THE ENGLISH ROYAL ARCH
Why Join the Royal Arch?
Craft Masonry is a
progressive science concentrating on our moral and social duties in the
materialistic world, each degree building upon the preceding degree. The Royal
Arch commences from the point where the Master Mason’s degree ends and takes
the Craft teachings into another context
You will have heard
the expression “The Royal Arch is the completion of the Third Degree”. This
statement is incorrect, both the Third Degree and the Exaltation are complete
ceremonies in themselves, what the Royal Arch does is to complete ones journey
through Pure, Antient Freemasonry when what is lost in the Third Degree is
revealed in a colourful and fascinating ceremony.
The Royal Arch is
the “Summit and Perfection of Pure,
Antient Freemasonry” said a senior member of the Craft
Perhaps you may now
begin to appreciate why the Royal Arch is such a natural and essential first
step for every Master Mason. This point is emphasised by the fact that the
Order is described as the SUPREME Order and Candidates are EXALTED into the
Order.
When is the best time to join?
When
you are entirely comfortable with your Craft Masonry. The ceremony of
Exaltation is deeply allegorical, and because Chapters do not meet as often as
Lodges, it will take longer to fully understand and appreciate the finer points
of its teachings. It is worth giving yourself the opportunity of just sitting
back and absorbing the full meaning of the beautiful ceremonial before taking
on a substantive office.
How to I become a Royal Arch Mason?
Any
Royal Arch Companion will be pleased to propose you if you ask him.
Alternatively he might quite easily invite you. You will then be proposed,
seconded and balloted for just as you were when you entered Craft Masonry.
Qualifications for Membership?
The
qualification for Exaltation into the Royal Arch is simply that you must have
been a Master Mason for at least four weeks. You are not restricted to joining
the Chapter that may be associated with your Lodge; you will be made welcome in
any Chapter of your choice.
Progression.
Until
recently, only Installed Masters of a Craft Lodge were permitted to progress
through the Principals Chairs, this is not the case today. The privilege of
becoming First Principal of a Royal Arch Chapter is open to any experienced
Mason who has demonstrated his ability to undertake this very important Office.
He must however have served the Office of Scribe or Sojourner for one year.
How much time is involved?
Royal Arch Chapters do not meet as frequently as Craft Lodges;
the average is four meetings per year. The meeting dates and location of Chapters
in this Province can be found by clicking
here
If you feel that you would like to discuss any aspect of the Royal
Arch, please feel absolutely free to contact Keith Roberts at
Joining the Royal Arch is a serious commitment and whilst the
subject will be freely discussed, care will be taken to ensure that the
information given will not spoil the surprise and joy that every Candidate
experiences at his Exaltation, neither will any attempt be made to persuade you
to join the Order against your better judgement.