Peoria York Rite Bodies
3819 N. Prospect Rd, (Peoria Heights Area) Peoria,
Illinois 61614-7767
Phone No. (309) 688-8859
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Peoria Chapter No. 7
A Master Mason may join a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons and receive the four degrees of this organization.
4th Degree- Mark Master appreciates earning a day's wages. The work on the Temple continues. Amplifying the Fellow Craft Degree, we are taught that the 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.
5th Degree- Past Master practices wisdom in his judgment. 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 that he must learn to obey before he can rule, and to govern himself before he can govern others.
6th Degree- Most Excellent Master sojourns through the wilderness to arrive among friends who appreciate him. 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 the Most Excellent Masters, empowered to travel and receive Master's Wages, and charged them with the responsibility of sharing their Masonic Light and Knowledge with those less informed.
7th Degree - The Royal Arch find
Rebuilding the temple Rewarding. In this degree we find the completion of the
Master's Degree and the Recovery of the Lost 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 70
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 the 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 set up.
The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of Illinois
Royal Arch Chapter - Visitation Program: 2005-2006
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