“pass the chair” of Solomon, but allows rugged road back to Jerusalem and there him none of the rights and privileges of assists in the rebuilding of the Temple. Have You “Made an actual Past Master of a Symbolic While thus engaged, he is instrumental in Lodge. Thus, as a “virtual” Past Master, discovering the Ark of the Covenant and Your Mark” he is permitted to qualify for the Degree restoring to Masonry that which was lost, of Royal Arch Mason. the Lost Master’s Word. This restoration in Freemasonry? was foreseen by King Solomon, when he proclaimed the use of a substitute Word until future ages might reclaim the Lost Word. This rediscovery of the Word An invitation to a forms the direct tie between the Symbolic Master Mason Degrees of the Blue Lodge and the Most Excellent Master – When the Capitular Degrees of Royal Arch traveler receives the Most Excellent Masonry. And the process of discovery Master Degree, he participates in the of the Word as well as the Ark and its inspiring ceremonies of the final contents is richly symbolic. completion of the Temple, and assists in fulfilling the purpose for which the Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holy of Holies, ______was created. He observes the solemn ceremonies of the dedication and consecration of the Temple by King For further information, contact: Solomon, and experiences the awe- The York Rite of Freemasonry is an inspiring event of the acceptance of extension and expansion of the Degrees Solomon’s gift by the Lord. of the Symbolic or Craft Lodge. The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in California – the governing body for the York Rite Degrees beyond the Degree of Master Mason – has recently adopted a program to acquaint Master Masons with the further Light Royal Arch Mason – As a Royal Arch available to them in the York Rite. Mason, the candidate is taught humility and is present at the destruction of the Now, at no cost to you, your local magnificent original Temple, a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons will confer consequence of the arrogance and upon you the first of the Chapter’s heresy of the children of Israel. He Degrees – the Mark Master Degree. endures the humiliation of captivity at Babylon, and rejoices when freedom is Here is how the program works— again restored. He travels the rough and The first step is for you to submit a those additional degrees, and petition to your local Chapter, asking to subsequently be scheduled to receive be advanced to the Degree of Mark them. Only then, after receiving the Master Mason. You submit no fee with Royal Arch Degree and becoming a full- this petition. fledged member of your Chapter, will you have any obligation for Chapter dues. Mark Master-- When a Master Mason If your petition is approved by the seeks further Light in Masonry by way of local Chapter, you will be qualified to No memorized proficiencies are the York Rite, he first learns the lessons receive all the Degrees of the Chapter, required for advancement through the of a Mark Master. In the Fellowcraft De- should you ever wish to do so at a future Chapter Degrees. gree he found that when he gained ad- date. However, you will only be mission to the Middle Chamber of the scheduled for advancement to the The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Temple he was entitled to receive Degree of Mark Master. Masons in California believes its degrees wages. As a Mark Master he learns how have great additional fraternal Light to and from whom to receive those wages, The second step is actually to be offer a Master Mason. We hope you will the consequences of claiming another’s advanced to the Degree of Mark Master give this invitation to explore the York work as his own, and of attempting to Mason, in the company of other Blue Rite your serious and careful con- draw wages that are not his due. At this Lodge Brethren who are also exploring sideration. time he will also select and have record- York Rite opportunities. ed his own “Mark,” such as ancient craftsmen selected and used to distin- Any additional steps are up to you. guish their work.

If you decide, after receiving the Mark Master Degree, not to proceed to further ______Degrees in the Royal Arch Chapter, you will not be scheduled for them. However, you will still be a Mark Master member of your local Royal Arch Chapter – in much Past Master (Virtual)— In the early days the same way that an Entered Apprentice of Masonry the Royal Arch Degree was is a member of his Lodge. You will be considered so important a degree that welcome to sit in any Lodge of Mark only Masters or Past Masters of Lodges Master Masons, when convened by your To help you understand the entire set were permitted to receive it. When Royal Royal Arch Chapter. of Degrees offered by a Chapter of Royal Arch Masonry arrived in the United Arch Masons, the following commentary States, this practice was considered too On the other hand, if you decide, on each of those degrees is provided for restrictive, and in order to allow more either right after receiving the Degree of your information. Brethren to share in the Light, the Mark Master or at any other time in the “virtual” Past Master’s Degree was future, to proceed with the other three devised. This degree allows a Brother to Degrees of your Chapter, you will simply pay the degree fee to your Chapter for