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What is Royal Arch Masonry?

TO THE MASTER MASON
 

The symbolic degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason, as conferred in the United States are degrees of the York Rite. 

You, therefore, as a Master Mason, have received the first three degrees of that Rite. It is perfectly natural that having begun your Masonic work in that Rite, you should want to continue it. 

The Royal Arch Chapter offers you that opportunity, for in its last degree, the Royal Arch, is to be found the very essence of pure Freemasonry! 

Even the Mother Grand Lodge of England recognizes this fact and many years ago set forth as Paragraph 1 of its General Laws and Regulations:

 By the solemn Act of Union between the two Grand Lodges of Freemasons of England in December, 1813, it was "declared and pronounced that PURE ANCIENT MASONRY consist of three decrees and no more, via., those of the Entered Apprentice, the Fellow- craft, and the Master Mason. INCLUDING THE SUPREME ORDER OF THE HOLY ROYAL ARCH."

 And today, in England, the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, by virtue of his Grand Lodge office, is also the head of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. 

But on the North American Continent, you will find some additional degrees in the system, supplementing the work of the Lodge and the Royal Arch. These degrees are the degrees of Mark Master, Past Master and Most Excellent Master. and all are a part of the Capitular system. The degrees 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.

DEMOCRACY OF THE RITE 

Now if there is anything about this Rite which distinguishes it, it is its DEMOCRACY. Its degrees, orders, offices and honors are open to all. Merit constitutes the only requirement for honors: the brethren with whom you labor are the judges of your deserts. 

The value of any institution is in the contacts which it affords; the Chapter offers you the contacts afforded by 3,000 Royal Arch Chapters in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the American possessions, together with the thousands of chapters working under England, Scotland, and Ireland-in fact, more than a million Royal Arch Masons-and a Chapter in almost every country in the civilized world. To those v.-ho are interested in Masonic philosophy or ritual, the Capitular degrees will particularly appeal; they contain no abstruse philosophy or unintelligible doctrines, but do contain simple, plain statements of Truth, easily understandable and helpful in our relation to life. The Lodge symbolism deals with the material side of life. The Chapter degrees. and particularly the Royal Arch, with the spiritual side of life. The fees for the degrees are low; the dues will be found moderate.

OLDEST AND LARGEST RITE

Founded as a national organization in 1797. existent in all parts of the civilized world, you will, upon your exaltation as a Royal Arch Mason, become a member of the oldest and largest Rite of Freemasonry in the World. Any Royal Arch Mason will be happy to present your name as a candidate for advancement in the mysteries of Freemasonry. You will be happy when you have received this ADDITIONAL Masonic Light.

Educational Bureau 
General Grand Chapter, R.A.M. 
1084 New Circle Road, N.E. 
Lexington, Kentucky 40505