Page 5 - Essex Mason (Issue 87) Online Version

Provincial

a call to action

The Pro First Grand Principal on why more First, they don’t know anything about it. If this were to be
members aren’t joining the Royal Arch
the main reason, I would be very depressed, which I am not.
However, I am sure that there will be some who fall into this
category – and that is a real condemnation of those who
appoint the Royal Arch representatives in lodges. They must
ompanions, for a long time we have been trying to clearly be failing in their duties. Where there are no Royal Arch
come up with good reasons why all brethren should representatives, then senior brethren and particularly mentors
Cjoin the Royal Arch. I think between us we have had as well as proposers and seconders must step up.
some success, and the percentage of brethren who are Second, they have heard about it, but have been put off by
members has increased almost everywhere over the last few some aspect. Frequently I have heard people talking about
years. Today I want to turn the question round and ask: ‘Why how difficult the ritual is to learn. Surely our brethren should
don’t all our brethren join the Royal Arch?’ It seems to me that be able to make up their own minds about that and not have
there are five main reasons, but I am sure others will come up seeds of doubt sown in their minds without having tried it. Let
with many more. them find out for themselves, and if they are reluctant to join
the ladder, they can watch from the side until they feel ready.
The exaltation ceremony is one of the best to sit and watch.
Personally, I don’t consider it any more difficult than any other
ritual, and the main long section delivered by the Principal
Sojourner is a good story which I have always
found sticks in the mind reasonably well. Also,
I am all for our Craft brethren joining companions, the Principal Sojourner has two
whatever other legitimate Order that assistants. Why should they not live up to
they want, but I strongly believe the their names and assist in the ceremony. The
Royal Arch should come first work splits naturally and gives the Assistant
Sojourners good reason to attend. With the
fairly recent changes to the ritual, the First
Principal’s task has been considerably eased
by sharing much of it with the other Principals.
Third, cost. This is clearly relevant, and it is imperative that any
candidates are fully briefed on this just as they should have
been when joining the Craft. In part, this can be considered
in the same way as my fourth reason: time. Again, extremely
relevant. Many chapters only meet three times a year, but that
is still an added burden for working people to manage. Do our
lodges, perhaps, meet too often? Many meet 10-plus times
a year – along with Lodges of Instruction and rehearsals, this
is an enormous time burden on the young working brother. I
know I shall be unpopular with many, but if lodges that meet
that often considered reducing the number of their meetings,
it could possibly invigorate their chapters by saving the
brethren both time and money.
Fifth, they have joined other Orders already and have reached
the limit of the involvement in Freemasonry that they want.
If this is the case, we have again failed in our duties as Craft
Freemasons. There can be no logical masonic reason for a
Craft Freemason to join any other Order before joining the
Royal Arch, unless they don’t know about the Royal Arch, or
the reasons for joining have been poorly explained.
I must add that I am all for our Craft brethren joining whatever
other legitimate Order that they want, but I strongly believe
the Royal Arch should come first.
Companions, the Royal Arch is a wonderful Order, as everyone
knows. I am extremely proud of being the Pro First Grand
Principal and look forward to the day when we can boast that
more than 50% of Craft Freemasons have joined the Order
and we can then move upwards from there.

Article Published in Issue 48 of FMT Freemasonry
Today

5