Advancing to the YorkRite Brotherhood of Craft Masonry

Continuing Your Travels - the American Path

The most prudent reason a Master Mason should advance beyond the third degree is for a deeper spiritual awakening towards his Masonic relevance. The Symbolic Lodge, as existing in this country today, uses only part of what was originally considered the complete teachings of the Lodge. On your journey through the three degrees of Blue Lodge Masonry and as you have learned the proficiency lecture for each degree, no doubt many questions have arisen concerning the meaning of the ritualistic ceremonies, the historical implications and the ‘why’ of the legends of Freemasonry.

As a Master Mason, you will recall that certain things were left undiscovered as you made your travels in and around the Temple of Solomon. The York Rite is the only way of discovering that which was lost, and reveals to the brother, in a most impressive manner, the true nature of his duties toward God, his neighbor and himself. The companionship and camaraderie which are established in the local Symbolic Lodge, are further strengthened and enriched by the additional light exposed to each member of the York Rite.

Although many erudite brethren have delved into the history and mysteries of Freemasonry no one has as yet determined the exact time the fraternity originated or where it first came into being.

Many believe the Sublime Degree of Master Mason to be the ultimate degree of Freemasonry and that all others are added and explanatory. Most students of Freemasonry agree that the blessings of the Craft as presented in the three degrees is incomplete and that the steps offered in the York Rite of Freemasonry complete the story and answer many of the questions in the mind of the newly made Master Mason.