Illustrious Master - |
G. Scott Anderson |
Deputy Master
- |
Michael J. Bailey |
Principal Conductor of the Work - |
Joshua J. Grove |
Treasurer - |
David G. Decker, PIM |
Recorder - |
George R. Nockengost, PIM |
Captain of the Guard - |
Floyd A. Styer, PIM |
Conductor of Council - |
|
Steward - |
C.
Bruce Watkins |
Sentinel - |
|
Chaplin - |
John
I. Miller, PIM |
Greetings
Companions,
It is hard
to believe it is almost six months since installation! I would like to
wish all companions a safe and wonderful Holiday Season. May the coming
year be a better year for you and your family. May it also be a better
year in Cryptic Masonry.
Our annual
inspection will be Jan.28,2012 in the Select Master Degree. We will once
again join Cuyahoga Falls Council #144 to perform all three degrees. The
inspection will begin at 10:00A.M. Practice schedule to come soon.
Fraternally,
G. Scott Anderson, IM
|
August:
Thursday, 08/25/11: Stated
Assembly, 7:30pm @ Barberton Temple |
February:
Thursday, 02/23/12: Stated
Assembly, 7:30pm @ Barberton Temple. |
September:
Thursday, 09/29/11: Stated
Assembly, 7:30pm @ Barberton Temple
Chili Cook-off to follow. |
March:
Thursday, 03/29/12: Stated
Assembly, 7:30pm @ Barberton Temple
|
October:
GRAND COUNCIL
10/02/11 to 10/04/11
Crown Plaza North
Columbus, Ohio
Thursday, 10/27/11: Stated
Assembly, 7:30pm @ Barberton Temple
|
April:
Thursday, 04/26/12: Stated
Assembly, 7:30pm @ Barberton Temple
|
November:
Thursday, 11/24/11: Stated
Assembly, 7:30pm @ Barberton Temple
|
May:
Thursday, 05/24/12: Stated
Assembly, 7:30pm @ Barberton Temple(Annual Assembly and Elections)
|
December:
Wednesday, 12/17/11: Akron
York Rite Christmas Party
@ 4:00pm @ Barberton Temple
Thursday, 12/29/11: Stated
Assembly & Practice, 7:30pm @ Barberton Temple |
June:
Thursday, 06/28/12: Stated
Assembly, 7:30pm @ Barberton Temple |
January:
Thursday, 01/26/12: Stated
Assembly, 7:30pm @ Barberton Temple
|
July:
Thursday, 07/26/12: Stated
Assembly, 7:30pm @ Barberton Temple |
Inspection Schedule for 8th Arch |
Union Council #2
February 11, 2012 -
Dinner 6:00pm, Degree 7:00pm
(Select Master
Degree)
|
Wooster Council #13
October 18, 2011 -
7:30pm
(Select Master Degree)
|
Omega Council #44
January 12, 2012 -
Dinner 6:30pm, Degree 7:30pm
(Select Master Degree)
|
Akron Council #80
January 28, 2012 -
11:00am
at Cuyahoga Falls
Temple
(Select Master
Degree)
|
Keramos Council #95
January 9, 2012 -
7:30pm
(Royal Master Degree)
|
Tuscarawas Council #109
February 17, 2012 -
7:30pm
(Royal Master Degree)
|
Theban Council #126
March 9, 2012 -
7:30pm
(Select Master Degree)
|
Cuyahoga Falls Council #144
January 28, 2012 -
10:00am
(Royal Master Degree)
|
|
S.E.M. Reviews
Akron/Cuyahoga
Falls - January 28, 2012
at Cuyahoga Falls
Temple
Degree at 1:30pm,
Dinner at 4:30pm
Union/Loyalty
- April 13, 2012
at Loyalty, Dinner
at 6:00pm, Degree at 7:00pm
Wooster -
April 17, 2012 at 7:30pm
Omega - April
26, 2012 at 7:30pm
Canton -
April 30, 2012 at 7:30pm
Keramos - May
5, 2012 at 10:00am
Tuscarawas/Theban
- June 8, 2012 at 7:30pm
at Theban |
|
CRYPTIC
MASONS
OF THE
YORK RITE
OF
FREEMASONRY
Published by
The General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons
International
The
information posted below is not from the Grand Council of Ohio or its
subordinate bodies.
Councils of Cryptic Masons form the center
body of the York Rite of Freemasonry. A Master
Mason may join a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons
and receive the four degrees of that
organization. After which he may seek further
knowledge in Freemasonry and join a Council of
Cryptic Masons.
CRYPTIC RITE
No rite of Freemasonry has come into its own
so much as the series of degrees known as the
Cryptic Rite, also known as the Cryptic Masons.
Its popularity is well deserved for there are no
more beautiful or meaningful degrees in all
Freemasonry that those conferred in the Council
of Cryptic Masons.
One reason for its popularity is that it
completes a story, a Masonic allegory.
Freemasonry is very philosophical and teaches
its ideals by allegory or story. This philosophy
is moralistic and religious however Freemasonry
is not a religion., nor a substitute for one. A
requirement for membership in Freemasonry is a
professed belief in God and eternal life. It is
mandatory that a man profess a personal faith in
a Supreme Being prior to becoming a Freemason.
Freemasonry never attempts to alter any one's
beliefs. Freemasonry offers no theology or plan
of salvation. However, it does offer a moral
plan to use in this world. Leaving the Mason to
look to his religion for salvation into the next
world.
Ancient Cryptic Masonry centers around the story
of the preservation, loss and recovery of the
Word. The Word represents man's search for
life's purpose and the nature of GOD. Symbolic
Freemasonry, as in the Lodge, teaches of the
loss of the Word and hope for its recovery.
Royal Arch Masonry, as in the Chapter, teaches
its recovery. Cryptic Masonry, as in the
Council, completes this story by teaching of the
Word's initial preservation.
ORIGIN OF THE
DEGREES
As in many of the Masonic degrees, the
origins of the degrees of Cryptic Masonry are
shrouded in mystery. Yet, they have attained a
substantial growth and one out of every two
Royal Arch Masons is a Cryptic Mason.
Nearly two hundred years ago the degrees of
Royal Master and Select Master appeared.
Traveling Masonic lecturers throughout the East
were conferring them upon Masons, while engaging
in instructing in Craft (Lodge) and Capitular
(Chapter) degrees. Even one Supreme Council of
the Scottish Rite included the degree of Select
Master as one of its "detached" degrees. But,
these beautiful degrees were not to remain
detached for any length of time. The state of
Connecticut bore the first Grand Council in
1819. In Virginia and West Virginia the degrees
developed in the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons
where they still remain. In the 1870's a General
Grand Council was formed for the United States
of America. Today this Grand Council numbers
most of the Grand Councils in the United States,
as well as the western section of Canada.
THE VAULT AND
THE MYSTERIES
Biblical students and archaeologists know of
the vaults or crypts beneath King Solomon's
Temple. Masonic Degrees were probably not
actually conferred in these vaults. However,
such a legend does persist throughout
Freemasonry. The legends, conveyed in this
system of degrees form a beautiful allegory or
story. The Masonic author, Albert G. Mackey,
writing of the vault, says: "The vault was,
therefore, in the ancient mysteries, symbolic of
the grave; for initiation was symbolic of death,
where alone Divine Truth is to be found.
Freemasons have adopted the same idea. They
teach that death is but the beginning of Life;
that if the first, or evanescent Temple of our
transitory life be on the surface, we must
descend into the secret vault of death before we
can find that sacred deposit of Truth, which is
to adorn our second Temple pf Eternal Life."
This teaching is not unusual in Freemasonry
since as was stated previously the requirements
for membership include a professed belief in God
and one's eternal life.
THE USE OF THE
NAME CRYPTIC
The degrees of the York Rite are classified
as Symbolic (Lodge of Master Masons). Capitular
(Chapter of Royal Arch Masons), Cryptic (Council
of Cryptic Masons), and Chivalric (Commander of
Knights Templar). The Cryptic Rite or degrees
derives its name from the setting of the degrees
of Royal Master and Select Master in the
underground crypt beneath King Solomon's Temple.
The word cryptic means hidden, hence its use in
describing these degrees. The last of the series
of Cryptic degrees is not cryptic because it
does not comply with the requirement of a vault
scene. It might be regarded as one of the
Cryptic Rite's detached degrees for it has no
connection either in history or symbolism with
those of Royal Master and Select Master, as
shall be discussed later.
THE ROYAL
MASTER DEGREE
This is the first degree of the Cryptic Rite
as conferred in the United States of America.
Candidates who receive the degree are impressed
with its dignified ritual and relevant
teachings. It contains one section which is
generally regarded as an outstanding display of
symbolism and content of philosophy. The
ritualistic presentations in the degree explain
the articles contained in the Holy of Holies of
King Solomon's Temple, including the Ark of the
Covenant. A knowledge of which is essential to
those who would fully understand the preceding
degrees. The principal characters in the degree
are Solomon and his royal assistant.
THE SELECT
MASTER DEGREE
The degree of Select Master has not always
been associated with that of Royal Master.
Jeremy Cross, a traveling Masonic lecturer,
author, and educator of the early 1800's, is
given credit by most writers for having combined
the two degrees into one rite. There is strong
evidence to support the theory that the degree
came from a similar degree in the Scottish Rite
called Intimate Secretary or Grand Tyler of King
Solomon. Regardless of its origin the legend of
this degree is old.
The scene of this degree is laid in the
underground vault of King Solomon's Temple. The
events which characterize the degree are
stirring enough to make it one of intense
interest. The ritualistic presentations contain
the story to "complete the Circle of Perfection"
in Ancient Craft Masonry.
THE SUPER
EXCELLENT MASTER DEGREE
As we have stated, the degree of Super
Excellent Master is not a degree of the Crypt.
But, it relates events that lead to the recovery
of the lost Word. This degree beautifully tells
of a period in history in which all Freemasons
are interested, that period following the
destruction of the first Temple. The essence of
the degree is foretold in the presentation by
the Principal Sojourner in the Royal Arch Degree
when he makes reference "Zedekiah was one and
twenty years old when he began to reign and he
reigned for eleven years in Jerusalem, and he
did which was evil in the sight of the Lord his
God," etc.
The degree of Super Excellent Master is one of
the best devised, most impressive, and beautiful
degrees. It is most enlightening and relevant to
one's daily life. In a display of exciting
events, Biblical characters come to life
exemplifying the historical drama of the Holy
Bible. Here Nebuchadnezzar rules again; Zedekiah
proves the results of his wicked life; Ezekiel
and Jeremiah prophesy the promises of Almighty
God.
CRYPTIC MASONS
IN OTHER COUNTRIES
The Cryptic Rite is widespread, although
governing bodies exist only in England,
Scotland, Canada, and the United States. In
England the Cryptic Degrees are controlled by a
Genera Council of the Cryptic Degrees. In
Scotland, the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter
has jurisdiction over the Cryptic degrees., the
Royal Ark Mariner degree, the Knight of the East
and West; bodies of the Cryptic Rite are
attached to Chapters. It is interesting to note
that while Scotland received the first three
degrees of the last series from American
sources, the degree of Thrice Illustrious
Master, taken over recently in this country, was
of Scottish origin.
THE WORK OF
CRYPTIC MASONS
Freemasonry seeks to improve the community by
improving the individual. Therefore, Councils of
Cryptic Masons are found working with Lodges,
Chapters, and Commanderies giving more
opportunities to improve one's skills in
leadership, public speaking, interpersonal
relationships, and administration. This empowers
Masons to become better leaders in their career,
church, and community. Councils also work with
these and other Masonic groups in community
service projects to demonstrate Masonic
teachings as a way of life.
The General Grand Council established the
Cryptic Medical Research Foundation to give
Cryptic Masons an opportunity to turn Masonic
philosophy into a living practice. Currently the
Foundation is working with medical researchers
to find agents to prevent atherosclerosis or
more commonly known as hardening of the
arteries. This work places thousands of dollars
annually into the needed research to stop our
nation's largest killer, atherosclerosis and
heart disease. |