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Side degrees
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After the three degrees of Craft Freemasonry, many brethren look to “make a daily advancement in masonic knowledge” as instructed in the Charge after Initiation. The United Grand Lodge actively encourages Master Masons to complete the Third degree by seeking exaltation in a Royal Arch Chapter; its makes no suggestion that they should complete that of a Fellow Craft, by advancement as a Mark Master Mason. However one would hope that all Master Masons would want to do so, as it is simply an accident of history that those masons in England and Wales who are exalted in the Royal Arch have not previously taken the Mark Degree. |
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The 'Rose Croix' Degree is the 18th degree of a Christian Order of Masonry, originating in France, and known as the Ancient and Accepted Rite of Freemasonry. Established in 1801, the Order comprises thirty three degrees which amplify the teachings of Craft Masonry within a Christian context. For this reason candidates must profess the Trinitarian Christian Faith and are required, prior to any formal consideration of their candidature, to sign a declaration to this effect. |
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Profane History gives us no account of these Knights anterior to the time of the Crusades; but the Revelation of Sacred History and Ancient Mystery, supposes them to have been orders in the degrees of the Temple, as they now assume to be in Masonry. The title of Hospitaller is traceable only to a provision for pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem in Palestine; while the distinction of Knights of Rhodes and of Malta was acquired in the crusade wars, by their Knights getting and defending the possession of those islands. They had two residences in London; that which is now called St. John's-square, and the Temple by the river. |
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The Order of the Temple was founded in 1118 at Jerusalem which had been liberated from Saracen rule nineteen years earlier. The successes of the Crusaders had brought Pilgrims to the Holy Land from all over Christendom. Rich and poor, noble and peasant, male and female wrought upon by religious excitement came through the most inhospitable countries to visit and offer up their devotions at the places made sacred by associations with the life of Our Saviour. The difficulties facing these Pilgrims were numerous. There was a lack of roads and means of transport; the routes were menaced by Saracen raiders and Christian bandits; |
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The Order has a scriptural base, following closely the writings of the Book of Samuel, Chapter Twenty, which tells of the enduring friendship between David and Jonathan. The devotion of these two friends for one another forms the basis of the Secret Monitor ritual and precepts; indeed Friendship for one's Brother is the predominant teaching of the Order. "The Order of David and Jonathan" was brought to the New World about 1658 by Dutch settlers of Jewish decent, it therefore follows that we must return to the Netherlands for its origin. |
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Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters Golden Jubilee Council No: 239
/ Date of Warrant: 19th February 2003 |
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The Grand Council of Royal & Select Masters of England and Wales was set up in 1873 under a Charter issued earlier by the Grand Council of New York, and is administered from
Mark Mason' Hall,
London. Membership is open to all Mark Master Masons who are also Holy Royal Arch Masons, as the Order forms the link between these two Degrees. |
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This degree, although worked under the aegis of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons, and requiring every candidate to be a Mark Master Mason, has no historical connection whatsoever with that degree. Mark Grand Lodge's rule over the 'Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Royal Ark Mariners' is simply a quirk of fate and a very interesting story in itself (but one that must be left unto after you have joined our ranks!). |
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![[ Royal & Select Masters ]](Royal-&-Select-Masters.gif)