The Chapter of Royal Arch Masons
The Chapter degrees are a natural extension and culmination of the tale begun
in the Blue Lodge. The first three Chapter degrees, Mark Master, Past Master,
and Most Excellent Master, develop more fully and expand on the theme of the
Temple of King Solomon. The Royal Arch degree concerns itself with the
destruction of this Temple by the Babylonians, the "Babylonian Captivity" of the
Jews, and their return to Zion after seventy years to begin building the Second
Temple, that of Zerubbabel. In the course of this reconstruction, that which was
lost at the death of the Architect of the First Temple is recovered. Let us look
at each degree in turn:
MARK MASTER:
The candidate represents a young Fellowcraft,
who, finding a particularly beautiful piece of work, attempts to pass it off as
his own and is detected as an impostor. In due time, he is taught the proper
manner of receiving his wages. This degree especially teaches two striking
lessons: (1) to relieve a Brother's needs when possible; and (2) to be satisfied
with one's wages. The first lesson bears a close affinity to the Rite of
Destitution performed in the Entered Apprentice degree, with the difference here
being the timely rendering of assistance as well as a rational explanation of
the purpose of the "mark". The second lesson, occurring as it does at the
conclusion of the degree, blends a well-known New Testament parable with the
reception of wages by the Craftsmen on payday at the First Temple, and gives
allusion to the value inscribed on the "mark".The symbols peculiar to this
degree are the keystone, the chisel, and the mallet. The keystone is explained
as the crowning piece of excellence wrought by GMHA for use in completing the
Temple. Symbolically, it may be taken to represent the culmination of our
efforts in erecting the moral-spiritual temple of our lives; that pure soul
which we present to the Supreme Grand Overseer for His final inspection upon the
Day of Judgement. The symbolism of the chisel and mallet are explained during
the course of the degree. However, they be also be symbolized by the mallet as
that thoughtfully applied intellectual force which we can use to free our minds
and thoughts from common and trivial errors and vices, and by the chisel as the
sculpturing of our minds thus freed into that keystone whose excellent virtues
are faith, hope and charity.
PAST MASTER:
This degree teaches the candidate the important
duties and obligations that he must assume before he can preside over a lodge.
In some states, this degree, or one very similar to it, is conferred on a
Master-elect before he can be installed. Since in most Masonic bodies, the
presiding officer serves because he has been freely elected by his brethren, he
must not take advantage of their trust by governing in an arbitrary or haughty
manner. He also has a duty to use his best efforts to strive to improve the
organization, both through growth and program. What good is a leader who doesn't
lead? How does the organization grow or prosper without interesting and timely
programs and activities? The lesson implicit in this degree is one of dynamic
leadership. The principal symbol is the Holy Bible, which should be the wise
counselor and intimate friend of every Masonic leader, as well as the blueprint
for conducting his Lodge and his life.
MOST EXCELLENT MASTER:
This degree consists of two sections.
In the first section, the candidate assumes the obligation and is made aware of
the loss of GMHA. In the second section, the candidate witnesses the completion
and dedication of King Solomon's Temple. He marches in procession to the Temple,
sees the keystone placed,hears the sublime dedicatory prayer of King Solomon,
witnesses the Sanctum Sanctorum adorned and consecrated, observes the holy Ark
of the Covenant placed in position and the acceptance by the Lord of the
sacrifice offered unto Him. He, along with the other Temple workmen, is promoted
from Fellowcraft to the rank of Most Excellent Master, a surrogate for the
Master Mason degree. This degree teaches that he who would achieve his dreams
and goals must persevere steadily along the paths of knowledge and virtue,
coupling these with diligent industry and a firm reliance upon God. The dominant
symbol of this degree is the Temple itself, symbolic of the spiritual building
which we are constantly laboring upon each day of our lives, and which will be
completed only upon our death and dedicated when we present the record of our
lives and actions unto the Judge Supreme.
ROYAL ARCH:
This degree completes the Chapter. It also
consists of two sections. The first section presents a narrative, usually
accompanied by slides, telling of Moses' experience at the Burning Bush and
progressing in time to the edict of Darius freeing the captive Jews to return to
Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. The candidate represents one of those
sojourners returning from Babylon to the Holy City. After travelling over
difficult and dangerous ways he reaches his goal. In the second second, he gains
admission into the presence of the Grand Council comprised of Jeshua (High
Priest), Zerubabbel (King) and Haggai (Prophet, or Scribe). Upon expressing his
desire to aid in the labor of reconstruction, he toils among the ruins of the
Temple and makes several valuable and significant discoveries, which include a
replica of the Ark of the Covenant, the Lost Word, and the Royal Arch Word. Two
important symbols of this degree are the Burning Bush in the First Section,
symbolic of the power of God to intervene directly in our life and change its
direction as suits His divine will; and the Underground Vault in the Second
Section, which symbolizes those latent moral and spiritual qualities lying deep
within us which are discovered and brought to view by means of the working tools
(degrees of Freemasonry): crowbar (EA degree), pickax (Fellowcraft degree), and
spade (Master Mason degree).
A Royal Arch Chapter has 13 officers, in order of rank: High Priest, King,
Scribe, Capt. of the Host, Secretary, Treasurer, Chaplain, Principal Sojourner,
Royal Arch Captain, Master of 3rd Veil, Master of 2nd Veil, Master of 1st Veil,
Sentinel. Some jurisdictions also have a Marshal. Members are styled
"Companions". At least 9 Companions must be present to open a Chapter. Chapters
usually meet monthly. The state governing body is the Grand Chapter. The
national body, to which Grand Chapters voluntarily belong, is the General Grand
Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, International.
ORDER OF HIGH PRIESTHOOD:
This is a side, or "chair" degree,
and is conferred on present or past High Priests, usually during the time of the
state Grand Chapter meeting. It tells the story of Abraham returning from the
slaughter of the kings, and his encounter with Melchizedek, High Priest of
Salem. The candidate participates in a breaking of bread and sharing of wine,
assumes an obligation to preside justly over his Chapter, and to regard all
Companion High Priests as true friends and brothers. He is then solemnly
anointed, consecrated and set apart to the Holy Order of High Priesthood.
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