The Cryptic Rite

By Roscoe R. Walcutt (1888 - 1961)

Past Grand Recorder of the Grand Council, R. & S. M. of Ohio; Past General Grand Secretary of the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons.  

   Our word “Rite” come directly from the Latin, and perhaps goes back to the Sanskrit “riti” (a stream or a running way), or “ri” (meaning to flow).  Hence the sense in which Masons use it, to follow a fixed trend or channel, a customary way of doing things.  Webster’s dictionary, among other definitions of “rite,” gives the following: 

    The act of performing divine or solemn service as established by law, precept, or example; a formal act or series of acts of religion or other solemn duty; a solemn observance; as, the rites of Freemasonry.

   The word “ritual” likewise comes from the same root, and, the ritual being the customary way in which history and tradition are portrayed and their lessons taught, of course, goes back to the primary meaning of the word. It is akin in meaning to the word ceremony.

Stated Meeting Notice

The next Stated Meeting of Washington Chapter No. 2, Royal Arch Masons, will be held at the Masonic Hall at 4911 Montrose Boulevard at 7:00 PM on Monday, September 11, 2017.  As a reminder, the Most Excellent High Priest, Joseph Taylor, has set aside the fourth Monday of each month for degree work and ritual practice.  Members of the Chapter are encouraged to attend.

All Royal Arch Masons are welcome.

Stated Meeting Notice

The next Stated Meeting of Houston Council No. 1, Royal and Select Masters, will be held at the Masonic Hall at 4911 Montrose Boulevard at 7:00 PM on Monday, August 14, 2017.  In addition, the Thrice Excellent Master, Joseph Taylor, has set aside the fourth Monday of each month for degree work and ritual practice.  Members of the Council are encouraged to attend.  All Royal and Select Masters are welcome.

Proper attire is recommended.

Mark Masonry

By Ward K. St. Clair

Past Master, Lodge of United Services No. 1118, New York, and a Past High Priest of his Chapter.

Major, United States Signal Corps

   The legend of the degree of Mark Master Mason is contained in a number of degrees, and the name forms a part of several others.  In the United States, we consider it as a single degree, it being the first in the Capitular series.  Most of the Mark degrees belong the past and are now of historical interest only.  In fact, a number of cases exist where the name only exists, while in other instances we find copies of old rituals, or records of the degree having been conferred.

   Be that as it may, the earliest record of the degree in the United States is contained in the minutes of the Old Mark Lodge at Middleton, Connecticut, for September 13, 1783.  These minutes report the formation of a Mark Lodge, under the sanction of St. John’s Lodge, by three Mark Master Masons.  This Mark Lodge continued as an independent body until its merger with Washington Chapter on August 12, 1812.

Stated Meeting Notice

The next Stated Meeting of Washington Chapter No. 2, Royal Arch Masons, will be held at the Masonic Hall at 4911 Montrose Boulevard at 7:00 PM on Monday, July 10, 2017.  In addition, the Most Excellent High Priest, Joseph Taylor, has set aside the fourth Monday of each month for degree work and ritual practice.  Members of the Chapter are encouraged to attend.  All Royal Arch Masons are welcome.

Proper attire is recommended.