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Concordant Bodies of Masonry
The Scottish Rite is a concordant body of Masonry, meaning that it is not part of the Craft Lodge per se, but closely associated with Masonry. It requires that a man be a Master Mason before joining the Scottish Rite. The Scottish Rite confers the 4th through 32nd degrees. The degree work may be, but is not necessarily, completed at one time. Any Master Mason is eligible to join the Scottish Rite. The degrees of the Scottish Rite continue the symbolism of the first three Masonic degrees. The above refers to the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite (AASR), not the Rectified Scottish Rite , which exists both in UGLE-recognised and non-recognised Masonic bodies in Europe. Click here
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The York Rite, like the Scottish Rite, is a concordant body of Masonry, and confers degrees beyond the Craft Lodge's three degrees. It consists of nine additional degrees: Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason; the Cryptic Degrees of the Royal Master, Select Master, and Super Excellent Master; and the Chivalric Orders of the Order of the Red Cross, Order of the Knights of Malta and the Order of Knights Templar. The Temple degrees, which comprise the top degrees of the York Rite are specifically Christian. Or at least, it can be stated that the oath is: in some Grand Lodges in Canada, the US and abroad, one need not be a Christian, but rather only be willing to take a Christian OATH. The difference here is that there are some who would willingly swear to defend the Christian faith on the grounds that they would defend any man's faith. The Chapter (or Royal Arch) and Council Of Royal And Select Masters (Cryptic Rite), which comprise the first two sections of the York Rite, are not specifically Christian. As with most things Masonic, discuss any concerns with your local York Rite, who can advise you regarding your eligibility. Click here
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The Shrine was founded in 1872 (the Mecca Temple in New York City) and an Arabic theme was chosen. Hence, the distinctive red fez that Shriners wear at official functions. Members of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles the Mystic Shrine for North America (AAONMS is an anagram for "A MASON") were, up until recently members of the Scottish Rite's 32nd degree, and/or Knights Templer of the York Rite. Any Master Mason in good standing may petition the Shrine for membership. The Shrine is most noted for its emphasis on philanthropy and its jolly outlook on life - it has been called "the playground of Masonry". This is expressed as "Pleasure without intemperance, hospitality without rudeness, and jollity without coarseness." The Royal Order of Jesters is a group drawn
from Shrine membership, by invitation only.
The Order of the Eastern Star is an adoptive rite of Freemasonry with teachings based on the Bible and objectives that are charitable and benevolent. The founder of OES was Dr. Robert Morris, a lawyer and educator from Boston, Massachusetts, who was a Master Mason and Past Grand Master of Kentucky. Dr. Morris intended his creation to become a female branch of Freemasonry, but he failed to overcome the great opposition this idea engendered. After his first published ritual in 1849-50, he became associated with Robert Macoy who wrote and published a ritual based on Morris' in 1867. The first Grand Chapter was organized in Michigan in the same year. (There is evidence for an organization of the same name founded variously in 1788 or 1793, but this group was defunct by 1867.) Subordinate (local) chapters operate under charter from state level grand chapters which are responsible to the General Grand Chapter at the International Eastern Star temple in Washington, D.C. Members must be eighteen years or older and either Master Masons in good standing or properly related to a Master Mason in good standing. The latter category includes wives; widows; sisters; daughters; mothers; granddaughters; step-mothers; step daughters; step-sisters; and half-sisters. In 1994 this was expanded to include nieces, daughters-in-law, and grandmothers. Each chapter has eighteen officers, some elected and others appointed. Two offices are specifically male (Patron and Associate Patron) while nine offices are specifically female (including Matron and Associate Matron). While the Worthy Matron is considered to be the presiding officer of the chapter, the degrees cannot be conferred without a presiding brother in good standing (hence the Patron and Associate Patron). Each chapter retains the right to decide who shall be a member of the organization. Election to the degrees must be unanimous, without debate, and secret. The successful candidate must profess a belief in a Supreme Being and is initiated in five degrees, which are conferred in one ceremony. (When Eastern Star was created, it was intended to be the first of a three degree series. The second and third degrees were Queen of the South and the Order of the Amaranth, respectively.) Interestingly enough, OES requires only
the belief in a Supreme Being even though the degrees are based in both
the Old and New Testaments. While non-Christians are not specifically barred
from membership, it would seem to be difficult to be other than Christian
and belong to the Order.
The International Order of DeMolay is the world's largest fraternal organization for young men between the ages of 13 and 21. The Order was founded in Kansas City, Missouri on March 24, 1919 by Frank Sherman Land. DeMolay Chapters are sponsored by Masonic Lodges, and some members of the sponsoring body also serve as Advisors on the Chapter's Advisory Council. Structurally, it is similar to Masonry. The officers of a Chapter are the Master Councilor, Senior Councilor, Junior Councilor, Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Senior Steward, Junior Steward, Orator, Scribe, Marshal, Chaplain, Standard Bearer, Sentinel, Almoner, and seven Preceptors. DeMolay is the premier youth organization dedicated to teaching young men to be better persons and leaders. Under the "advisorship" of adults; leadership skills, civic awareness, responsibility, and character development are learned through a variety of self directed, real world applications and activities. DeMolay builds confidence; teaches responsibility, cooperation and community service; and fosters trust, respect, fellowship, patriotism, reverence, and sharing. DeMolay Chapters hold monthly or bi-weekly meetings with Masonic-like Ritual. Other activities include athletic tournaments and events, social functions (joint activities with Rainbow are encouraged), fund-raising activities, Masonic service activities, and civic and philanthropic activities. The Order's namesake is Jacques DeMolay,
who was the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar and who was executed
by the Inquisition on March 18, 1314. Louis Lower, the first DeMolay, and
his group of friends, when asked by Dad Land to choose a name for their
group, believed that his heroic fidelity and loyalty to his fellow Templars
were qualities with which they wanted their group to be identified. Mind
you, Dad Land
The International Order of Rainbow for Girls
The Reverend W. Mark Sexson had been asked
to make an address before South McAlester Chapter #149. As the DeMolay
had come under his close study and observation during his Masonic activities',
he became more and more conscious of the fact that an Order for girls setting
forth some of the truths of Masonry would be necessary. He asked the regular
officers of South McAlester Chapter No. 148, O.E.S., to exemplify the work.
The first class of girls that was initiated into the Order consisted of
a class of 171 girls, on April 6, 1922, in the auditorium of the Scottish
Rite Temple, McAlester, Oklahoma.
Some other Masonic
organizations
Acacia Fraternity was founded on May 12, 1904 at the
University of Michigan by fourteen Master Masons. The group was an outgrowth of
the University of Michigan Masonic Club. Acacia's founders established a
fraternity on a new basis. Membership was restricted to those who had already
taken the Masonic obligations, and the organization was to be built on the
ideals and principles inculcated by the vows already taken by Master Masons. The
members were to be motivated by a desire for high scholarship and of such
character that the fraternity house would be free of the social vices and
unbecoming activities that for years had been a blot on the fraternity life of
the nation.
About three hundred years ago in Sweden, a little girl just six years old named Christina became the ruler of that country. As she grew to womanhood, she was very fond of things beautiful, cultured and of social importance. During her reign as Queen, she created the Order of the Amarantha for the ladies and knights of her royal court, building it around the character of Lady Amarantha, who was portrayed as being a beautiful, virtuous and talented Lady of the Court. In 1860, Brother James B. Taylor from Newark, NJ, attempted to compose the material to start a New "Society". He learned that in 1653, Queen Christina of Sweden, had combined a group of "Sir Knights" and "Ladies" together to have "gala" parties. She called this group the "Order of the Amaranta". Brother Taylor was so impressed with what he had read that he copied many of the symbols and much of the phraseology used therein. He even copied the name, the "Order of the Amaranth". The Order of the Amaranth is a fraternal organization composed of Master Masons and their properly qualified female relatives. In its teachings, the members are emphatically reminded of their duties to God, to their country and to their fellow beings. They are urged to portray, by precept and example, their belief in the "Golden Rule" and by conforming to the virtues inherent in TRUTH, FAITH, WISDOM and CHARITY they can prove to others the goodness promulgated by the Order. Some of the Charities of the Order of Amaranth:
The main goals of El Jaala Daughters of Mokanna are to
provide a social meeting place for the ladies of El Jaala Grotto, to support the
programs of El Jaala Grotto and the Grotto Supreme Council, and to support
masonic programs, facilities, and charities.
An international auxiliary organization
for the wives, mothers, daughters, widows, and sisters of members of the
Shrine that has prospered as a charitable and social group since 1913,
serving the children at Shriners Hospitals.
Founded in the summer of 1889 a group of Master Masons, members of Hamilton Lodge #120 at Hamilton, New York. On 13 June 1890, the Fairchild Committee duly established and formed the Supreme Council, Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm (MOVPER). The Mystic Order of Vailed Prophets of
the Enchanted Realm, whose subordinate bodies are the Grotto's, is an organization
by and for Master Masons. While in no way connected with Masonry proper,
its membership is restricted absolutely and exclusively to Master Masons
in good standing. Although it is an organization for good wholesome fun
and frolic, it also has its serious side. Its slogan is "GOOD FELLOWSHIP"
and in contact with our fellow man, this principal is exemplified to a
marked degree.
Founded in Sioux City, Iowa, on May 17,
1921 by E.C. "Wallie" Wolcott. It is an organization of Master Masons who
support Masonic causes with special emphasis on youth and patriotic events.
Mrs. Ethel T. Wead Mick founded the International Order of Jobs Daughters in Omaha. Nebraska, in 1920. The purpose of the Order was to band together young girls with Masonic relationship for character building through moral and spiritual development by teaching a greater reverence for God and the Holy Scriptures: loyalty to the Flag and the Country for which it stands, and respect for parents and Guardians. Enrolls girls between the ages of 11 and
20 that have some Masonic relative. They must profess a belief in God,
the Ten Commandments, and the Lord's prayer.
The Philalethes Society was founded on
01 October 1928, by a group of Masonic students. It was designed
for Freemasons desirous of seeking and spreading Masonic light.
An organization for Christian Masons who
have been 32nd degree Masons or Knights Templar for five or more years.
The order is based upon the Christian Religion. Its teachings are scriptural and intended to illustrate and impress on the mind of the initiate the humble but glorious birth and life of the glad tidings of the coming of the King and endeavor to bring to the world, "Peace on Earth, Good will to men." To do noble deeds, and by acts of kindness and words of cheer bless all mankind. The White Shrine of Jerusalem Claims a three-fold purpose; charitable, social, and fraternal . It aims to bring together women & men with high moral and social character to share their desire to create enjoyable experiences for themselves and to provide aid to those less fortunate. Through regular meetings, their fellowship is maintained. And by visiting others, broad friendships are developed. Membership in the Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem consists of the wives, daughters, stepdaughters , stepmothers, step granddaughters, legally adopted daughters, mothers, grandmothers, widows, sisters, half-sisters, granddaughters, great granddaughters, aunts and those nieces and grand nieces of Master Masons who have a blood relationship to him, when said Master Mason is in good and regular standing, and those whose husbands, sons, fathers, stepfathers , stepsons, step grandfathers, grandsons, brothers, grandfathers, nephews, or uncles, if deceased, were in good standing in some regular Masonic Lodge at their death, or Master Masons in good and regular standing and who have no restraining factors imposed upon them by their specific Grand Lodge.
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