Chingford Masonic Social Group

Why The Royal Arch

On Wednesday 23rd March 2005 at Chingford Masonic Hall, there was a presentation by W Bro Bill Gunary APGM and E Comp Ken Elmes ProvGH about the Order of the Royal Arch. W Bro Bill Gunary addressed those who had assembled with a paper by E Comp Roy Wells “Why the Royal Arch”. The paper contained many references during the history of the Royal Arch. As most brethren will know, the Royal Arch is generally known as the completion of the Third Degree, in fact, it is an extension of the Third Degree, and is neither inferior or superior. The paper consisted of two themes of before the exile and of the building of the second Temple. According to the Old Institutions known as the “Antients”, the Premier and earlier Grand Lodge of 1717 was dubbed “The Moderns”, terms that remain in use to this day. Within a year, Laurence Dermott, a most extraordinary, and accomplished Freemason was appointed Grand Secretary, and he dedicated his life to the cause of the Antients. From the presentation paper we were given may significant dates and information about the formation of the Royal Arch, which to those assembled was proved to be most interesting.
The paper, as with many other “Lectures” is produced by the London Grand Rank Association, and if your Chapter needs to present a lecture, the London Grand Rank Association is an excellent source for obtaining such lectures. There are also interesting booklets for those who are interested in the Royal Arch, known as the “Peterborough Booklets”, one of which is “Why join the Royal Arch”.
E Comp Ken Elmes ProvGH then talked to the Brethren and presented some views of the Royal Arch and how the brethren should approach prospective members to the Order. E Comp Ken stated that the Royal Arch depends on the Craft for the flow of the Order. It is better that a Companion should be recruited than be attracted. To be attracted can be achieved by explaining the Royal Arch to a prospective candidate to the Order, and a candidate should take time to consider to join the Order, so that he could become a potential recruit in the future.
The Royal Arch has long been recognised as the completion of the Third Degree, which is now not so from 10th September 2005. In making a consideration for a new prospective candidate, it is best to point out that soon after a Brother has been Raised, he can be Exalted in the Royal Arch.
E Comp Ken asked the question “do you enjoy the Royal Arch?”, the response was positive from the brethren attending the seminar, and he went on to suggest that we should not learn the ritual in a“parrot fashion”, but that all the Companions of your Chapter should be participating at the meetings. If there is no complete agenda of Chapter work, the Companions, should perhaps present a lecture on the Royal Arch or encourage the younger Companions to participate in the “Explanation of the Banners”, and the whole symbolism of the Order. If there are other areas of the ritual that can be shared, E.Comp Ken certainly gives his approval as part of the mentoring scheme. E Comp Ken then went on to present information on the Royal Arch Mason’s clothing to include robes, aprons, sashes, collars and jewels. The colours of the Royal Arch “blue, purple and scarlet” are taken from Exodus XXV,v4, and XXVI,v1. In a Royal Arch Chapter the First Principal wears a scarlet robe, the emblem of imperial dignity, the Second Principal, a purple robe, the emblem of union, and the Third Principal, a blue robe, the emblem of universal friendship and benevolence.
It is generally agreed that the Royal Arch “sash” has long been associated with chivalry, and is considered to be a source of inspiration to wearing the “sash” as part of the Royal Arch Regalia. The crimson-and-purple indented sash is worn over the left shoulder, passing obliquely to the right, with a silk fringe at the end. The “tassels” of the aprons of Principals and past Principals is of crimson as is the Royal Arch jewel, and white for Companions who have not yet been installed into the J Chair.
The tassels on the aprons of Grand Officers and Provincial Grand Officers is dark blue and the triple tau emblem is on a dark blue background. The Royal Arch Jewel is tricolour of dark blue, crimson and light blue. All Royal Arch Companions should wear their Royal Arch Jewel with their Craft regalia, and is normally on the left breast and to the right of any other Craft Jewel, this means that the Royal Arch Jewel would be close to your heart. The new Royal Arch Mason would recognise that a white ribbon on the jewel represents a Companion of the Order, Crimson for the Principals.
Unfortunately, although the presentation of “Why the Royal Arch” was not so well supported, those who did attend were treated to excellent lectures by W Bro Bill Gunary APGM and E Comp Ken Elmes ProvGH.

article by E.Comp Allan de Luca - Fiducial Chapter 8753