An Orange Order emergency resolution calling for the Parades Commission to be disbanded was not read out at the East Antrim gathering in Larne because its organisers stressed it was a "purely religious" event.
Brother Maurice Wilson, worshipful district master of Sixmilewater District Lodge No 10, said that while there were politicians in the order's ranks, "they are here today as Orangemen".
Brother Wilson read out three of the resolutions passed at 18 venues throughout the North, but not the fourth one calling for the immediate disbandment of the Parades Commission which was read out at other ceremonies.
"We feel that today is a day to remember that we are Protestants and we are speaking as a religious organisation," he said.
Even Mr Roy Beggs, the area's UUP MP and a local Orange Order member, resisted the temptation of a captive audience of some 10,000 Orangemen and supporters to take to the platform to make a statement.
The East Antrim Combine rally was held in the Sandy Bay playing fields at the rear of Larne Leisure Centre which are owned by the local council. A damp sea mist rolled in over the field from Larne harbour as members of 79 lodges from nine districts were led in prayers and hymns.
The gathering in the majority Protestant town had the atmosphere of a family day out, with mothers making sandwiches in the field and children playing with giant inflatable hammers decorated with Union Jacks.
The field was ringed with the usual array of stalls selling everything from miniature lambeg drums to crudely painted framed pictures of Drumcree Church priced at £15.
A youth working on a street stall offered the traditional sweet of the locality, the honey-coloured and sticky Yellowman. At the "Official Drumcree Souvenirs" stand, rust-coloured linen "Made in Ulster" tea towels with Drumcree Parish Church printed on in brown were selling fast for £3 each. According to the sign, proceeds of sales would go to the aid of Portadown District Lodge No 1.
During the hour-long religious ceremony, Rev Brother Stephen Robinson thanked God for civil and religious liberty and said he was "very mindful that there are people and brethren who do not have the same liberty".
Earlier the parade led by Larne District Lodge No 1 passed along the white iron railings lining the harbour-side route to the field. Their banners and flags fluttered in the cool sea breeze as they passed by a granite and marble memorial to the 133 people, including 27 locals, who died when the Princess Victoria sank of the town's coast in a gale in 1953.
Sinn Fein Belfast Assembly member Mr Gerry Kelly has accused the RUC of "indifference" following the intimidation by loyalists of a Catholic family in their Larne home at the weekend. Mr Kelly said the family, from the Sallagh Park area of the Co Antrim town, rang the RUC to complain about a crowd of loyalists shouting sectarian abuse and erecting British flags and bunting outside their home.
Mr Kelly said the RUC told them they could not interfere with people erecting flags and bunting. They left their home and are now living with relatives, he added.
An RUC spokesman said there was no record of a complaint of intimidation from the area.