Reply of George Dawson to Royal Arch Purple critics

(Issue 30)

Dear Sir,

I must admit to feeling somewhat set up for ambush by the columns of your magazine.

My original letter to you in UC28 concerned the content of your review of the book “Behind Closed Doors.” In that letter I outlined my view that your review had strayed into support for the contents of the publication and listed a number of examples to support my case. These you failed to publish.

Being a response to a review my comments on the book itself were brief, however I did indicate that I was available for interview by any reputable journal on any of the contents of Mr Malcomson’s book. This offer you also failed to publish.

By removing these matters from my original letter it was left as only a brief comment on the book itself. I was not surprised therefore to find that Mr Malcomson and some of his prominent cheerleaders, have responded in the manner outlined in UC 29.

Nevertheless I feel I must respond to some of their comments.

Obviously I would expect the author of any work to defend the contents of his book. After all, I understand his Masters degree depends upon it. However I feel that Mr Malcomson is too close to the work to be an objective commentator. The book stands as the evidence advanced by Mr Malcomson and once again I have no hesitation in rejecting it in the terms previously outlined and standing over my identification of the eight fundamental groupings of error in the book as outlined in my letter in UC28.

In UC29 Mr Evans challenges me to state my position on Freemasonry. This I find an irrelevant question. I am not, and never have been, a Freemason. I know little of their activities. I am however happy to defend the Royal Arch Purple degree on its own merits.

My position on Freemasonry is consistent with the position held amongst the fellowship of believers in which I am a member. I am happy to accept and submit myself to the authority of the ruling elders of my denomination in this regard.

Mr Paul Johnston in his letter asks three questions. Question one and three are as a result of a lack of understanding, or a lack of knowledge, of context. It is possible to draw statements out of context from any work or author which, divorced from their background, give a different meaning to the work taken as a whole.

Orangeism as a whole is consistent with the doctrine of Justification by Faith. We know no other salvation than that purchased by the blood on Calvary and we are confident in our belief that such complete salvation is eternally secure. Mr Johnston’s second question is as inaccurate in content as it is nonsensical.

The extensive list of evangelical leaders mightily used of God this country, and overseas, ranging from Rev. Hugh Hanna and Rev. TC Hammond in previous generations to Rev. Ron Johnston and Rev. William McCrea in this, are testimony to the fact that Evangelical Protestantism is not damaged by recipients of the Royal Arch Purple Degree. Are these men guilty of promoting paganism as Mr Malcomson and his supporters suggest?

Yours sincerely,

George Dawson, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

Evangelical Truth debate with Independent Orange Institution

Ulster Christian review of Behind Closed Doors
The response of George Dawson (Imperial Grand Master of the Independent Orange Institution).
Readers response (including the author of ‘Behind Closed Doors’ – Paul Malcomson).
Second response of George Dawson (Imperial Grand Master of the Independent Orange Institution).
Evangelical Truth reply to George Dawson

Other Debate

Evangelical Truth response to Former Independent Orange Grand Master’s attack on Behind Closed Doors.
Biblical response to Rev. Ron Johnstone (Royal Arch Purple Chapter spokesman): Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6
Grand Chaplain to the Grand Orange Lodge of England JRG Harvey book in response to Behind Closed Doors: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

For more information, please William Schnoebelen’s enlightening book Masonry Beyond the Light

Protestant/Evangelical opposition to the Loyal Orders

United Protestant Council initial report into the Royal Black Institution application
United Protestant Council exhaustive report into the Royal Black Institution application
The Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland report on Loyal Orders
A Theological Report by the Church of Ireland – on the RBI
Reformed Presbyterian Church and the Orange Order
The Covenanter Witness (Reformed Presbyterian)
The Burning Bush – A Publication by Rev Ivan Foster, a Free Presbyterian minister.
Baptist Magazine
Rev. Norman W McAuley (Presbyterian Church in Ireland)
Independent Methodist Pastor Paul Johnston
The English Churchman (Rev Dr Paul Ferguson)
Church of Ireland General Synod Sub Committee
Ulster Christian
Omega Times – Newspaper of New Zealand Evangelist, Barry Smith
Take Heed Ministries (Cecil Andrew)
British Churchman (Johnny Larner)

Former Royal Black Deputy Grand Chaplain (Rev. Canon Brian T. Blacoe)
Former Royal Black Lecturer, Orange Worshipful Master and Royal Arch Purple Worshipful Master (Malcolm McClughan)
United Protestant Council Chairman (David Carson)
Former County Down Orange Treasurer, Worshipful Master, Deputy Master, and Chaplain – Jackson Blakely
Former County Londonderry Orange and Royal Arch Purpleman Andrew Evans
Former County Armagh Orange, Royal Arch Purple and (Red Cross) Blackman Alex Newell
Former County Tyrone Orange Chaplain and Orange/Small Purple Lecturer Paul Stewart (also former Red Cross Blackman)

Lodges Examined by the Bible by John R. Rice