Mentoring - The Royal Arch Chapter

The Antient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons THE PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE and ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER OF DURHAM

ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER YOUR FOURTH STEP

The completion of pure and Ancient Freemasonry

Dear Companion

You are to be congratulated on taking your fourth step in Freemasonry and being exalted into The Holy Royal Arch. I trust you will find this to be a new and exciting dimension in your masonic life. Now that you have acquired the genuine secrets of a Master Mason your progress in Freemasonry can be considered complete. At the start of your masonic journey, and to commemorate your first step, you were given the “Entered Apprentice” booklet which explained to you some of the basic principles of Freemasonry as well as outlining to you the significance of the ceremony of initiation. After taking your second step, and being passed to the Second Degree, you received the “Fellowcraft” booklet which, as well as reminding you of the ceremony you passed through, indicated some further aspects of our Order and your place in it. After your third step you were raised to the sublime degree, of a Master Mason and given a booklet appropriate to that degree. You have now been presented with the Royal Arch booklet, being the fourth and final in the series. This booklet is intended to help your assimilation into this supreme degree, offering you an explanation of the meaning of this most rewarding of masonic orders. It will help you to understand the ceremony of exaltation It will explain the inter-relationship between the Craft and Royal Arch and the significance of “Chapter” masonry. All four booklets combine to help you understand the journey you have taken in Freemasonry. Although your journey may be considered complete, I trust that this will not be the end of your curiosity and quest for masonic knowledge. There are many aspects of Freemasonry that could not be contained within the four booklets. Your personal mentors, the Craft and Chapter mentors, and members of your Lodge and Chapter will be pleased to answer any questions you have and to discuss topics that interest or puzzle you. You should also remember that “Solomon” contains a vast wealth of masonic information which can be accessed on-line at any time. Once understood, you will find our rituals to be enjoyable, interesting and spiritually uplifting, however, the acquisition of masonic knowledge is a two-way process and relies mainly on the relationship between you, your mentors and members of your Craft and Chapter. All we ask of you is that you retain your curiosity, never be afraid to ask questions, always be frank about your needs and wishes, be proud to be known as a Freemason and above all, enjoy your Freemasonry. To this end we will continue to ensure that you have a sense of:

Yours sincerely and fraternally

The Officers and Companions of The Royal Arch Chapter of Durham

The “Grand Emblem of Royal Arch Masonry” or the “Emblem of all Emblems” The Triple Tau, formed by three Tau Crosses, sometimes known as the Cross of St Anthony, placed in the centre

The Craft Degrees focused on your entry into the world (or birth), in the First; our journey through it (or life) in the Second; and the end of it (or death) in the Third. The Royal Arch encourages us to think about our future, eternal, existence.

The Inter-Relations hip of Craft and Royal Arch Freemasonry

Your exaltation was the completion of your personal journey through pure Antient Masonry. The First Degree concentrated on the entrance of all men into this world and how we should relate to our fellow men. The Second Degree emphasised the benef it of education in its widest sense. The Third Degree demonstrated that death is pref erable to dishonour, but it left you in a state of incompleteness because the death of Hiram Abif meant that the secrets of a Master Mason were lost. The Royal Arch is not a separate degree, but it fulfils two functions; one, it reveals to you the genuine secrets of a Master Mason; and, two, it leads you to think about your relationship with your God and your future existence in the hereafter. These two lessons complete your journey through pure Antient Freemasonry.

Before you were admitted into the Chapter, the Scribe E confirmed that you were a Master Mason, in good standing, and one of the sojourners was deputed to test you to prove that you were indeed a Master Mason. You were then entrusted with the Passwords and their meanings, and were admitted. No man can become a Royal Arch Companion unless he is a Master Mason.

In the Chapter ceremony, King Solomon’s Temple is to be replaced by another, but the first temple, central to the Craft ceremonies, is still highly significant, since it is in clearing the ground of the debris of that former temple that so much is revealed. You confirmed that you still relied on God for aid in difficulty and you advanced to the Sacred Shrine by steps, which emphasised your Craft progress. But, notice that you did not take further steps, because this is a completion, not something extra. In your Obligation you made a solemn and binding promise which was similar to, although different from, your obligations in the Craft. What you committed yourself to was different in its details. The five points of fellowship in the Third Degree, and the five signs of a Master Mason, are echoed in the Ceremony of Exaltation by five signs being explained to you.

The Royal Arch jewel should always be placed in the prime position on your breast, as you are now a Companion of the Supreme Degree in Freemasonry, i.e. on the inside of all other jewels so as to be the nearest to your heart, and because you have completed your journey through Pure Antient Freemasonry You should wear your Royal Arch Jewel in a Craft Lodge on all occasions in order that all may know that you are a Royal Arch Companion. www.durhamfreemasons.org

The Significance of the Royal Arch

In the earliest days of masonry there was only one Grand Lodge in England. It had been established in 1717 by four lodges who met for that purpose at “The Goose and Gridiron”, a tavern in St Paul’s churchyard in London. This Grand Lodge was known as the Premier Grand Lodge. Over time, one of the things it did was to rewrite, update, and formalise parts of the ritual. Not everyone was happy with the changes made, and so, it didn’t take long for some disaffected masons to believe that the long-established customs of the Craft were not being followed. They raised a number of issues, in particular the reversal of passwords, deChristianisation and, especially, the exclusion of the Royal Arch. This group set up a rival Grand Lodge following a meeting at the Turk’s Head Tavern, in Greek Street, Soho, in 1751. This was, impressively, called “The Most Antient and Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons According to the Old Institutions”–popularly shortened to “The Antients”. Real progress wasn’t made until the Duke of Sussex became Grand Master of the Moderns, and his brother the Duke of Kent became Grand Master of the Antients. Because of their closeness, the union eventually took place. That happened in 1813, and the Duke of Sussex was elected as Grand Master of the newly named UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND. The union was finally agreed only after a tough compromise had been reached and is evidenced by The Preliminary Declaration in the preamble to Rule 1 of today’s Book ofConstitutions:

“By the solemn act of union between the two Grand Lodges of Free-Masons of England in December 1813, it was declared and pronounced that pure Antient Masonry consists of three degrees and no more, namely those of the Entered Apprentice, the Fellow Craft, and the Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch.”

In the end, the compromise that enabled the union to proceed was this: the Royal Arch remained part of pure Antient Masonry, as is reflected today by the fact that the Royal Arch jewel is worn in Craft lodges, thus satisfying the Antients. However, the Royal Arch was nevertheless treated as separate from the Craft, and has not subsequently been ‘worked’ in a Craft lodge, thus satisfying the Moderns. In 1817, four years after the "Antients" and the "Moderns" had united their Craft Grand Lodges, the new United Grand Lodge oversaw the formation of a "Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England" to govern the Holy Royal Arch in England and Wales, however, debates about the 4th Degree, or the Royal Arch Degree continued for nearly two hundred years.

Chapter Officers and Jewels

The Royal Arch is the continuation of Craft Freemasonry. Its members, called Companions, meet in Chapters.

Chapters are empowered by warrants issued by Supreme Grand Chapter. Chapters are ruled over by three Principals who rule conjointly and, when in Chapter assembled, are to be considered conjointly as the Master (Bof C 48).

The Principals are distinguished by the colour of their robes and the sceptres of their offices. The three Principals, and other officers, are installed at the annual installation.

The Three Co-Principals

The three Principals are elected to those offices at the regular convocation of that Chapter prior to the annual installation meeting.

Zerubbabel

In Royal Arch Masonry, Zerubbabel is the equivalent to the Worshipful Master in the Craft, he rules and directs his Chapter with (and not the assistance of) his two co-Principals Haggai and Joshua (BofC 48). He is known as the First Principal and sits in the East, occupying the same position as the WM in Craft Masonry.

As in Craft Masonry, a “ladder system” is adopted whereby companions progress up the ladder, eventually reaching the office of Zerubbabel. In order to qualify for the office of First Principal a companion must have been installed as Second Principal and have occupied that position for a minimum period of one year.

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Zerubbabel is distinguished by his crimson robe, which is an allusion to fervency and zeal and is the appropriate colour of the Royal Arch. He also carries a sceptre bearing a crown, this being an emblem of imperial dignity and power. The jewel on his collar is also a crown.

Haggai

Haggai is known as the Second Principal (similar to that of the SW in Craft Masonry) and in order to fill that office he must have served as Third Principal for at least one year.

Haggai is distinguished by his purple robe, an emblem of harmony and union, being a combination of the colours blue and crimson. The former being the appropriate colour of symbolical Masonry and the latter of the Royal Arch. His sceptre bears an all seeing-eye, being an emblem of vigilance, standing as watchman to the companions of his chapter. The all-seeing eye is also his collar jewel.

Joshua

Joshua is the Third Principal (similar to that of the JW in Craft Masonry) and, in order to fill that office, he must have served as Scribe, Principal Sojourner or Assistant Sojourner for at least one year.

Joshua is distinguished by his blue robe, this being the most durable colour of nature and the colour adopted by our ancient brethren in Craft Masonry. His sceptre bears a mitre, which is an emblem of dignity, whilst his collar jewel is the Volume of the Sacred Law surmounting a glory enclosed within a triangle.

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The First Principal is usually referred to as the “Most Excellent” (ME). The Second and Third Principals are known as “Excellent Companion” and retain this nomenclature during the remainder of their Royal Arch careers.

Under their robes the fringe of their aprons are gold, the two tassels are suspended by ribbons of crimson and the emblem also has a backing of crimson. The fringes on their sashes are gold and the emblem is backed by crimson. T heir breast jewel is also suspended on a crimson ribbon (Bof C96).

Companions of the Royal Arch.

All other members of the Chapter, with the exception of Past Zerubbabels, are known as Companions. The aprons worn by the Companions are similar to those of the Principals except that the tassels are suspended on white ribbons and the emblem is mounted on a white background. The fringe on their sashes is silk with the emblem having a white background (BofC 96 & 97). www.durhamfreemasons.org

Provincial Grand Chapter Officers

As with Craft Masonry, when a companion has passed through the chair of his chapter, he may be given Provincial Grand Rank. The tassels are then suspended on blue ribbons and the backing of the emblem is blue. The apron bears the badge of his office and he also wears a collar of light blue, red and blue stripes.

Jewels worn by a Companion, Principal and Provincial Grand Chapter Officer

Companions may hold any of the following offices:

Scribe Ezra

Scribe Ezra (SE) is the secretary of the Chapter. He keeps the Chapter Minutes and is responsible for the paperwork including the issuing of summonses and the completion of the Annual Returns to Supreme Grand Chapter. SE is also responsible for liaison with Provincial Grand Chapter, other Chapters and the day-today communications to and from members. He usually has his own desk and chair in the North East of the Chapter Room.

SE wears a white surplice. His jewel is two pens in saltire tied by a ribbon and mounted within a triangle.

Assistant Scribe Ezra

The assistant Scribe Ezra sits beside SE and assists in the secretarial work of the Chapter but normally has an inactive role in the proceedings.

His jewel is similar to that of SE with the addition of a bar bearing the word “assistant”.

Treasurer

Like the Principals, the Treasurer is elected at the convocation prior to the installation meeting. He is responsible for the f inances of the Chapter. He receives fees from the Chapter members and makes payments in accordance with the day-to-day running costs. The Treasurer is also responsible for submitting the annual audited accounts of the Chapter. He usually has a table and chair in the Chapter Room, normally in the South East, but its position will vary f rom chapter- to- chapter depending on available space.

The Treasurer also wears a white surplice. His jewel is a key mounted within a triangle.

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Scribe Nehemiah

Scribe Nehemiah (SN) is roughly the equivalent of the Inner Guard in Craft Masonry. He occupies a position within the entrance of the Chapter Room and receives visitors. Scribe Nehemiah also assists in the Ceremony of Exaltation.

SN also wears a white surplice. His jewel is identical to that of Scribe Ezra.

Director of Ceremonies

The Director of Ceremonies (DC) is responsible for the ceremonial of the Chapter and the smooth running of the meeting. He ensures that all articles necessary for the convocation are laid out correctly and arranges processions in and out of the Chapter Room.

He is, of necessity, positioned in a prominent place in the Chapter, normally to the left, and in front of the ME, so that he can observe that all procedures and rituals are carried out correctly and, if not, can quickly intervene to assist if the need arises. The DC, therefore, should also have a thorough understanding of the ritual.

His jewel is two rods in saltire intertwining a laurel wreath and mounted within a triangle.

Assistant Director of Ceremonies

The Chapter will appoint an assistant D C to assist the DC. His duties in Chapter meetings will depend on the DC

The Assistant’s Jewel is similar to that of the DC with the addition of a bar bearing the word “Assistant”.

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Almoner

The duties of a Royal Arch Almoner are identical to those of the Craft Almoner. He keeps in touch with Chapter members and their families in times of illness or distress. Funds are usually made available to the Almoner f or specif ic purposes such as the distribution of Christmas cards and gifts to the widows of the Chapter.

The jewel suspended to the Almoner’s collar is a scrip purse mounted within a triangle.

The Sojourners

The word “sojourner” is derived f rom the verb sojourn, to stay or to rest awhile; however, the meaning ascribed to it in this sense is a journeyman builder. There are three Sojourners in Royal Arch Masonry, all of whom wear a white surplice.

Principal Sojourner

The Principal Sojourner is seated in the West opposite the ME and assists the Principals with the opening and closing ceremonies of the Chapter He also delivers a major part of the Exaltation ritual and conducts the candidate around the Chapter Room during the ceremony of exaltation.

The Principal Sojourner’s jewel is a Square surmounting a glory and set within a triangle.

First Assistant Sojourner

The First Assistant Sojourner sits in the West and to the right of the Principal Sojourner. He delivers ritual, and assists the Principal Sojourner in conducting the candidate around the Chapter Room, during the ceremony of exaltation.

The First Assistant Sojourner’s jewel is a Square mounted within a triangle.

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Second Assistant Sojourner

The Second Assistant Sojourner sits in the West to the left of the Principal Sojourner He proves the candidate prior to the exaltation ceremony and entrusts the candidate with the passwords of the Supreme Degree.

The Second Assistant Sojourner’s jewel is identical to the First Assistant’s.

Organist

You will know from your experience in the Craft that a good organist really can make a difference to the atmosphere of a Chapter meeting, augmenting our singing and adding harmony to the proceedings.

The jewel appended to the Organist’s collar is a lyre mounted within a triangle.

The Stewards

The Stewards are normally the newer members of the Chapter and , arguably, have one of the most important duties of the Chapter, which is to look after the visitors and the needs of their own companions at the festive board.

Carrying out these duties enables the Steward to meet and talk to many members of the Chapter, getting to know them and learning to become involved with the Chapter proceedings.

The jewel is a Cornucopia (Horn of Plenty) mounted within a triangle.

Janitor

The Janitor is the equivalent to the Tyler in Craft Masonry. He will be situated outside the door of the Chapter and is responsible for preparing the candidate for Exaltation and for receiving visitors.

The qualification for election to Janitor is that of being a subscribing member to a Chapter (not necessarily a member of that particular Chapter. BofC 48)

The Janitor’s jewel is a sword mounted within a triangle. www.durhamfreemasons.org

Layout of the Chapter Ro om

When you were restored to light many impressions would have been made on your mind regarding the layout of the Chapter Room and the assembled companions. Facing you were the three Principals in their coloured robes and carrying their sceptres. The banners were held inwards by the companions, the six lights (3 lesser lights and 3 greater lights) near the Altar and, maybe more impressive, were the colours, of crimson, purple and blue

Typical layout of a Chapter Room, there may be variations in the layout of your Chapter

Around the floor of the Chapter are the 12 Ensigns representing the 12 tribes of Israel. On the back wall you can see four Banners which depict an Ox to represent patience and assiduity, Man to personify intelligence and understanding, a Lion to represent strength and power, and an Eagle to represent promptness and celerity.

The Arch is normally positioned in front of the kneeling stool and our picture shows the Keystone in the centre.The Three Principals of a Chapter figuratively represent the keystone.The letters on the arch spell out the words "FIAT LUX" meaning "Let there be light", figuring on the scroll found in the vault.

You will remember that the Sojourners were given “proper working implements”, a pick, shovel and crow. These are considered as the working tools of the Degree.

The Story Behind the Cere mony

The allegory is set in Jerusalem shortly after the return of the Jewish people from their captivity in Babylon when Zerubbabel is preparing to rebuild the Temple. This will be the second Temple and is to be on the site of the first (King Solomon’s) Temple. The organising council (or Grand Sanhedrin) is disturbed by the late arrival of three sojourners, or journeymen workers, who wish to assist in the rebuilding of the Temple. Eventually they are given the task of clearing away the debris of the former Temple so that the foundations of the new one can be laid. In the course of their labours they discover the long lost, genuine secrets of a Master Mason and are rewarded.

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Origi ns of the Royal Arch Ritual

After the death of King Solomon (960-922 BC) the Kingdom was divided into two, with 10 tribes in the north forming Israel and two tribes in the south forming Judah. The northern kingdom of Israel, capital Samaria, had been overwhelmed by the Assyrians in 721 BC. The people were partly carried off and the country resettled by Assyrians and others who eventually intermarried with the locals thus forming, in the eyes of the people of Judah, an impure race and no longer part of the “chosen people”.

Meanwhile, the kingdom of Judah had been going through some bad times but, when Josiah became king in 640 BC, he instituted a revival of the true religious ceremonies and sought to restore Judah to the true ways of scriptural teaching. His people saw him as a messenger of God and it was a great shock to them when he was killed in battle fighting against the Egyptians. Eventually the victorious Egyptians forced the Judeans to accept Jehoachim as King. Jehoachim had to pay heavy tributes to the Egyptians and soon the religious work, instigated by Joshua, was ignored. It is against this background that the many warnings of the prophet Jeremiah were given.

By this time the Assyrian empire had largely broken up and a new power was rising in Babylon where Nabopolasser had declared himself independent in 625 BC. He subdued what is now Syria and parts of Turkey and advanced down the coast through Tyre and Sidon until his death in 604 BC. He was succeeded by his son Nebuchadnezzar who continued the campaign through the Gaza Strip and eventually besieged Jerusalem in 603 BC. Jehoachim was now f orced to pay tributes to Nebuchadnezzar, sometimes given as the start of the 70 year exile. Two years later , Jehoachim joined forces with the Egyptians against Nebuchadnezzar but was defeated and killed. His son Jehoachim surrendered to the Babylonians and was led into captivity in Babylon with approximately 1000 of his people, mostly nobles, soldiers, some priests and workmen such as blacksmiths and armourers.

Following further unrest in Jerusalem, and another alliance with Egypt against Nebuchadnezzar in 589 BC, the Babylonian army again laid siege to Jerusalem and, after 18 months, tore down the walls, looted and destroyed the temple and royal palace, and carried-off the majority of people to Babylon. The people of Judah now settled in areas around Babylon, initially in a state of despair, but many found refuge in their faith thanks to the prophets Ezekiel and Isaiah who remembered the teachings and warnings of Jeremiah In time though, many Judeans began to prosper and enjoyed living in Babylon and even adopted the Aramaic language in preference to their own Hebrew tongue.

Nebuchadnezzar died in 561 BC and his successors were not up to the task of ruling the empire, and imperial power gradually broke down. The northern part fell to the Medes who expanded through the region. Part of the Median empire was Persia and a new dynasty was emerging led by Cyrus. Cyrus defeated and then assimilated the Medes, defeated the fabulously rich Croesus of Lydia, and marched on Babylon. He entered Babylon unopposed on 29th August 539 BC.

In the following year Cyrus issued his famous edict to free the exiles from captivity to allow the Temple at Jerusalem to be rebuilt, and the holy vessels to be returned. The reasons for this are threefold. Firstly, he did not want to impose a single religion on any of his subjects, secondly, Cyrus believed he could rule through loyalty rather than fear, and finally, he needed Judah to be a strong point in his empire as it was his southern boundary with Egypt, who remained a major threat.

The first wave of returning exiles set out in 536 BC led by the son of Jehoachim Probably 1000 people in all, mostly connected with work at the Temple but, with only four priestly families. They found a very hostile reception from those still occupying the land, especially the Samaritans who had been put in charge of Jerusalem. They also had to contend with famine and drought and it was no surprise that more exiles did not join them (who were doing rather well in Babylon!).

Work on the Temple began but, refusing help from the Samaritans who they considered to be impure (hence the reference in our ritual of not allowing any strangers to partake in the work), it was slow going and they soon became disheartened. The Samaritans retaliated by sending word to the new king of Persia saying that the returned exiles were plotting against him and Cyrus ordered the work to stop.

In 520 BC Darius assumed power and a second and much larger wave of exiles returned to Jerusalem led by Zerubbabel, grandson of Jehoachim assisted by Joshua the High Priest and Haggai the prophet.

This is where your story begins.........

(The work restarted and the temple was finally completed in 515 BC.) www.durhamfreemasons.org

The Ceremony Explained

You were blindfolded so that you entered the Chapter in a state of darkness, just as you will enter upon eternal life not knowing what to expect; and, you were about to be admitted to a f ull participation of the secrets of a Master Mason and so receive the light of a Master Mason, both of which were promised to you at your Raising, but not revealed.

Having confirmed that you still relied on God f or support and protection, you were conducted round the Chapter on a circular path which was meant to represent your journey through life. Figuratively speaking, you demonstrated your faith in God by committing yourself to the protection of your conductor.

You were directed to advance towards the “Sacred Shrine” upon which the secrets are deposited, by seven steps, and in a particular manner, to ref lect the number of steps you advanced to the pedestal in each of your Craft Degrees, i.e. three in the First, five in the Second and seven in the Third. You bowed to the Sacred Name after three steps to acknowledge and confirm the Obligation you took at your initiation; after two more, (i.e. five) in reference to your Obligation when you Passed; and you bowed after two more (i.e. seven) to confirm your commitment in the Third Degree when you were Raised.

After removing two of the Arch Stones you figuratively descended into the vault and listened to a portion of Scripture that point out that the happiness brought about by the knowledge of God is greater than that obtained from material possessions. In the vault, you found a scroll but were unable to read it because of the darkness, so you returned to the surface. The importance of that scroll encouraged you to widen the opening and re-enter the vault where you listened to another Scripture reading, in which Haggai exhorts the builders, who had become discouraged when they realised that the new Temple was not going to be as big and resplendent as its predecessor, to build a house to the glory of God. You then took the Obligation of a Royal Arch Mason. Do not forget the promise you made there!

The blindfold being ceremoniously removed and you being admitted to the “Light of the Order” was intended to be a defining moment in the ceremony. Hopefully, the sight that met you was so impressive and unexpected that it will live with you for the rest of your masonic life, and it is redolent with meaning; before you lay an allegorical pattern of your progress through life. Immediately in front of you were the stones which represent the obstacles that you had to overcome in your search for life and truth. The chequered flooring represents the mixture of joys and sorrows encountered on your journey and it also guides your eyes to the Pedestal, its top still veiled to indicate knowledge yet to be revealed. The crow, pick and shovel are to remind you that further work and effort will be required of you. The sword and trowel point out that you should build soundly and be ever re ady to defend what you build. T he book, square and compasses remind you of the Craft Degrees which led you here.

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The Volume of the Sacred Law is essential and ever-present in our ceremonies and you took your Obligation on a hand-sized version of it. To the right and left of you were the “former companions of your toils” ref erred to at your Raising and with whom you are now reunited and who will support you on your journey; at the opposite end of the Arch from you, the three Principals stood with their scep tres forming a triangle, the most sacred symbol in modern times, and you were able to read the scroll which had stimulated you to such further exertions that you were led to discover the long-lost, genuine secrets of a Master Mason.

The remainder of the Exaltation Ceremony was a more detailed explanation of how those secrets were discovered and the procedures employed by the Sanhedrin to establish the veracity of what had been found and to reward those who had discovered them.

Where Should You Look for Further Guidance?

It is appreciated that the Ceremony of Exaltation may well seem strange to you and that the Chapter environment may well be different from the one you have been accustomed to in the Craft. In order to help you to assimilate, the Province of Durham has a mentoring system in the Chapter, which has many similarities to the one you have probably become accustomed to in your Craft lodge. Within your Chapter there is a Mentor and he may well have made contact with you even before you have read this Guide. He will try his utmost to facilitate your entry into the Chapter and will offer you much guidance, and any questions that he cannot answer he will try to have answered f or you by ref erence to someone else. You too, should take advantage of what other, more experienced, Companions can offer; they will be very happy to assist you.

Your proposer and seconder should not be missed out! They will have much to contribute, and will be able to direct you to others who can help in situations where they cannot.

Please read this Guide caref ully, and seek explanations of any aspects of it that you find difficult. Visit a neighbouring Chapter or Chapters. This is probably best done in company with a Companion(s) from your own Chapter, and talk about what you see.

W hen you get the opportunity to hear the Three Lectures of the Chapter, listen caref ully and try to understand the explanations that they give. The Symbolical Lecture may well afford your first opportunity to be involved in delivering Chapter Ritual. Take it when it comes along.

The Annual Convocation of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Durham is a very special occasion. Take the opportunity of absorbing the atmosphere and enjoying the experience.

Most new situations can be daunting for many of us but, if you take the help and guidance that is available, the Holy Royal Arch Chapter will prove to be a very rewarding step in your Masonic progress.

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