Lodge Mentor Scheme. Part 4. The Royal Arch

Transcription

1 Province of Cumberland & Westmorland Lodge Mentor Scheme Part 4 The Royal Arch

2 Contents Introduction... 3 The Royal Arch... 3 The Royal Arch and the Third Degree... 3 What is the Royal Arch?... 4 Who is eligible to become a Royal Arch Mason?... 5 When is it best to join the Royal Arch?... 6 Revised March

3 Introduction A Master Mason is eligible to join the Royal Arch, more commonly known as The Chapter after 4 weeks has elapsed since being raised to the 3 rd Degree (exactly the same time period between each of the previous degrees). Whilst it is not obligatory to join the Royal Arch, it is strongly recommended as the next step in your Craft journey as without becoming a member you are missing the final part of the Craft story and the dramatic discovery of the word of a Master Mason which was lost by the untimely death of Hiram Abif in the Third Degree. The Royal Arch The Book of Constitutions for the Craft, which you were given when you were initiated, contains, towards the end of the book, a complete section about the Supreme Grand Chapter of the Order of Royal Arch Masons of England. At the Union of the two Grand Lodges in December, 1813 it was declared and pronounced that pure Antient Masonry consists of three degrees and no more, viz, those of the Entered Apprentice, the Fellow Craft and the Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch. This declaration can be found in the Book of Constitutions at page 1. The Royal Arch and the Third Degree Craft Masonry is very old and to understand its links with the Royal Arch it helps to know some of its history. Almost three hundred years ago, in 1717, the first Grand Lodge in the world was formed in London.. This Grand Lodge later became known as the Moderns. In 1751 another group of freemasons, also in London, founded a second Grand Lodge which became known as the Antients. Until 1813 these two Grand Lodges worked as rivals, each one antagonistic towards the other. 3

4 Before the formation of either of these Grand Lodges there were only two degrees worked in Craft Masonry, but by the late 1750s this had extended to three Degrees and these were worked by both Grand Lodges. Each was working similar ceremonies although with slightly different forms of ritual. In Antients Grand Lodges a fourth degree was emerging called the Royal Arch. This particular degree grew out of the many hundreds of degrees at that time practiced in the UK and on the Continent of Europe. The Moderns Grand Lodge never officially accepted this fourth degree considering it not to be part of original masonry. This created a major obstacle when the two Grand Lodges negotiated to unite in 1813 to form the United Grand Lodge of England. To overcome these difficulties the Craft was limited to three degrees to satisfy the Moderns and the Royal Arch, at the time, became the completion of the Third Degree. It was formally founded as a separate organisation four years later although it s ruling and administrative Officers are the same persons as those in the Craft. This relationship between the two organisations does not exist in any other Masonic Degree or Order. In many Provinces, including Cumberland and Westmorland, the Provincial Grand Master is also the Grand Superintendent, the Provincial Ruler of the Royal Arch. Usually the Provincial Grand Secretary and the Provincial Grand Scribe E (the Royal Arch name for the Secretary) are the same person. What is the Royal Arch? The Royal Arch is an addition to the Third Degree. It is regarded as the summit and perfection of Antient Masonry. You will recall that in the Third Degree the genuine secrets of a Master Mason were lost due to the untimely death of our Master, Hiram Abif. The Royal Arch story or ceremony, deals with the eventual rediscovery of those secrets and in so doing completes the full story and teachings of Craft Masonry. In the Royal Arch, the Principles of Craft Masonry are extended to encompass eternity. In this way we are led to think, not only about our relationship to one another but also our relationship to the Divine Creator. This does not make Masonry a religion, but provides an important link with our own personal faith, whatever that may be. Many freemasons have found from the colourful friendly companionship of the Chapter, a stronger happy relationship with their fellow freemasons is developed. 4

5 Back in the 18 th Century, the Royal Arch was generally conferred in a Craft Lodge, but with the foundation of the Supreme Grand Chapter of England in 1817, it has since been conferred in a separate meeting called a Chapter. The Chapter is separate to, although at one time had to be associated with a Craft Lodge whose number it also bore. Recent changes in the Regulations brought about by the amalgamation or closure of some Lodges, the requirement for a Chapter to be attached to a specific Lodge has been amended. The majority of Chapters also have the same name as the Craft Lodge to which they were once required to be attached although some of the very old Chapters have a different name. Annual subscriptions are normally much lower than those in a Craft Lodge as Royal Arch Chapters do not meet as often. Some meet twice a year, others five times, with four meetings a year being the average. Unlike your Craft Lodge, a Royal Arch Chapter is ruled by Three Principals who are to be considered conjointly and each severally as the Master in a Craft Lodge. The status of the 2 nd and 3 rd Principal does not correspond in any sense to that of Wardens in a Craft Lodge. The Chapter members are called Companions and the regalia worn in the Chapter is similar yet different to that worn in a Craft Lodge. It consists of an apron, a sash and a breast jewel, all very colourful. A Royal Arch Mason can easily be identified in a Craft Lodge because he is allowed, indeed expected, to wear his Royal Arch Jewel with his Craft regalia. This is another example of the close link between the Craft and the Royal Arch. The Royal Arch breast jewel is the only jewel a Craft Mason is allowed to wear in a Craft Lodge that is not a Craft jewel. A Companion in the Chapter wears a breast jewel with a white ribbon. The three Principals and Past Principals wear a scarlet ribbon while a Provincial Officer and a Grand Officer wear a jewel on a three coloured ribbon of light blue, scarlet and dark blue. Who is eligible to become a Royal arch Mason? Originally only brethren who had been Master of a Lodge could join the Royal Arch. At the end of his year in the Chair, a Past Master, as he would now be, would often be exalted into the Royal Arch. It was in 1822 that eligibility was reduced to having been one year as a Master Mason but almost seventy years later this was changed to four weeks as a Master Mason. That period of time still applies, that is, four weeks after becoming a Master Mason you are eligible to become a Royal Arch Mason. 5

6 When is it best to join the Royal Arch? There are many Degrees and Orders in Freemasonry, but undoubtedly the first one you should consider joining is the Royal Arch because it completes the full picture and understanding of Craft Masonry. It is impossible to state a specific time when a Craft Mason should join the Royal Arch. It is essential you should feel comfortable and relaxed with membership of the Craft. However, there is much to do and learn about Masonry from membership of the Royal Arch. By joining early, learning and becoming proficient in the ritual of the Junior Offices helps to provide a very sound basis for later progression. Since the Royal Arch complements the teachings of the Craft, it is better to join at an early stage since it also helps with understanding the basic principals of Craft Masonry as well as providing a better understanding of Craft ritual. Craft Masonry teaches you to unite in the grand design of being happy and communicating happiness. Unless you are happy you are not likely to appreciate the full benefits of freemasonry. It is something you should enjoy; the ceremonies, symbolism, teachings, its fellowship and friendship. However, this must all fit into the pattern of your life and must not conflict with the claims upon your time, which you owe to your family, business and other activities. Your Masonic activities will be rewarding and will provide you with friendship and happiness but you should not extend these activities until you are willing and able to make any additional commitment that involvement requires. The more you add to your knowledge of Freemasonry the greater the benefit you can obtain from its teachings. To do this you will need to extend your fellowship within Masonry without damaging your family or work commitments. Having considered all this, greater benefit will be received, by joining the Royal Arch sooner rather than later, always remembering that step must be compatible with your other essential commitments. Search out the Royal Arch Contact in your Lodge who will be pleased to give you further information about becoming a member. 6

7 NOTES 7

8 For further information contact: Provincial Grand Mentor W. Bro. Terry Crellin Prospect Place, Temple Sowerby, Penrith, CA10 1RZ Tel: Designed & Printed by Grosvenor House Papers Limited