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Many
believe the Sublime Degree of Master Mason to be the ultimate
degree of Freemasonry and all
others to be added and explanatory. Most students of Freemasonry agree
that the story of the Craft
as presented in the three degrees is incomplete and that the degrees of
the Royal Arch complete the
story and answer many of the questions in the mind of the newly made
Master
Mason. The Royal Arch
Degree 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, viz., that of Entered Apprentice,
Fellowcraft, and Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy
Royal Arch."
This landmark has
never been
changed and to this day, no other degree has been officially recognized
by the
Mother Grand Lodge and every rite, system or additional degree of
Freemasonry cannot confer its degree on a
Master Mason until he has received the Royal Arch Degree. Naturally,
this is as it should be, because a man
is not a Master Mason until he receives the Master's Word and he can
only receive it in the 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 is
believed to
have originated as a ceremony of registering a craftsman's mark in
those
years distinguished by the 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 and ritualists as one
of the most beautiful degrees in all Masonry, teaching lessons that
have proven of value in all works 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 Master
Masons.
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
is a product of American innovation. It was conferred in a Royal Arch
Chapter as early as 1783 in Middletown, CN. 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 very idea upon which all Masonic symbolism has been based.
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 of
Israel are being held captive as slaves in
Babylon. Here you will join with some of the captives 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 Mark 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. 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.
For further information about Royal Arch
Masonry, CONTACT
a San Diego York Rite Chapter.
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