Masonic Degrees
There are three degrees conferred in a Masonic
Lodge, these are called Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master
Mason. Once a man is a Master Mason he is not required to take any
further degrees in Masonry. While these degrees are serious
affairs, they are rich in history and symbolic
significance, conducted with a dash of theatre, are very memorable
events in the life of every Freemason.
If a Master Mason is so inclined, he has the
option to join either the York Rite or the Scottish Rite, or both,
(though he is under no obligation to join either). In fact Master
Masons should not see it as a choice of one or the other, please
consider membership in both. There are many Master Masons who have
chosen over time to join both, and have very much enjoyed both.
There is no conflict between the two, nor in dual membership in
both. In addition those, there is also the Sheba Shrine Club, and
if you have an interest in motorcycles, the Widow’s Sons.
The York Rite
The York Rite is the oldest of the two rites,
and originated in the UK.
For Master Masons in this area who decide to
join the York Rite, the next step is
Signet Chapter of Royal Arch Masons.
Chapter confers three degrees, Mark Master Mason, Most Excellent
Master, and the Royal Arch.
In his book
The Meaning of Masonry,
(starting at page 139),
William L. Wilmshurst (1867-1939)
explains that the Royal Arch
degree as now practiced by in Royal Arch Masonry was once a part
of the Master Mason’s degree practiced in Lodge.
The
Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of
Quebec website notes that "The Royal Arch Degree
is the complement of the Master's Degree, the unfolding into a
second volume of the history of that which was lost to its final
recovery. Without the Royal Arch, the Master's Degree is like a
song half sung, a tale partly told, or a promise unfulfilled."
There is no memory work associated with
progressing through these three degrees. For more information
please visit the
Signet Chapter website.
According to the
Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch
Masons of England website "we know that the
Royal Arch was known in London, York and Dublin by the late
1730s."
According to
The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of
Canada in the Province of Ontario website "the
history of Royal Arch Masonry in Ontario goes back to the British
Army’s
8th Regiment of Foot
that was stationed at Niagara in 1782."
The
Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Canada in the Province of
Ontario "was formed in 1857",
and is represented in Barrie and the surrounding area by
Signet Chapter. Instituted in
1869, Signet Chapter meets the second Tues (except December, June,
July and August). Initiation and annual dues are similar to that
of Lodge. The format of the work in Chapter is also somewhat
similar in nature to that of Lodge. If you wish to join, please
ask for an application.
After Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, if so
inclined, may pursue membership in Mount Calvary Preceptory
located in Barrie, operating under the auspices of The
Sovereign Great Priory (SGP), the governing body in
Canada of the United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the
Temple and of St. John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta
-- the chivalric orders in the York Rite of Freemasonry or Masonic
Knights Templar.
Scottish Rite
The Scottish Rite originated in France, and not
Scotland as one might assume from the name.
For Master Masons who decide to join the
Scottish Rite, the next step is
Lodge of Perfection in Barrie Valley.
The Scottish Rite numbers its degrees, from 4 to 33, the first
three being the craft degrees in Lodge. These are further grouped
into three organizations, which are very well described by the
Supreme Council 33
on their website, so we will not repeat that information here.
For more information on the Scottish Rite in
Barrie, please visit the
Valley of Barrie
website.
The Sheba Shrine Club:
The
Sheba Shrine Club Barrie,
owing allegiance to and operating by permission of the Rameses
Shriners No. 33, Toronto A.A.O.N.M.S.
Chairs
After a man has completed these three degrees
he is eligible to work through the “chairs” (or offices) in the
Lodge, the more junior of which are appointed, and the more senior
of which are elected by the whole membership at a Lodge
meeting. In working through the chairs he is starting on a journey
to become the Master of the Lodge, usually sitting in a different
chair each year, until he reached the Master's chair. Prior to
this (and even after it) there are also other duties a man may
perform in the lodge which are not formally considered as chairs,
but as with all organizations, all men at every level are vital to
the smooth running of the Lodge.
There is a logic to the order of progression
through the chairs, though there can be exceptions due to people
moving in or out of the area due to work, etc, or to an individual
not being available due to health, work or other reasons. Working
through the chairs is completely optional, and a member may
decline a chair.
Since few men these days have musical skills,
the Organist position is often not filled.
The Master of Kempenfeldt Lodge, may also
choose to have a Webmaster and a Photographer, though they are not
formal offices at this time.
It should be noted that the Chaplain chair is
not an “ordained church minister” type of position, despite the
fancy title, (though an ordained Church Minister who is a Master
Mason could certainly fill it). The chair though comfortable and
having a nice view of the proceedings of the Lodge, entails little
but a reciting a few very brief prayers the contents of which are
unlikely to raise the eyebrows of any Church going person.
As the Lodge room is a shared facility, a key
duty of the Stewards and the Deacons is to set up the Lodge each
night (prior to the start of the meeting), and put the Lodge
property away in its proper place after the meeting. It is the
responsibility of the Senior Deacon in Kempenfeldt Lodge to ensure
that this is occurs, and that the others assist with this task, so
he does not end up doing it by himself!
Generally the Assistant Secretary helps the
secretary, and fills in for the Secretary when absent. In this
Lodge he also prepare and sends out the Lodge Summons (Agenda of
the next meeting) by e-mail each month, on behalf of the
Secretary, (and after review by the Master) and provides paper
copies for the Secretary to mail to the remainder of the Lodge
members who are not on e-mail.
The Junior Warden is in charge of all arranging
all social events, including booking of the hall and the caterer,
and arranging for a “Light Repast” (food, pop, water, coffee, etc)
after the Lodge meetings.
The Wardens Association is a local organization
which any Mason may belong to. Membership is optional, but very
much encouraged for the Wardens.
