Why 3 Degrees?

Initially the Craft was actually two degrees until about the 1720s. The reasons then were straightforward—the first was for young apprentices and the second for more experienced stonemasons who would be paid more and had more privileges. A second degree was necessary to ensure payment was done properly. The third degree has often been stated as an extension to the two degrees becoming too large. For example, this has merit in that the fpof used to be in the FC. However, three degrees followed universities with a Bachelor, Master and Doctor. Unlike today, where it is possible to do a doctorate without a bachelor’s degree if you pay your money (applicable only in the last 15 years in many subject areas, science, medicine, law being exceptions in many universities as previous knowledge is essential), the Craft continues to ensure candidates must progress through each degree. William Hutcheson published his Illustrations of Masonry in 1775 based on three degrees where the EA represented the duties of morality, the FC the rational and intellectual powers and the MM was to contemplate God and the important lessons on how to die. More fully, each degree can be described as:

Perhaps the three degrees have appeared due to the length of the EA/FC, but it’s unlikely. Many lodges could do three degrees in one night still finishing at a good time. The MM was amended over time by brethren such as Hutcheson and William Preston who added charges and lecture to make it the rich source of ritual today.