It’s a great question. After all, the ultimate degree a Mason can attain is certainly that of Master Mason, our third and final degree. All others beyond it — whether through the Scottish Rite or the York Rite — are just “extra” and no man is any greater or lesser who has attained anything more than the Master Mason degree.

So why may now be the right time for you to join the Royal Arch Masons?

Perhaps you are wondering about the many questions brought up in our Lodge degrees, rituals, ceremonies, and lessons that just seem to go unanswered. Or maybe you have Brothers in your Lodge who are talking to you about the wonderful experiences they are having in the Royal Arch and the rest of the York Rite. Or it could even be that you feel the time is right for you to continue on your Masonic journey and to seek out something that is not being offered in your lodge. Finally, maybe you have realized that you are missing something, something that every Master Mason should be looking for — the long lost, ancient Master’s Word.

Whatever your reason, the Royal Arch is waiting for you, Brother. In it, you will gain first-hand experience in our mysteries, unfolded to you as you become a participant in our mystic degrees. You will present work to Overseers and learn how to make your mark, key to receiving your Masonic wages. You will rule a lodge with wisdom and decorum, resolving disputes and gaining the respect of your brethren. You will complete the Sacred Temple and be celebrated as a Master, earning the ability work and travel in foreign lands and contribute to the relief of others. Finally, you will travel a rough and rugged path, learning lessons along the way and rejoicing as the long lost, ancient Master’s Word is discovered and realized.

Indeed, the Royal Arch has much to offer. We are awaiting you, Brother. Take the next step.

York Rite Masonry is a book of many Chapters, each Chapter dependent upon those preceding it; the actual life of man and his rewards are the golden threads which run through the entire story. The following lines are written with the hope that they may be of assistance to members of our fraternity in interpreting the Degrees to the young Masons, so that they may enter into the real spirit of the ceremonies, grasping their deeper meaning and enjoying the splendid lessons which they teach to the thinking Mason.

The Mark Master Degree
The Mark Master’s Degree is a part of the Fellowcraft’s and is founded on the ancient custom of requiring each workman to place his mark upon his work. It teaches many lessons and is historical as well as philosophical. It teaches that the world demands substantial service which should measure up to certain standards, must pass the squares of certain authorities, and must bear our mark if we would take credit for it.

This Degree also teaches service and cooperation, and demonstrates that we can often assist a friend when we actually feel that we can not; even the pass-grip is a symbol of assistance and cooperation in getting up the steep places of life with the valuable qualities of character which go into our spiritual building. It also touches upon man’s selfishness in claiming a greater reward than his fellow, overestimating the value of his own efforts and underestimating the other man’s, but it shows that merit stands the test when referred to the wise and impartial judge.

A Mark Master is taught charity in the true sense of the word; charitable thinking is often more valuable than money. Common experience teaches us that men are prone to err and this Degree emphasizes that forgiveness, after suitable punishment, may enable a man to come again, regain what he has lost, perfect his life, and bring up good and square work, which is always acceptable.

The Past Master’s Degree
After a Mason has heard the obligation and the ancient charges, rules and regulations, he gets an insight into Lodge procedure which he has never had before; he learns the “whys and wherefores” of certain practices. Correctly conferred, the degree does much toward really qualifying a candidate to preside over a Lodge, and is a wonderful assistance to one who has had no experience in presiding or parliamentary practice.

It also teaches lessons of a moral and symbolic nature. It demonstrates that there is a correct method of teaching, which will drive home a lesson after other methods have failed. It also teaches obedience to the law, something that a Master must recognize at all times, and it calls attention to the necessity for closely following set rules while striving to master a new vocation, science or art.

The Most Excellent Master Degree
The Most Excellent Master’s Degree is still another picture of a man in actual life, but it is founded on one of the high lights in history. When we really understand this Degree, we find that it has been conferred on us many times, and that we have helped confer it on others long before we received it in the Lodge room.

When the student masters the course in school and receives a diploma, it is the Most Excellent Master’s Degree that is conferred upon them. In business, society or politics, a man may plan his work, follow it to a successful termination and look back upon it with thanksgiving and praise to those who have helped him, and receive the Most Excellent Master’s Degree. When a man marries the person he loves, he receives the Degree, and when these two build their first home, how strikingly they confer it upon themselves; however humble that home may be, however dim the lights within, a fire comes down from heaven and illuminates the souls of these two who have set the capstone and finished the house.

The Royal Arch Degree
Into the Royal Arch Degree is compressed more information, more food for thought, than any other degree. One of the lessons of this Degree is that the greatest of rewards is due to loyal service, especially service which is rendered at a sacrifice, for that shows the heart of the man; vicarious suffering is worthy of the noblest rewards. No matter whether one’s abilities be great or small, his service is valuable and his reward should be proportion to his zeal and fidelity rather than according to the high or low plane in which the laborer toils. The reward given is this Degree should be studied from every angle by every Royal Arch Mason, and he should strive to master its full meaning; he can get a very clear and distinct idea of what Masonry really means to him by attempting to fix a value upon the Recovery; his whole idea of Masonry is involved in the value he places upon it.

If you’re a Master Mason, you know that something is, well, missing in your Masonic experience. For non-Masons, Entered Apprentices, and Fellowcraft, let’s just say that no story is ever complete. Until you join the Royal Arch Masons, where many, many questions are answered. Even some questions, in fact, that you probably don’t even realize are unanswered.

Royal Arch Freemasonry provides an opportunity for Master Masons desiring further light to explore some of the deeper mysteries of the Craft. The four capitular degrees, in all of which candidates take an active part, are truly some of the most profound and impressive in Freemasonry. The work of a chapter is very closely related to that of the craft lodge, and the Freemason finds a warm and comfortable home in a safe and sacred retreat in the chapter. The degrees afford historical and philosophical background on the work and meaning of Freemasonry.

The supreme degree of Holy Royal Arch Mason, as the culmination of the capitular degrees, is the climax of Ancient Craft Freemasonry and Masonic symbolism. It is described as “the root and marrow of Freemasonry.” It is during this degree ritual that the greatest treasure of a Freemason is brought to light: the long lost Master’s Word. The value of Royal Arch Freemasonry will be appreciated by all who are exalted to that most supreme degree, particularly by those who are seeking to complete their Masonic education. It reveals the full light of Ancient Craft Freemasonry, presents it as a complete system in accordance with the original plan, and justly entitles you to truly claim the noble name of Master Mason.