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Article THE CRAFT DEGREES AND ROYAL ARCH. ← Page 4 of 7 →
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The Craft Degrees And Royal Arch.
In regard to Freemasonry , however , whilst it retained its operative character but few , comparatively , attained the knowledge of the third degree . This degree , indeed , was of most extensive signification , comprehending all that is now dispersed in a variety of channels . As the knowledge , or rather peculiar secrets appertaining to itwas imparted at
, several stages , the degree itself , when Freemasonry assumed its present symbolical form , became divided ; the initiation into the degree , with the peculiar ceremonies attendant upon that step , was held to terminate Craft-Masonry ; the higher mysteries were imparted in that portion of the degree which , under the ancient York riteeventuallassumed the title of
, y the English Royal Arch ; and in other rites they were communicated by a variety of degrees , bearing different names under different systems ; but all of which , as has been remarked , should only be considered as extensions of the M . M . degree . These remarks seem necessary in order to
disencumber the subject from many considerations which would otherwise occasion much difficulty . In regarding the third degree as it forms part of our present system , we should consider that we have narrowed its original and extensive signification , and that the R . A ., and numerous degrees in other rites , are now intended to
communicate that knowledge which formerly belonged to this degree when fully and completely revealed . It is thus clearl y manifest that without the R . A . our system would now be altogether imperfect , and that those Masonic rites which do not in express terms adopt the English R . A . must necessarily resort to other degrees to procure an equal acquisition
of knowledge . This necessity has , in fact , given rise to the multiplicity of rites which now exist . AU these various rites are , indeed , but attempts to collect together those scattered fragments of the ancient Master Mason ' s degree which became separated when Freemasonry discontinued its operative character—attempts to restore the genuine secrets to the Craft , and combine them in one intelligible system .
The Mark Degrees , now discontinued here , afforded a most intelligent and important link between operative and speculative Freemasonry . They are of the most undoubted antiquity , and may be very profitably studied . *
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Craft Degrees And Royal Arch.
In regard to Freemasonry , however , whilst it retained its operative character but few , comparatively , attained the knowledge of the third degree . This degree , indeed , was of most extensive signification , comprehending all that is now dispersed in a variety of channels . As the knowledge , or rather peculiar secrets appertaining to itwas imparted at
, several stages , the degree itself , when Freemasonry assumed its present symbolical form , became divided ; the initiation into the degree , with the peculiar ceremonies attendant upon that step , was held to terminate Craft-Masonry ; the higher mysteries were imparted in that portion of the degree which , under the ancient York riteeventuallassumed the title of
, y the English Royal Arch ; and in other rites they were communicated by a variety of degrees , bearing different names under different systems ; but all of which , as has been remarked , should only be considered as extensions of the M . M . degree . These remarks seem necessary in order to
disencumber the subject from many considerations which would otherwise occasion much difficulty . In regarding the third degree as it forms part of our present system , we should consider that we have narrowed its original and extensive signification , and that the R . A ., and numerous degrees in other rites , are now intended to
communicate that knowledge which formerly belonged to this degree when fully and completely revealed . It is thus clearl y manifest that without the R . A . our system would now be altogether imperfect , and that those Masonic rites which do not in express terms adopt the English R . A . must necessarily resort to other degrees to procure an equal acquisition
of knowledge . This necessity has , in fact , given rise to the multiplicity of rites which now exist . AU these various rites are , indeed , but attempts to collect together those scattered fragments of the ancient Master Mason ' s degree which became separated when Freemasonry discontinued its operative character—attempts to restore the genuine secrets to the Craft , and combine them in one intelligible system .
The Mark Degrees , now discontinued here , afforded a most intelligent and important link between operative and speculative Freemasonry . They are of the most undoubted antiquity , and may be very profitably studied . *