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With fall now upon us, and Grand Lodge
approaching I hope that this year has been one of enlightenment and brotherhood. If you plan on
attending Grand Lodge please call or e-mail Worshipful John Frank to coordinate the weekend. Grand Lodge
is November 8th – 11th in Richmond.
Worshipful John Dudley will be our guest speaker on Founder’s Night, and Brother Jim
Smith will be speaking on Royal Arch Masonry, the meaning of the veils and officer stations. I have
included some further information on the Royal Arch for your reading pleasure.
What Royal Arch Masonry is
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.
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 for Roayal Arch Masonry
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 in the Royal Arch
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 Degree
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.
Our youth night in September was very interesting with Dr. John
Young speaking on the Knight’s Templar. I appreciate all of the youth that attended our Honoring Youth
Night. In follow up to Youth Night, we will be serving refreshments for the Job’s Daughters at their
November 20th meeting. We are having a game night with the DeMolay, and will be having another activity
with the Fairfax Rainbow Assembly.
Thank you to all who supported the 54th Masonic District’s Blood Drive at Sharon Lodge on September
15th, and attending the annual Ladies Night.
Most Worshipful Stewart Wilson Miner will be receiving his 50 year pin at our second stated meeting in
November as a joint communication with Andrew Jackson Lodge in Alexandria.
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