Peoria York Rite Bodies
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Chapter No. 7 |
Council No. 11 |
Commandery No. 3 |
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STATED MEETINGS 2nd Friday of each Month at 7:30
P.M. |
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Peoria Chapter No. 7 |
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Sent all Official Correspondence to: |
Royal Arch Masons Mark Master The work on the Temple continues. Amplifying the Fellow Craft Degree, we are taught that the knowledge we recieved there can be employed most usefully and juriciously for our honor and the profit of others. A beautiful lesson is exemplified, inculcating the truth that although we are often misunderstood, underrated and traduced, there is ONE who will make the rejected stone the head of the corner. Past Master This degree begins the preparation for the Royal Arch, which we are told was removed from the Symbolic Degrees, of which it was once a part, to reserve it for the more earnest seeker of more Light in masonry. Originally only Past Masters of Lodges were admitted to the sublime secrets of the Royal Arch. This meant that very few could recieve them. The Degree of Past Master (virtual) teaches that he must learn to obey before he can rule, and to govern himself before he can govern others. Most Excellent Master This is a significant Degree in Ancient Craft Masonry. King Solomon's Temple, which was begun so auspiciously and halted so dramatically in the Third Degree, is completed amid much rejoicing and great splendor. The labors of the craft are given the blessing of the Lord, who descended as fire from heaven. King Solomon, in his gratitude, recieved and acknowledged the Most Excellent Masters, empowered to travel and recieve Master's Wages, and charged them with the responsibility of sharing their Masonic Light and Knowledge with those less informed. The Royal Arch In this
degree we find the completion of the Master's Degree and the Recovery of the
Lost Word. After the death of King Solomon, his magnificent Temple was
destroyed and the Israelites carried away as captives to Babylon, where they
lived for about 70 years. Here many acquired considerable wealth and
attained high rank and influence in the Chaldean government. However, when
liberated by King Cyrus, many of them returned to Jerusalem and began
rebuilding the Temple. While this work was going on and the rubbish of the
ruins of the first Temple was being cleared away, many interesting and
valuable discoveries were made, chief of which was the recovery of the Lost
Word. With the recovery of that which was lost, it would seem to the
novitiate that his search for Light was ended. However, in order that he
might better acquire the lessons, a seemingly inverse movement of the
Degrees, historically, is set up. |
