Welcome to the website for Union Chapter No. 7 Royal Arch Masons. Union Chapter No. 7 R.A.M. meets on the 2nd Monday of every month except the months of July & August. We meet in Essex Lodge No. 7 located at 8 Smull Ave. Caldwell, NJ 07006. Dinner is served at 6:30 PM with our Convocation beginning promptly at 7:30 PM. History of Royal Arch Masonry
The Royal Arch Degrees was considered most important in the early years
of Freemasonry and so dogmatic was the Mother Grand Lodge - from which
all Speculative Masonry derives - that in 1813, when the two grand
lodges in England united, a firm and solemn landmark was adopted and
placed in the Articles of Union to guide Masons throughout the world
forever on this matter: "Pure Ancient Freemasonry consists of but three
degrees, viz., that of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master
Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch." The landmark
has never been changed and to this day no other degree has been
officially recognized by the Mother Grand Lodge and every rite, system
or additional degree in Freemasonry cannot confer its degree on a Master
Mason until he has received the Royal Arch Degree. Naturally, this is as
it should be, because a man is not a Master Mason until he receives the
Master's Word and he can only receive it in the Royal Arch. The Chapter
of Royal Arch Masonry consists of four degrees, Mark Master, Past
Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason.
DegreesRoyal Arch Masonry is the first order a Master Mason joins in the York Rite. The Chapter works the following degrees:
If you are a Master Mason and want some more information on the York Rite, click here for a brochure produced by the York Rite of Texas which contains some very useful information.
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