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WHAT ROYAL ARCH MASONRY IS
Founded in 1797, in Boston, Massachusetts,
as a national organization, the General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons,
International now has jurisdiction over half the 7,000 Chapters in the
world, including several provinces in Canada, the Grand Chapters of USA,
Philippines, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and many chapters in Central
and South America. Upon your exaltation as a Royal Arch Mason you will
become a member of the oldest and largest rite of Royal Arch Masonry.
WHO ROYAL ARCH
MASONS ARE
One of the most fascinating
aspects of Royal Arch Masonry has always been how so many men, from so many
different walks of life, can meet together in peace, never have any
political or religious debates, always conduct their affairs in harmony and
friendship, and call each other brother.
No Rite of Freemasonry covers the world so much as does Royal
Arch Masonry. In every country of the earth, on every continent and on many
isles of the sea, Will be found Royal Arch Chapters, eager and willing to
receive their companions from other parts of the world into that full
fellowship that characterizes Royal Arch Masonry.
WHAT ROYAL ARCH
MASONS BELIEVE IN
All Royal Arch Masons believe in one God and in respect for each
other.
WHAT ROYAL ARCH
MASONS DO
Royal Arch Masonry contains some simple,
plain statements of Truth, easily understandable and helpful in our relation
to life. Lodge symbolism deals with lessons of the material side of life.
The Chapter degrees, and particularly the Royal Arch, deal with the
spiritual side of life.
Upon your exaltation as a Royal Arch Mason you will become a member of the
oldest and largest rite of Freemasonry.
QUALIFICATIONS
Royal Arch Masonry is the logical step for every Master Mason to
take. If after becoming a Royal Arch Mason, you desire to continue your
studies, you may take the Council Degrees and the Commandery Orders, both of
which are illustrative of and carry forward the principles of the Royal
Arch.
Any Royal Arch Macon will eagerly propose your name as a candidate for the
advancement in the mysteries of Freemasonry .
THOSE WHO SEEK
MEMBERSHIP
Anyone seeking Membership in the Royal Arch must sign a Petition,
stating his age, occupation and place of residence. Members of the Chapter
vote by ballot. To be accepted, the ballot must be unanimous.
THE ROYAL ARCH
CHAPTER
What has attracted so many Brethren to seek
further light in Royal Arch Masonry??
The Royal Arch Degrees was considered most important in
the early years of Freemasonry and so dogmatic was the Mother Grand Lodge -
from which all Speculative Masonry derives - that in 1813, when the two
grand lodges in England united, a firm and solemn landmark was adopted and
placed in the Articles of Union to guide Masons throughout the world forever
on this matter:
"Pure Ancient Freemasonry consists of but three degrees, that of
Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason, including the Supreme
Order of the Holy Royal Arch."
The Chapter of Royal Arch Masonry consists of four degrees, Mark
Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason.
THE MARK MASTER DEGREE
The Mark Master Degree is believed to have originated as a ceremony of
registering a craftsman's mark in those years distinguished by operative
craft masons and their temple building. It was later developed into a
full-fledged degree by the Masonic fraternity as we know it today, Some
scholars say it was the earliest degree and may predate all others by many
years. It is highly regarded by students in all Masonry, teaching lessons
that have proven of value in all walks of life. Some Grand Lodges place so
high an eminence on the Mark Master Degree, that they confine it to the
jurisdiction of a separate grand body, the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters.
THE PAST MASTERS DEGREE
The Past Master Degree came into being because originally the degree
of Royal Arch was conferred by the Symbolic (Blue) Lodge only on actual Past
Masters. This degree was instituted to make it possible for all worthy
Brethren to receive the Royal Arch degree. The first record of its conferral
is found in 1768 in England.
THE MOST EXCELLENT
MASTER DEGREE
The Most Excellent Master Degree is a product of
American innovation. It was conferred in a Royal Arch Chapter as early as
1783 in Middletown, Conn. It is by far the most spectacular degree in all
Freemasonry. It is the only degree that brings forcibly to our attention the
completion and dedication of King Solomon's Temple.
THE ROYAL ARCH DEGREE
The Royal Arch Degree is the climax of Ancient Craft Masonry and
Masonic Symbolism. It is described as "the root and marrow of Freemasonry."
It is the complete story of Jewish History during some of its darkest hours.
Jerusalem and the Holy temple are destroyed, The people are being held
captive as slaves in Babylon. Here you will join with some slaves as they
are set free to return home and engage in the noble and glorious work of
rebuilding the city and the Temple of God. It is during this rebuilding that
they make a discovery that brings to light the greatest treasure of a Mason
--the long lost Master's Word.
Many historians have traced the earliest origins of the Royal Arch Degree to
Ireland, late in the 17th century and in England in 1738, In 1752,
ambulatory or military warrants for Lodges were introduced. This was
instrumental in placing the Royal Arch Degree on a par with the Master Mason
Degree.
Military lodges were greatly responsible for planting Freemasonry in the
Colonies and also gave birth to the use of the Marl and Royal Arch degrees
in the "New World." Lodge records show that the Royal Arch Degree was
conferred at Fredericksburg No. 4 on December 12, 1753. George Washington
was raised in this lodge a few months prior to this date.
The value of Royal Arch Masonry will be appreciated by all who are exalted
to that most sublime degree, particularly by those who are seeking to
complete their Masonic education. It reveals the full light of Ancient Craft
Masonry, presents it as a complete system in accordance with the original
plan and justly entitles you to claim the noble name of Master Mason .
 Chapter
Degrees
MARK MASTER
The work on the Temple continues. Amplifying the Fellowcraft
Degree, we are taught that knowledge we received there can be employed
most usefully and judiciously for our honor and the profit of others. A
beautiful lesson is exemplified, inculcating the truth that although we
are often misunderstood, underrated and traduced, there is ONE who will
make the rejected stone the head of the corner.
PAST MASTER
This Degree begins the preparation for the Royal Arch, which we
are told was removed from the Symbolic Degrees, of which it was once a
part, to reserve it for the more earnest seeker of more Light in
Masonry. Originally only Past Masters of Lodges were admitted to the
sublime secrets of the Royal Arch. This meant that very few could
receive them. The Degree of Past Master (virtual) teaches the
candidate that he must first learn to obey before he can rule, and to
govern himself before he can govern others.
MOST EXCELLENT MASTER
This is a significant Degree in Ancient Craft Masonry. King
Solomon's Temple, which was begun so auspiciously and halted so
dramatically in the Third Degree, is completed amid much rejoicing and
great splendor. The labors of the Craft are given the blessing of the
Lord, who descended as fire from heaven. King Solomon, in his gratitude,
received and acknowledged them Most Excellent Masters, empowered them to
travel and receive Master's Wages, and charged them with the
responsibility of sharing their Masonic Light and Knowledge with those
less informed.
THE ROYAL ARCH
In this Degree we find the completion to the Master's Degree and
the Recovery of the Word. After the death of King Solomon, his
magnificent Temple was destroyed and the Israelites carried away as
captives to Babylon, where they lived for about 76 years. Here, many
acquired considerable wealth and attained high rank and influence in the
Chaldean government. However, when liberated by King Cyrus, many of them
returned to Jerusalem and began rebuilding the Temple. While this work
was going on and rubbish of the ruins of the first Temple was being
cleared away, many interesting and valuable discoveries were made, chief
of which was the recovery of the Lost Word. With the recovery of that
which was lost, it would seem to the novitiate that his search for Light
was ended. However in order that he might better acquire the lessons, a
seemingly inverse movement of the Degrees, historically, is setup.
ORDER OF HIGH PRIESTHOOD
This is a "chair" degree
which is conferred on present or past High Priests, usually during the
time of the state Grand Chapter meeting. It tells the story of Abraham
returning from the slaughter of the kings, and his encounter with
Melchizedek, High Priest of Salem. The High Priest is then solemnly
anointed, consecrated and set apart to the Holy Order of High
Priesthood.
 Council
Degrees
ROYAL MASTER
This Degree takes us backward in time to a day prior to the
death of the builder, Hiram Abif, who is again the central character. He
imparts sublime teachings of a useful labor on earth to the candidate
and gives him instruction as to the preservation of our valuable
secrets. This is one the most beautiful Degrees in all Masonry. Its
lessons are so impressive that they are seldom forgotten. It is
especially illustrative of the third and seventh Degrees.
SELECT MASTER
Historically, this Degree occurs also prior to the third Degree
and deals with incidents that occurred at the building of the first
Temple. It is closely connected with the Royal Arch Degree and affords
the explanation needed for its perfect understanding. It is highly
dramatic.
SUPER
EXCELLENT MASTER
This degree deals with incidents in the reign of King
Nebuchadnezzar when Zedehiah, the last King of Judah, was conquered and
carried captive to Babylon. It enlarges upon the section of the Royal
Arch having to do with the capture of Jerusalem by the Babylonian King,
and teaches in most dramatic fashion the lesson of fidelity. (This
degree, due to its complexity, is not normally conferred in Council, and
is put on at Winter Haven and Jacksonville once a year).
ORDER OF THE SILVER TROWEL
This is a "chair" degree
which is conferred on present or past Illustrious Masters, usually
during the time of the state Grand Council meeting. It also goes by the
name of Thrice Illustrious Masters Order of the Silver Trowel. It
consists of two sections, the candidate represents the young King
Solomon in both sections.
 Commandery
Orders
ORDER OF RED CROSS
Here again we revert to the period of the Royal Arch Degree when
the Jews were returning from Babylon to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple.
One of their number prevails upon King Darius to restore the Holy
Vessels to the new Temple. They had been carried away by the Babylonian
armies when the first Temple was destroyed. In presenting his plea
before the king, the companion gives a powerful testimony to the
almighty force of Truth.
ORDER OF MALTA
AND THE MEDITERRANEAN PASS
Shifting to the time of the Crusades, admission to the
Mediterranean Pass is sought so that a safe pilgrimage to the Holy
Sepulcher might be undertaken. This is a sublime and sacred Order, which
culminates in the enrollment of the suppliant as a Knight of Malta.
ORDER OF THE
TEMPLE
No Degree or Order in Masonry is more solemn, impressive or
soul-searching than the Order of the Temple. It is a fitting climax to
the labors of the humble penitent, who has faithfully performed the
symbolic seven years of preparation for this consummation of his
endeavors. He is knighted as a Christian warrior.
KNIGHT CRUSADER OF THE CROSS
The Knight Crusaders of
the Cross is a "chair degree" conferred upon present or past Eminent
Commanders of a Commandery. The degree originated in Florida in 1969 and
spread North. Typically it is conferred at the same time as the state
Grand Commandery meeting.
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