arena
from attack by enemy forces. The construction of the vault and its approach tunnel is carried out by specially selected craftsmen and the existence of the vault is known only to the three Grand Masters and those actually engaged in the work. A craftsman not entitled to be there accidentally enters into the vault and is sentenced to death; however, his fortunes turn and he is eventually pardoned and admitted to the elite band of Select Masters. The Royal Master degree follows
chronologically, where the vault has been completed and is in the process of being loaded up with the sacred treasures, Adoniram, one of the senior overseers, engages in conversation with H.A. and the latter inadvertently explains how he intends to ensure that the Master Word shall never become lost; in the course of this explanation the candidate hears some truly magnificent ritual which is certain to remain in his mind for a long, long time. H.A. realises, too late, that he has revealed to Adoniram something he should not have done and Adoniram is sworn to secrecy. Shortly after this, H.A. is slain and it is only through Adoniram's knowledge of H.A.'s intentions that the Master Word is indeed preserved. The degree of the Most Excellent
Master takes for its scenario, the point where the Temple is being dedicated to the glory of God and King Solomon determines to reward some of his most skilful craftsmen with the rank of Most Excellent Master. The fourth and final degree in this series is built around the invasion of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, the siege and fall of the city and the eventual destruction of the Temple and the removal of the Jews to Babylon, where they remain in captivity for
SUMMER 2013
seventy years until, by the good grace of Cyrus, King of Persia, they are allowed to return to Jerusalem and make a start on building a second temple on the site where the first formerly stood. All Royal Arch Masons will, of course, be very familiar with the course of events from this point. The Order is administered from
Mark Mason’s Hall and the Head of the Order, is Most Illustrious Companion J Alan Wright, Grand Master. The basic unit of operation is the Council and these are organised into Districts. In the District of London, Right Illustrious Companion Vince Driver presides as District Grand Master. The District of London was formed on Wednesday 4th June 1997. On 13th June 2007, Rt. Ill. Companion David Ivor Williams, having retired as District Grand Master after a ten year reign, V. Ill. Companion Brian Anthony Vickers was installed as District Grand Master for a period of five years from that date. Following the retirement of Companion Vickers in June 2012, Rt. Ill. Companion Vincent John Driver was installed as District Grand Master on 28th June 2012. There are ten Councils within the
District with a total membership well into the 300’s. In addition to the ten Councils “The Council of Improvement” was formed in 1998 to serve as a centre of excellence, and to assist the Companions of London in improving their ritual. It holds rehearsal meetings from September to November and January to June inclusive in each Masonic Year. Brethren wishing to find out more about the Order may refer to the following links: The District of London website at
www.rsmlondon.org as well as the general website for the Order at
www.glmmm.com/rsm/default.aspx
The jewel of a Select Master.
29
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40