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.
No Rite of Freemasonry covers the world so much as does Royal Arch Masonry. In every country of the earth, on every continent and on many isles of the sea, Will be found Royal Arch Chapters, eager and willing to receive their companions from other parts of the world into that full fellowship that characterizes Royal Arch Masonry.
In Royal Arch Masonry is found the essentials of symbolism and philosophy necessary for a Master Mason to understand that which he has received only in part.
Probably there is no other Masonic order more closely associated with the symbolic or Mother Lodge than the Capitular Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. In fact, the fourth and final Degree of the present Capitular Degrees as conferred in the Chapters, that of Royal Arch Mason, was formerly a Degree of the Lodge for which only actual Past Masters were eligible. This Degree was taken from the Lodge system as practiced in the Old World from which it originated when the first Chapters were organized in the early 18th Century in our country. On the union of the Grand Lodges in 1813, a part of the compact of union read, "Ancient Craft Masonry consists of three degrees and no more, namely, those of the Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason including the Holy Royal Arch."
This Degree along with the Mark Master's Degree and two others comprise Capitular Masonry as it exists in our modern day. Some of the lessons taught in the philosophy of the symbolic or "Blue Lodge" can be better understood and appreciated if experienced with the supplementary information involving the Ancient Craft Masonry of the Old Testament Era of the Bible, as portrayed in both the Capitular Degrees of the Royal Arch Chapter and the Cryptic Degrees of the Council of Royal and Select Masters.
Upon your exaltation as a Royal Arch Mason you will become a member of the oldest and largest rite of Freemasonry. 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.
On a national level, Royal Arch Masons support a project or philanthropy known as Royal Arch Research Assistance, and abbreviated "RARA". The purpose of this research is to determine the reason that some individuals, particularly children, experience learning difficulties through a disorder of the inner ear, which does not properly transmit sounds to the brain so that it may correctly interpret them. The resulting conflict in hearing by children who experience this disorder leads to both learning and behavioral difficulties. Progress is being made through research, but it is a complex process requiring much research before perfecting a complete cure.
The Chapter of Royal Arch Masonry consists of four degrees, Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason.
This is the first of the four degrees in the Chapter, and in it, the candidate is still symbolically laboring on an unfinished temple, he is taught the nobility of labor and that in the erection of his moral and spiritual temple he must determine and prepare the materials of which that temple is to be constructed and to have due care that in so doing the work which he shall present, bearing his mark, shall be such as to designate him as one worthy of admission to “that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
This degree also teaches us to discharge our several duties punctually and with precision, the duty of assisting a distressed brother is forcibly illustrated. Historically the degree illustrates the process by which the work on the temple accomplished by each craftsman was identified.
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 Master Degree came into being because originally the degree of Royal Arch was conferred only on actual Past Masters of a Symbolic (Blue) Lodge. This restriction prevented many worthy brethren from receiving the full information of the degrees of Freemasonry. Eventually’ it was conferred upon all candidates for the Royal Arch Degree. The brother receiving it in that manner is a Virtual, not an Actual, Past Master; that is, the conferring of this degree by a Chapter gives a brother no rights as a Past Master in a Symbolic Lodge unless he has actually served as Master of his Lodge.
The degree of Past Master was instituted in order to conform to tradition and to make it possible for worthy brethren to receive the Royal Arch degree. It teaches that he who would rule others must first learn to rule himself. The first record of its conferral is found in 1768 in England.
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.
It recites or dramatizes the historical incidents or events surrounding the completion and dedication of King Solomon’s Temple. Here the Mason sees for the first time completed the construction of the Temple on which he has symbolically labored in all previous degrees. Symbolically it represents the building of life and character and the reward, which come to him who faithfully performs this task. Also this degree emphasizes the opportunity and obligation of Companions to disseminate light and knowledge to less informed brethren.
Except the Masters Degree no Masonic Degree is more important in its historical and symbolic significance than this. In some form it appears in every Rite, but only here does its history, its symbolism, its lessons show so vividly its connection with the Master Mason degree and the fact that it is, indeed, the final chapter of that essential degree of Freemasonry. The Royal Arch Degree is the climax or culmination of Ancient Craft Masonry and Masonic Symbolism for here we find that which was lost-the word for which you were given a substitute in the Master Mason degree is imparted to you in solemn and impressive ceremonies. It is described as "the root and marrow of Freemasonry."
It brings to light that for which the Mason has searched. Its lessons are the essence of Masonic truth. Its ceremonies for the most part are founded upon the return of the Israelites from captivity to rebuild a destroyed temple, and the discoveries they made. It is the complete story of Jewish History during some of its darkest hours. Events of the objects of the Jewish people were preserved, discovered and restored. 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.