Meridian Chapter U.D., Royal Arch Masons of Oregon

The ancient landmarks of 1813, emanating from the United Grand Lodge of England indicated "that pure Antient Masonry consists of three degrees and no more, viz., those of the Entered Apprentice, the Fellow Craft, and the Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch." This should serve as a demonstration of the importance and high esteem in which the Royal Arch Degree has been held throughout the history of Freemasonry. Today, the Chapter is the path to take if you wish to receive this important degree.

Before petitioning to join the Chapter, a candidate must already have received the Three Degrees of Masonry in a Symbolic Lodge (often referred to as "Blue Lodge") These degrees are 1° Entered Apprentice, 2° Fellow Craft, and 3° Master Mason. For an explanation of these degrees please read our Description of The Craft Degrees.

4° Mark Master Mason

In the Mark degree, the candidate steps back into the role of a Fellow Craft to learn the proper way to receive the wages of an Operative Fellow Craft Mason. Anciently, an operative Fellow Craft would select a distinctive Mark which he would cut into each stone he prepared. This Mark was made so that he might be given credit and receive wages for his work, and so that he would be accountable for the quality of work performed. A Mason's Mark is roughly equivalent to a signature in today's world. The legend of this degree teaches the candidate about a stone that was cast into the rubbish heap at the building of King Solomon's Temple, deemed to be irregular, but is later discovered to be the capstone for the entrance of the Temple.

5° Past Master (Virtual)

In the Past Master degree, the candidate goes through essentially the same ceremonies as the installation of Worshipful Master of the Symbolic Lodge, and takes appropriate obligations in relation to governing over Masonic Lodges in general. This degree is necessary because ancient tradition requires that a Mason be a Past Master of the Symbolic Lodge before he can be exalted in the Holy Royal Arch degree.

This requirement hearkens back to a time before the third degree had been developed, when the majority of Masons were Fellowcrafts and one was only made a Master each year by being elected to preside over a Lodge. When the third Degree was eventually developed, the Installation ceremonies of the Master continued to be given only during the annual installation of officers. Under this old system, only one Mason in each Lodge would become qualified for the Royal Arch Degree each year, so the Grand Master would often write dispensations to waive the Past Master requirement for worthy Master Masons. The Past Master Degree was instituted to relieve the Grand Master of this burden.

6° Most Excellent Master

The Most Excellent Master degree marks the completion of the Temple, its dedication, and depicts the sacred items which were placed within the Holy of Holies. With the labor of the Craft upon the Temple finally being completed, a time of rejoicing and appreciation for the splendor of the Temple is had, but not forgetting the death of Grand Master Hiram Abiff, who is still being mourned.

7° Royal Arch Mason

The Royal Arch Degree is the chronological culmination of Ancient Craft Masonry's Legend of Hiram Abiff. This degree depicts several significant scenes from Israelite history: The Babylonian invasion, the destruction of the Temple of Solomon, the Captivity of the Jews in Babylon, and their eventual return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. In this degree the Ancient Masters Word is finally restored by virtue of wise provisions which were made by our Three Ancient Grand Masters.

After attaining the most sublime degree of Royal Arch Mason a Companion may proceed to the degrees of Cryptic Masonry, and is also eligible to join several additional bodies for further Masonic education.

How to Join

If you're already a Mason living in our area and you'd like to become a Royal Arch Mason, there are two options:

• If you would like in participate in a European Concept Chapter, and are excited about upholding our principles, you could become a candidate for Meridian Chapter (we don't have a Dispensation yet so you'll have to wait until we receive one!) If this sounds like the path for you, contact one of our members.

• If the European Concept doesn't appeal to you, that's ok! Just find another Chapter near to you by contacting the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Oregon, or if you're outside of the Oregon jurisdiction, visit YorkRite.org and find the Grand Chapter for your jurisdiction.

If you're not a Mason, did you know that in order to become one, a man must take the first step and ask? Maybe you're reading this because you're already interested? If you don't know any Masons to talk to, contact one of our members, or visit the Masonic Grand Lodge of Oregon, or the Grand Lodge over your jurisdiction. If you make the decision, we wish you well and hope you find what you're looking for in Freemasonry. You have a long journey ahead of you before we'll see you in the Royal Arch, but when you are ready, don't forget to come back and visit us!