What is Royal Arch Masonry?

Master Masons seeking further light & knowledge should seriously consider become Royal Arch Masons, known as York Rite Masonry. Chapters here in Nova Scotia confer four degrees: Mark Master,   Past Master,   Most Excellent Master,   &   The Holy Royal Arch.

The Degree of Mark Master is a continuation of the lessons taught in the 2nd or Fellowcraft degree. Scottish Blue Lodges work this degree as an extension of the 2nd degree (after becoming a master mason). The Degree teaches that although we are often misunderstood, underrated and traduced, there is ONE who will make the rejected stone the Head of the corner. This degree takes its name from the practice of the stonemason marking his work to identify it as his, so that he may be paid for work done, a practice which has existed from time immemorial; The mark of the mason who carved the stone can be seen on many old buildings. You will get paid for your work in this degree & will know what the Sr. Warden has been talking about.

The Degree of Past Master teaches that before one can rule, he must learn to obey; before one can govern others, he must learn to govern himself. The Past Master Degree came into being because the degree of Royal Arch was originally only conferred on actual Past Masters. The (virtual) Past Master Degree was instituted to make it possible for all worthy Brethren to receive the Royal Arch Degree. This degree confers no actual status of a Past Master upon the candidate, but it qualifies him for admission to the Royal Arch. The first record of its conferral in the annals of Masonic history is found in England in 1768.

The Degree of Most Excellent Master is a very beautiful and dramatic Degree. Here the Temple, on which work was halted so dramatically in the 3rd (Master Mason) Degree is completed.

The Degree of Holy Royal Arch is the capstone of the Craft Degrees. It is concerned with the discovery of a crypt and the value of the resulting discoveries to the Craft. In this Degree, that which was lost in the 3rd (Master Mason) Degree is again found. I don't know how many of you realize this; but so important is the Royal Arch to craft Masonry that at the act of Union in 1813, the United Grand Lodge of England issued the pronouncement: "Pure Ancient Freemasonry consists of but three degrees and three degrees only, namely that of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason, including the Holy Royal Arch".