Ancient
and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry |
Our degrees are in addition
to and are in no way "higher" than Blue Lodge degrees. Scottish Rite
work amplifies and elaborates on the lessons of the Craft. It should never be
forgotten that termination of a member's Symbolic Lodge standing automatically
terminates his Scottish Rite membership, whether his level be 4 or 33rd degree
There are four coordinate divisions in the Scottish Rite:
There are three Houses
The Lodge of Perfection constitutes the "Ineffable Degrees"
The Chapter of Rose Croix constitutes the "Historical & Philosophical Degrees"
The Consistory constitutes the "Traditional and Chivalric Degrees"
4th degree Secret
Master. The Fourth Degree emphasizes duty, fidelity, integrity, and
the necessity for secrecy in all confidential relationships.
5th degree Perfect Master. This degree
teaches that trustworthiness is more precious than life and is the foundation of
Masonic honor. Also, we must pay due respect to the memory of a deceased worthy
Brother.
6th degree Intimate Secretary. This
degree teaches that devotion to one's friends and zealousness in per-forming
one's duties are rewarding virtues.
7th degree Provost
and Judge This degree teaches us to judge righteously, without
respect to person, and that one law and one custom shall apply to all Let
justice be impartial, tempered with deserved mercy.
8th degree Intendant of
the Building. This degree teaches that each new honor is meant to
be a step toward perfection in the moral code.
9th degree Elect of Nine The lessons taught in this degree are that we should
be careful not to be too zealous in executing justice, even in a good cause, and
that we should avoid injuring or harming any person by hasty or irresponsible
action.
10th degree Elect of Fifteen The
teachings of this degree are that ambition and jealousy can tempt men to evil
deeds, that righteousness will eventually triumph over evil, and that evil doers
will be punished
11th degree Sublime Elect of Twelve This
degree dwells on good citizenship. Evil doings should be punished. Honesty and
respect for others should be rewarded. Be earnest, honest and sincere.
12th degree Grand Master Architect. This
degree teaches that the Mason, as he learns to use the tools and instruments of
his trade and skill, also learns to contemplate the many aspects of life and
deal with them as a child of God, steadily advancing to those heights of
experience which we call perfection.
13th degree Master
of the Ninth Arch This degree teaches that difficulties and
dangers, however great, should not deter the true and faithful brother from
progressing onward to perfection. It teaches us to be upright, patient and
persevering.
14th degree Grand
Elect, Perfect and Sublime Mason In the Scottish Rite,
this degree is the summit of Ancient Craft Masonry. As the crowning degree
of the Lodge of Perfection, its essence is the holiness of God and reverence
for His Holy Name. God will not hold him guiltless that taketh His Name
in vain. Council of Princes of Jerusalem
15th degree Knights
of the East or Sword This degree
teaches the important lessons of loyalty to conviction and devotion to right.
16th degree Prince
of Jerusalem This degree teaches
loyalty to truth and fidelity to duty.
17th degree Knight
of the East and West The lessons of this degree are that loyalty to
God is man's primary allegiance, and the temporal governments not founded upon
God and His righteousness will inevitably fall.
18th degree Knights of the Rose Croix The lessons taught in this degree are that man must have
a new Temple in his heart where God is worshipped in spirit and in truth
and that he must have a new law of love which all men everywhere may understand
and practice. This degree affirms the broad principles of universality
and tolerance.
19th degree Grand
Pontiff This degree proclaims the spiritual unity of all who
believe in God and cherish the hope of immortality, no matter what religious
leader they follow or what creed they profess. It is concerned primarily with
the perennial conflict between light and darkness, good and evil, God and Satan.
20th degree Grand Master
of All Symbolic Lodges; or, Master ad
Vitam. This degree is a drama of the American spirit confronting
the challenge of disloyalty and treason. Masonic principles and leadership are
subjected to a crucial test. The degree demonstrates the Masonic condemnation of
all who conspire against the security of the nation and the happiness of our
people.
21st degree Noachite or Prussian Knight This
degree teaches that Freemasonry is not a shield for evil doing and that justice
is one of the chief supports of our fraternity.
22nd degree Knights
of the Royal Axe; or Prince of
Libanus. In this degree, the dignity of labor is demonstrated. It
is no curse, but a privilege, for man to be allowed to earn his sustenance by
work. Idleness, not labor, is disgraceful.
23rd degree Chief of the
Tabernacle. This degree teaches that
impure thought and selfish, unworthy ambitions are corrupting and destructive,
and that a man who forgets his duty to family, country, and God will be morally
and spiritually destroyed
24th degree Prince of
the Tabernacle.. This degree teaches
that a mutual belief in one true, living God should bind men together in the
service of humanity and in a worldwide brotherhood
25th degree Knight of
the Brazen Serpent. This degree teaches that there are desert
stretches in every individual life in the history of every nation, with a
resultant breakdown of discipline and loss of faith. This degree is a clarion
call to faith-in ourselves, in each other, and in God.
26th degree Prince of
Mercy. This degree teaches the quality of mercy; that it is a
spirit of compassion and a tenderness of heart which dispose us to overlook
injuries and to treat an offender better than he deserves.
27th degree Knight
Commander of
the Temple. This degree teaches that Scottish Rite Freemasonry
believes in the concept of a free church in a free state, each supreme in its
own sphere, neither seeking to dominate the other, but cooperating for the
common good.
28th degree Knight
of the Sun. This degree using the symbolism of the tools
and implements of architecture teaches that by building high moral character
among its adherents, Freemasonry may advance man's determined quest for the
achievement of unity and good will throughout the world
29th degree Knights
of St. Andrew. This degree emphasizes the Masonic teachings
of equality and toleration. We are reminded that no one man,
no one Church, no one religion, has a monopoly of Truth; that while we
must be true and faithful to our own convictions, we must respect the
opinions of others.
30th degree Knights Kadosh This
degree portrays the tests and ceremonies that symbolize the experiences
we must undergo in the building of character and the sacredness
of duty.
31st degree Grand Inspector Inquisitor Commander This degree reminds us to remember the frailty and imperfection of human nature and that the purpose of punishment is repentance and reformation and not for an eye for eye.
32nd degree Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret This degree reminds us of the words of the Master: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."