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Elements of Craft Freemasonry and the Royal Arch came together in mutual support at a Master Masons’ evening at Louth, emphasising our ‘One Journey, One Organisation’ approach.
Almost 80 attended the event, and feedback afterwards showed they were left enthused by what they saw and heard in a new style for the now-regular annual Provincial event.
Central to the evening was a playlet developed by Provincial Learning and Development Officer Nick Brown, in which he and his L&D colleague Jon Cox explored the symbolism and meaning and links to the Craft. Their presentation followed a demonstration of the full closing in the third degree in which substituted secrets are shared between the Wardens and Master.
Nick said: “The Third Degree tells us that we have only ‘substituted’ secrets; standing in place of those lost through the death of Hiram Abiff. We are reminded the secrets are substituted ones, so the journey isn’t over…the secrets are still out there waiting to be discovered. Revealing them and how they were found is another chapter in the story, and this is done in the Royal Arch.
“Traditionally, this final part of the ceremony was embodied in Craft Freemasonry, but, when the two original Grand Lodges united, it was separated under the auspices of the Royal Arch – though we are really on organisation; illustrated by the fact that in Lincolnshire, and many other Provinces, the Provincial Grand Master at the head of the Craft is also the Head of the royal Arch, with the title of Most Excellent Grand Superintendent.”
Emphasising the closeness of the orders, PGM Dave Wheeler appeared in regalia appropriate to both during the course of the evening, both times supported by other officers, as can be seen in the main photograph above this post. In the picture right Deputy Grand Superintendent Mike Rix and Chapter Rep Co-ordinator David Cartwright with literature given to Master Masons attending the event.
Exploring what Chapter membership had to offer Nick highlighted the friendship dimension. “Each Chapter has three Principals. In My Chapter this year each of those happens to be from a different Lodge, so it just shows how much Royal Arch membership can widen your social circle – and it’s not necessary to join the Chapter associated with your Lodge, or even at your Craft Lodge centre. With 33 Chapters in Lincolnshire, there are lots of options.”
Want to know more? Talk to your Lodge Royal Arch representative – his name should be on the summons – or ask anyone wearing Chapter jewel in a craft ceremony. They’re on white, burgundy, or three-coloured ribbons, depending where the Royal Arch companion is within his Chapter journey.
