WHY YOU A MASTER MASON SHOULD BE INTERESTED IN THE YORK RITE
OF FREEMASONRY
THE YORK RITE CONSISTS OF FOUR DISTINCT AND SEPARATE SOVEREIGN MASONIC
BODIES:
- The Symbolic Lodge
- The Chapter of Royal Arch Masons
- The Council of Cryptic Masons
- The Commandery of Knights Templar
SYMBOLIC MASONRY
The symbolic degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master
Mason, as conferred in the United States, are degrees of the York Rite.
York Masonry is the oldest and best known of all Masonic Rites. It takes
its name from York, England, where the earliest known record of Masonry
exists, dating from about A.D. 923. Masonry's first written record is
centered around York, the seat of the Ancient York Grand Lodge. In 1813,
this Grand Lodge merged with another group called the Modern Grand Lodge,
to form the United Grand Lodge of England. This is the basis upon which
our present system of Symbolic Lodge Masonry is built. You, as a Master
Mason, have received the first three degrees of the York Rite. Having
begun your Masonic work in the York Rite, it is natural that you should
want to continue with it. According to Masonic legend, every man raised
to the sublime degree of a Master Mason received "substitute secrets",
as the "true secrets" were lost. It may prove a surprise to the average
man, believing his work is completed, to be told that the secrets pertaining
to the ceremony will not be given to him! This is unfortunate, but the
veil is lifted in the degree of the Royal Arch, and in that degree only.
Hence, no man actually becomes a Master Mason until he is exalted to
that holy order. Some would have the newly raised Master Mason believe
that he can receive the secrets and word in a degree other than the
Royal Arch. This is not true, historically or otherwise. The mother
Grand Lodge of England was so emphatic regarding the necessity of the
Royal Arch degree that many years ago, it set forth this as Paragraph
One (1) of its Laws and Regulations: "By the solemn act of the union
between the two Grand Lodges of Freemasons of England in December, 1813,
it was declared and pronounced that Pure Ancient Masonry consists of
three degrees and no more, viz: those of the Entered Apprentice, the
Fellowcraft, and the Master Mason, INCLUDING THE SUPREME ORDER OF THE
HOLY ROYAL ARCH." On the North American Continent, there are additional
degrees in the system, supplementing the work of the Lodge, Chapter,
and Council, and the Orders conferred in the Commandery have been arranged
into a system or Rite referred to as the American, Canadian, or York
Rite of Freemasonry. It is American in structure, as it is a democratic
organization in which every member has a voice and a right to be heard.
ROYAL ARCH MASONRY
The various local Chapters operate under the jurisdiction of the "Grand
Chapter" of each state, which in turn is governed by the General Grand
Chapter of Royal Arch Masons International. The General Grand Chapter
constitutes the largest Masonic Body in the world. The Chapter confers
four degrees (Capitular Degrees), giving a complete story of Masonic
symbolism, in the following order: Mark Master Past Master (Virtual)
Most Excellent Master Royal Arch The Mark Master degree is perhaps the
oldest Masonic degree, and is one of the most highly respected. It teaches
practical lessons for everyday living. This degree supplements the Fellowcraft
Degree. The Past Master degree teaches the candidate the important duties
and responsibilities of the Oriental Chair, and is qualification for
advancement. It is commonly known that the symbolism of Freemasonry
surrounds the building of the Temple. In symbolic Free- Masonry, the
Temple is never completed. In the Most Excellent Master degree, we are
taught the lessons of the completion and dedication of the Temple. In
the degree of the Royal Arch, the epitome of Masonic symbolism is found.
It has been said "the Royal Arch is the root, heart and marrow of Masonry,
without knowledge of which the Masonic character cannot be complete".
The Royal Arch degree is the completion of the whole system of Freemasonry.
Having begun regular advancement through the Symbolic Lodge, it is the
duty of each Master Mason to complete the degree series. He who has
sought further Masonic education should return to the Symbolic Lodge,
retrace his steps and advance through the Rite until he can receive
the climax of Masonic symbolism, as taught in the Royal Arch. Only those
who have attained the Royal Arch may be said to have completed their
Masonic Work.
CRYPTIC MASONRY
The Councils of Cryptic Masons operate under the jurisdiction of the
Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of each state and most Grand Councils
operate under the General Grand Council of the United States. They confer
the following three degrees: Royal Master Select Master Super Excellent
Master Without the Royal and Select Master degrees, neither the Master
Mason degree nor the Royal Arch degree is complete. These two degrees
account for the concealment and preservation of the treasures revealed
in the Royal Arch. The Super Excellent Master is an honorary degree,
qualifications for which are fulfilled by virtue of being in good standing
in a Council. This degree is the most dramatic and spectacular of all
Masonic systems.
KNIGHT TEMPLAR MASONRY
Local Commanderies are governed by the Grand Commandery of each jurisdiction,
and they in turn by the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the U.S.A.
In the Commandery, the Chivalric Orders of Christian Knighthood are
conferred as follows: The Illustrious Order of the Red Cross The Order
of Knight of Malta The Order of the Temple The Illustrious Order of
the Red Cross is founded upon Truth - a divine attribute, the foundation
of every virtue. Knights of Malta. First called Knights Hospitallers
of St. John of Jerusalem are known to have been in existence as early
as 1099 A.D. It was the first organized body whose avowed purpose was
the aid and care of those injured on a battlefield. The teaching of
Christian applications of Masonic precepts begins with this Order. The
Order of the Temple is the crowning glory of York Rite Masonry. It is
widely regarded as the most solemn and impressive experience in Masonry.
Here the aspirant progresses in the footsteps of Jesus of Nazareth.
At the empty tomb grows a sprig of acacia, teaching that we shall dwell
forever in the realms of life and light eternal. Freemasonry demands
only a belief in a monotheistic God, where Hindu, Muslim, Jew and Gentile
may together worship around its alters. The Christian Freemason alone
has at his disposal a branch of the fraternity where he is free to interpret
the teachings of the Symbolic Lodge according to his religious belief.
The Masonic Orders of Christian Knighthood are the logical outcome of
the Christian Mason's belief in Christ as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
That Mason believes Christ's hand will raise the dead to life, and in
His Holy Name the True Word is found and restored at last. "In the beginning
was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God".
WHAT DOES YORK RITE MASONRY OFFER?
The noble heritage of York Masonry is yours to take. The regular meetings
of the various grades are conducive to firmer relationships and a closer
spirit of brotherly love. Being a York Rite Mason does not mean you
are elevated to a "higher rank'. It is an educational tool to help you
realize the Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Man in your own life.
We trust the foregoing has increased your interest in the York Rite.
We invite you to claim this heritage.
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