the wilderness' are accompanied by three great falls symbolising the candidate's victory over death and the grave. As the candidate is led round the room the first time he sustains a fall, and is raised up, on the words "O death, where is thy sting?" He is then led round again and receives the second fall, and is raised up, on the words "O grave, where is thy victory?"

At the top of this ladder, the blindfolded Arch Purple candidate is made to kneel upon a representation of a coffin. The Royal Arch Purple lecturers then outline the importance and profound significance of this solemn act to him: "With my knees upon a representation of a coffin, my toes extended over the earth, to testify that I was duly prepared to suffer death and all its penalties, before I would divulge anything I had received, or was about to receive." Here the candidate agrees, by symbolically kneeling upon a representation of a coffin, to suffer the destruction of his own life before he would divulge the bogus teaching of this man-made counterfeit order. Yet Jesus says, "For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them" (Luke 9:56).

After the gravity of his obligation is further impressed upon the Arch Purple candidate the assembled Chapter gather at the back of the steps ('Jacob's ladder') and unfold a large canvas blanket. The blindfolded initiate, who has his back to the blanket is then told to cross his arms whilst still kneeling upon a representation of a coffin.

He is then asked, by the lecturers, "In whom do you put your trust?" The nervous candidate answers "God" (normally with a little prompting from his guide) whereupon he receives a violent push backward unto the blanket. Here he undergoes one of the most painful and humiliating experiences within the Royal Arch Purple ceremony, when he is brutally kicked and tossed upon the blanket by the assembled Chapter for a number of minutes. This practice is known as "riding the goat."

There is no greater proof of the corrupt nature of the Royal Arch Purple Order than this demeaning farce. How anyone could interpret it as anything other than an organised disgrace defies belief. One wonders how any Christian could defend such an irreligious sham and explain how it at all promotes holy living or respect for one's fellow man. The Bible solemnly states: "be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD" (Isaiah 52:11).

At the end of his "ride on the goat" the candidate is rolled up in a bundle and carried in the canvas or sackcloth sheet to the north-west corner of the Chapter room, where he is informed of the consequences of disloyalty to the Royal Arch Purple. Two lecturers converse to explain the penalties as follows: "Can you explain to me the three great and solemn penalties of a Royal Arch Purpleman? First - That I would suffer my throat cut across from ear to ear, my tongue torn out by its roots, and with my body buried in the rough sands of the sea, two and a half cable tow lengths from where the tide ebbs and flows, about twice in a natural day, before I would divulge. Second - That I would suffer my left breast torn open, my heart and vitals taken therefrom, and with my body given to the vultures of the air, or the wild beasts of the field, as a prey, before I would divulge. Third and last - That I would suffer no less a penalty thanthat of having my body severed in two, one part carried east, the other west, taken to the top of some high hill or mountain, the parts thereof burned to ashes, the ashes scattered to the four winds of heaven, so that not a vestige of such a vile or perjured wretch as I should remain amongst men, more especially Royal Arch Purple men, should I divulge, part or parts, secret or sign, sign or token, of anything I had received, or was about to receive, or may hereafter be instructed in, unless to a brother Royal Arch Purpleman, well knowing him to be such, after strict trial and due examination, or upon the word of a well-known brother." One must ask, how a believer could be part of an Order that confers such evil spiritual bondage upon its members. One wonders what pathetic defence they could give for bestowing such barbaric penalties on the initiate in the light of Holy Writ, or what shred of contrived justification could be uttered to explain how such repugnant rhetoric in any way promotes the Protestant Faith?