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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.
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