LESSONS OF THE SCOTTISH RITE DEGREES (PHA)
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:
-
Lodge of
Perfection, 4th degree to 14th degree (Presiding officer -
Thrice Potent Master)
-
Chapter of Rose
Croix, 15th thru 18th degree (Presiding officer - Most Wise and
Perfect Master)
-
Council of Knights
Kadosh, 19th thru 30th Degree (Presiding officer -
Commander-In-Chief)
-
Consistory of
Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret, 31st degree to 32nd degree
(Presiding officer - Commander-in-Chief)
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"
Lodge of Perfection
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
Chapter of Rose Croix
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.
Consistory
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." |
