We believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth, in Jesus Christ, His Son, our only Mediator, in the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, and in the Bible, His revealed will.

We believe in the right of private judgment, and in the untrampeled freedom of opinion; that intelligence promotes the establishment and perpetuity of good government. We believe that public schools are essential to the safety of the state. That such schools should be free from ecclesiastical influence and control. We believe that persons disloyal to the government or to the public schools should be rigorously excluded from teaching therein.

We believe that primary temporal allegiance is due to the government, which protects our lives, liberties and property. We believe that ecclesiastical authority should not be permitted to interfere with civil government, or to meddle with the relations of the citizen and the state. We believe that coercion of the citizen in the exercise of his rights and franchises, under the guise of spiritual or religious authority should be punished, as a crime against the state. We believe that it is the duty of the citizen to defend the constituted authorities and institutions of the country against corrupt and inimical influences. As well as against armed assailants, to the end that our glorious heritage of freedom may be transmitted unimpaired to posterity.

We cherish the memories of noble men of every age and country, who have contributed to establish civil and religious freedom for the people. Among those worthy to special honor, we place Wyckliffe, Knox , Luther, Melancthon, Colingy, the "Pilgrim Fathers", William of Orange, President of the Dutch Republic, Washington and Lincoln, and all other heroes in the same cause. Such names are, to us, an inspiration to noble endeavors, and to untiring vigilance in perpetuating the institutions purchased by them with blood and treasure.

Our brotherhood is as broad as humanity, and extends to most countries of the globe in some form. The "Pilgrim Fathers" first planted our principles on these shores. The constitution of the United States may be regarded as an epitome of what we hold and teach. We have no secret principles or hidden aims. The members of the Order are known in all countries as Orangemen, in honor of the noble William of Orange, who did so much for the cause of universal liberty. We, in the United States, where
every one loyal to our government and institutions is necessarily an Orangeman at heart, though he may not wear the regalia, adopt the honored name, because of its universality.

To propagate and defend these principles, we are united by a solemn covenant of friendship and fraternal fidelity. We constitute a brotherhood whose bond of Union is "Justice, Truth and Righteousness." As a fraternity, we aim to practice the precepts of our profession, to relieve those who are in distress, to help the widow and the fatherless, and to encourage virtue, industry, frugality and patriotism.