1. 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.
2. 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 every day 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
FreeMasonry, the Temple is never completed. In the Most Excellent Master
degree, we are taught the lessons of the comletion 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 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.
3. 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.
4. 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 altars. 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.
