Any student of history who examines the second half of the 20th century cannot fail to notice the extent of the social, technological and cultural change which has occurred within the Western world during this period. Much of this change has reflected the positive achievements and developments of humanity with opportunities, social advancement, educational attainment and medical science all becoming more advanced and open to a broader range of people. This progress has had its downside however with materialism, secularism and a greater focus on self rather than community taking hold. Many community organizations have suffered badly with declining memberships as people have found greater opportunities to follow their own pursuits rather than being part of churches, charitable societies, youth or community groups (BB etc), fraternal organizations or engaging in other public spirited activities. Those fraternities generally referred to as the Loyal Orders have not been unaffected by this change in society; we have however sustained our membership better than any comparable organization such as the various churches. The Loyal Orders continue to be an important part of the religious, cultural and community life of the province of Ulster even if we have been better regarded by some than others. This ability to sustain ourselves over such a period of change and increased secularisation has not stopped some from questioning the need for or purpose of these kind of fraternities in the 21st century. This attitude is perhaps particularly prevalent among some of our fellow citizens in those parts of England and Wales were the Loyal Orders no longer have much of a presence. Even closer to home this attitude sometimes finds more credence than its merits are due.

The Royal Black Institution and its sister organizations are in some respects quite old fashioned organizations but it could be argued that far from being something that belongs to a bygone era that the increased materialism and secularism of the modern age creates a greater need for groups like the Black Order. The Loyal Orders generally and Royal Black Institution in particular try to encourage values of patriotism, charity, good citizenship, loyalty and above piety towards God to name but a few. The Black Institution encourages Christian belief and characteristics both inside and outside of our preceptories. We promote Christian belief and character inside of our preceptories in our rituals through prayer, Bible readings and the lectures given to candidates at their various degrees of initiation. We promote Christainy outside of our preceptories through our church services, our open air services at demonstrations, our banners / symbolism and by the various leaflets etc that are distributed by Christian groups at our public demonstrations. The Royal Black Institution provides a good opportunity for people who share the same values to come together in the context of a brotherhood, it also has its cultural and historical role but above all the Royal Black Institution provides the opportunity for Christian service particularly in the field of charitable endeavour. Black Preceptories throughout the USA and the British Commonwealth spend a huge percentage of their time raising money or assisting good causes both of a Christian and secular nature. It is notable that many charitable groups unconnected with our order use the opportunity of our demonstrations to collect money or sell badges etc and judging by the frequency of their return they are obviously receiving plenty of financial support from our Sir Knights, our supporters and our bands. 2008 sees the City of Belfast Grand Black Chapter Black Benevolent Fund celebrating the centenary of its formation. This fund was set up in 1908 out of a sense of Christian brotherhood to help Sir Knights who fell on hard times during a period when there was no welfare state. In addition to financially supporting our own benevolent fund Belfast's Black Preceptories continue to financially support the City of Belfast Loyal Orange Widows Fund (formed 1907) and the Lord Enniskillen Memorial Orange Orphan Society (formed 1888) run by our sister organization. These Funds also predate the welfare state demonstrating the very long standing tradition within both the Orange and Black Institutions of helping the needy. In the modern day and age the welfare state hopefully makes these funds more of a help than the necessity that they might have been to some families in the early years of their existence.

These funds still continue to render Christian service to families in need in the 21st century but the Royal Black Institution has also embraced a broader range of charitable endeavours to help the wider society. One of the most notable efforts by the Royal Black Institution has been the biannual charity appeal which is nominated by the Imperial Grand Black Chapter of the British Commonwealth every other year. This appeal began in the 21st century with the 2002 appeal raising tens of thousands of pounds for the Chest, Heart and Stroke charity, the 2004 appeal raising tens of thousands of pounds for an MS charity and the 2006 appeal raising around £90,000 for the Open Doors Ministry which was targeting that particular donation towards helping persecuted Christians in Sudan. This donation seems particularly valuable at the point of writing when considering the difficulties being experienced in that country because of a teddy bear named Mohamed. Diabetes Research UK has been nominated as the 2008 charitable appeal. This is no doubt an illness which afflicts many of our members or their families as well as being a serious problem within our nation generally. For these reasons Sir Knights and our supporters should do their utmost to support the current charitable appeal vindicating our institution's role as a modern Christian knighthood who gives help to those who need it. This if nothing else gives the Royal Black Institution a clear role in the 21st century following the biblical principle that we should "support the weak" and that "it is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts Chapter 20 Verse 35). Most of the Loyal Orders encourage their candidates to try to exhibit the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity of which 1 Corinthians 13 v 13 states that "the greatest of these is charity". This phrase is sometimes referred to as Faith, Hope and Love meaning that we should love our neighbour as ourselves and be concerned for their well being.

The Christian knighthoods of the middle ages can sometimes be over romanticised with the many unchristian acts carried out during the Crusades and other periods by supposedly Christian Knights being over looked (much of which can be blamed on the teachings of Roman Catholic Church during these periods). Despite these wrong doings on the part of some Knights however I believe that an honourable tradition of Christian knighthood still emerged which has been passed down for over a thousand years based on the Christian principles of selflessness, chivalry and service to others which I believe find a 21st Century expression in the Royal Black Institution. This is not to give an idealised view of the Royal Black Institution however as we are undoubtedly a flawed Institution made up of flawed sinful individuals. I firmly believe however that the principles, teachings and fellowship of the Royal Black Institution encourage our members to pursue the more noble aspects of human character contributing to society and not just taking from it. Evidence of this can be seen in the countless number of worthwhile endeavours in which many Black Knights involve themselves in their individual lives including blood donation, holding office within their churches or engaging in Christian witness, being active in charity or community work or any number of such activities. The Royal Black Institution is without question an old organization deeply rooted in the past but in a modern society so rooted in materialism and secularism its principles continue to have the potential for practical application in a 21st century context. The Royal Black Institution is a modern day Christian knighthood which contains a tremendous capacity within it to be a force for good in the modern world particularly in the field of charitable endeavour and that this capacity can become all the greater if more Orangemen are recruited into our ranks and if existing members give their fullest commitment to the institution.