Is the Royal Arch the Supreme Degree ?
By EComp Neville Barker Cryer – 20 minutes
In this paper NBC explores whether the ritual does in fact describe the Royal Arch as the Supreme Degree and whether it is a degree at all and whether the importance of the Royal Arch is affected by whatever conclusion you reach. NBC takes the view that the Royal Arch has more important elements than the discovery of the “lost secrets” of Craft Freemasonry and what is contained in the ceremony of exaltation. In particular the lessons taught by the Historical and Symbolic lectures are at the root of Royal Arch Masonry as well as the various “secrets“ which are communicated as Companions pass through the three Principal’s chairs.
The paper includes an interesting section of early Masonic History and is thought provoking in the classic NBC manner.