Learning Royal Arch Chapter Ritual - The SImple, Systematic and Successful Way to Master the Work

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On the other hand, the premier Grand Lodge officially did not recognise the Royal Arch and would have nothing to do with it. Despite this denial, there is evidence that many of their lodges did in fact work it alongside their normal ceremonies. Lodges who owed first allegiance to the premier Grand Lodge but who also embraced some of the Antients workings were known as “Traditioner Lodges”. (Lodge of Loyalty No. 86 (Modern) being a good example, where a member’s plate jewel, known to date from 1782-1797 clearly shows an Arch; the museum at Grand Lodge has Chapter minutes dated 1803 and lists of Chapter members dated 1807, long before the 1813 union which legitimised Royal Arch, but a Chapter Warrant was only applied for in 1851).

These Principals are in turn supported by six Assistants who are responsible for several Groups covering the whole Province: Blog Welcome to our Blog, where you can keep up on the latest news and discover more about Freemasonry

The Reverential Sign in the Royal Arch is only ever used when entering or retiring from the Chapter and always given to the name on the pedestal – not to the Principals. The right thumb should always be DOWN (even during obligations and prayers) and the left thumb ALONG the forehead and not to the side. Thus, the thumb is always hidden. In the second part, you were readmitted as one of three Sojourners, members of the tribe of Judah, who having heard that the Temple was about to be re-built, offer their assistance and are given the task of preparing the ground for the foundation of the new Temple. You were told that For me, Freemasonry is a peculiar mix of rewarding challenges and opportunities, social interactions and personal fulfilment. Although I find these benefits elsewhere in life, they seldom come together in the same way as they do in my Lodge or Chapter. As a small business owner, I find much of my time consumed by work. Too much frivolous socialising and enjoyment is therefore often met with a gentle whisper from my inner voice: ‘There is work to be done.’ With Freemasonry, however, this voice is not only silenced, it is replaced with a genuine sense of productivity, all while enjoying the company of friends both old and new. Indeed, Freemasonry is often seen as a social club, and while the social aspect is hugely important – it certainly is to me – it is only one component of a far bigger picture. I well remember the daunting prospect of being given my first bits of ritual to learn and how I could physically feel myself shake as I stumbled through an arrangement of words of which I could make little sense at the time. As I looked around at all those in their impressive regalia, reciting huge pieces of complex English arrangements, I could scarcely imagine how I would ever be able to learn, let alone understand, even a fraction of these texts. Fast forward multiple years and these seemingly impossible pieces of ritual, which had once filled me with dread and trepidation, had now been accomplished – although certainly not mastered. Their meaning had slowly become clearer to me with each recital. The beauty of Freemasonry is that we all realise how much work it can take. In turn, we reward each other in friendship and fraternity when we see that the effort has been made. It is the dedication, the perseverance and the ability to get over one’s inner barriers that ultimately lead to reward. For me, this practical lesson has been a genuine gift. ALAN SPARHAM, NORTHAMPTS & HUNTINGDONSHIRE Some Brethren prefer to join a Chapter where they are well known whilst others have a preference to join at a different Masonic Centre altogether. Whichever you choose, you will make new friends as more than just one Lodge supports each Chapter. In the Province of West Lancashire, the Provincial Grand Master is also the head of Provincial Grand Chapter.

Chapter is in many ways similar to a Lodge in that there is a progression of Officers towards the Chairs of the Three Principals who, between them, govern and rule the Chapter. An earlier requirement that a Companion needed to have progressed through the Chair of his Lodge before being installed into the Chairs of the Three Principals no longer applies.

Welcome to the Provincial Grand Chapter of Sussex.

In 1746, Laurence Dermott, who would later become Grand Secretary of the "Antients", had been accepted into a Royal Arch Chapter in Dublin, which at that time was open only to those who had previously served as master of a Craft lodge. He regarded the Royal Arch as the fourth degree of Craft Masonry. Under his influence, the "Antients" championed the Royal Arch degree in England, while it was met with hostility in the Premier Grand Lodge of England. Some historians have stated that Royal Arch was in existence during the early part of the 18th century, but there is no factual evidence for this. The first recorded exaltation is dated 1753. Remember that just two years earlier, a second Grand Lodge (calling itself “The Antients”) had been formed by disaffected Irish Masons as a direct rival to the premier Grand Lodge which they called, rather scornfully “The Moderns”. This new body argued that the Royal Arch was a fourth degree and allowed their lodges to work it under the authority of the craft Warrant. What is Freemasonry? Freemasonry is one of the oldest social and charitable organisations in the world and its principles are Integrity, Friendship, Respect and Service

Similarities between this degree and material in the 19° in the Early Grand Rite of Scotland are also enumerated upon, and they conclude that the degree is from that Rite. [12] Royal Arch Mason [ edit ] Origins and early development [ edit ] Thus the Royal Arch leads the candidate from the practical to the spiritual and completes “Pure Antient Masonry”, a fascinating journey of self-knowledge and even self-discovery beginning with the Entered Apprentice degree in the Craft and culminating in the First Principal’s chair of his Holy Royal Arch Chapter. After the Third Degree There is also Cultor Dei and then Civis Mundi me In the Most Excellent Master degree the building of King Solomon's Temple, which figures so prominently in Blue Lodge, has been completed. In England and Wales, the degree is conferred by Cryptic Councils, along with three other degrees (see below).Cyrus has issued his decree allowing the exiles to return to Jerusalem. You, as one of the three Sojourners, are about to arrive from your captivity in Babylon, having heard that the Temple is about to be rebuilt, to offer your services in that great and glorious undertaking.” In 1774, the "Antients" formed their own Royal Arch Grand Chapter upon Laurence Dermott's instigation. Its members were Grand Lodge officers who happened to hold the Royal Arch degree, its meetings were ordained by Grand Lodge, and its proceedings approved by that same body.