MOST EXCELLENT MASTER DEGREE

MOST EXCELLENT MASTER DEGREE

By Bill Wojtas PHP, EGM2V

As the lesson of the Mark Master Degree is ties to that of the Blue Lodge Fellowcraft Degree, the Most Excellent Master Degree is tied to the Master Mason Degree.  The Master Mason degree touches on the concepts of death, resurrection and immortality of the soul in its allegories.  The sixth degree’s symbolism represents the man preparing himself to take on that journey.  

In our current degree, we are taught that the Temple which we have just built, represents our present life. 

The foreign country into which, after its completion a Mason is expected to travel, is that undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns.  The wages he is to receive are the rewards of a well spent life and a knowledge of divine truth which the Grand Architect of the Universe will bestow upon all who faithfully perform their task. 

This alludes to the idea that we need to perfect our craft, “… who faithfully perform their task”.  We need to prepare ourselves for that journey to immortality by performing the good works leading to a life well spent. 

…that if we have erected the temple of our inner life by square, plumb line and rule, its foundations shall never fail and its fabrics shall never crumble nor decay.  Then let us, my Brother, take care that we so labor in the erection of our temple here, that when we shall leave this for that far distant country, whence we shall never return, we may there receive the wages of faithful craftsmen. 

How we as Most Excellent Masters prepare ourselves for that journey is found in the history of the degree and the charge. 

From a historical standpoint, the Most Excellent Master Degree was an honor which was established by King Solomon to bestow upon craftsmen who have distinguished themselves and have proven themselves to be masters of their profession.  It was an order of merit bestowed upon those craftsmen who were worthy of praise due to their merits. 

When the temple was completed, we are taught that King Solomon received and acknowledged the most distinguished craftsmen by bestowing the honor of Most Excellent Master.  With that honor came the privilege of the ability to travel to foreign countries to seek employment.  They were also charged with bringing light and truth to those who are yet uninformed. 

The historical charge of the degree admonishes us to be completely familiar with the preceding degrees so that we have the ability to dispense that truth.  If you are not, you are expected to apply “double diligence” in making that so.  We are charged with making ourselves intimately familiar with the lectures of all the preceding degrees so that we ourselves are true experts in our craft and able to dispense light and truth to our brethren who are yet uninformed.  

We must strive to perfect our craft so that we may dispense that light.  So that we live our lives in accordance with the teachings of all our degrees thus performing the good works necessary for a life well spent to become worthy of our wages.  We are obligated to live in the light so that we dispense that light by example and that we help those who have imperfections by providing good counsel, discretely. 

This is how we prepare ourselves for that journey we call life to eventually meet our own mortality, so that when we take on that next stage, we may receive our wages in a glorious immortality.

The Lodge of Past Masters

The Lodge of Past Masters

By W. B. Wojtas PHP

The Past Master Degree is an Honorary degree and it’s earliest reference is noted in Anderson’s Book of constitutions, written in 1723.  Originally, Royal Arch Masonry was under the governance of the Symbolic Lodge where the Royal Arch Degree was conferred.  At that time, the regulations mandated that the Royal Arch Degree was only conferred upon a Brother who has sat in the Oriental Seat of his Symbolic Lodge.  This was done because it was accepted that the Royal Arch Degree was too important of a degree to be conferred on a Master Mason who has yet sat in the East. 

Of course, over time, this restriction became a hindrance to progress and exceptions were made on occasions, and later, more often.  Eventually, the degree became a part of the Chapter, its own entity, but the tradition remained to signify the importance of this undertaking. 

Mackey writes in The Book of the Chapter,

While as masons we admit the general equality of men in their relation to their common Creator and acknowledge with proper humility that we are all traveling on the level of time to that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns we do not deny the advantage and propriety of distinctions in society based on a difference of talent and position and we know that while some must rule govern others must of necessity be called upon to obey is to this view of the gradations of society that the fifth degree alludes in its ceremonies and instructions

The charges of this degree impress upon the mind of the Master Mason the importance of the qualities which a man needs to possess to lead his life in the light of Royal Arch Masonry.  Even if he has yet to seat in the East, he must consider and reflect on how he interacts with the men around him. 

We are reminded of the need to possess the qualities of judgment, discretion, wisdom, firmness and determination, which are symbolic of good leadership.  We must also be comfortable as one who can navigate under constituted authority employing obedience to those in charge and to promote good order and discipline. 

During the degree the Master Mason is asked to signify his assent to several charges, which are similar in nature to the charges given during the installation of an Actual Worshipful Master of a Lodge.  Most of which pertain to the qualities previously mentioned, inculcating within the man, those necessary qualities of Masonic leadership. 

Some ritual uses the Parable of the workers in the vineyard, Matthew 20:1-17 to impress on us the ideals of this degree.  It ties in to what is taught in the Mark Master degree. 

The allegory assumes that the Land owner represents Christ.  It is a very simple story, without any heavy theology that teaches an important lesson.  Since the landowner represents Christ, the vineyard represents his kingdom.  The concept here is that the story represents people working in the Lord’s kingdom, doing good works.  The wages being God’s gifts or rewards granted as a result, perhaps salvation.  However the length of service or amount of work does not determine the wage.   

In the story, the overseer paid those that came last and paid them a day’s wage for laboring just an hour or two.  The workers that had been there all day assumed that they would get more, because they labored all day.  However, their assumption was wrong and it upset them.  They in turn, complained to the Landowner, who reminded them of the agreement. 

He reminded them that he paid them exactly what he promised, so there was no need to complain.  Additionally, since he was the land owner, he was free to pay workers whatever he saw fit.  He told them to accept their wage and go.  There was no changing his mind and there was no law that would cause him to pay proportionately. 

The final point made it that the last will be first and the first will be last, a concept seen elsewhere in the Gospel. 

Knowing that the Landowner represents Christ, the allegory alludes to the fact that the Lord cannot be held to restrictions or customs on how He rewards people as we would be held to.  Additionally it states that His agreement with each group is fair and generous since without it that same agreement, they would have nothing.  In other words, it is by grace that He rewards the workers, just as it was by grace He offered them the place.  (www.bible.org)

How does this tie in to the allegory of the Mark Master Degree?  In a Symbolic Lodge, The Worshipful Master is sovereign and is has the ability to deal with the brethren in his Lodge in whatever way he deems necessary.   He is free to give some people more than others in relationship to their service or contribution to the Lodge.  He alone can make the decision of what wage give brethren for service, how to use them (all day or not), and how to reward their dedication to the Craft.  He can pay the same wages to those that labor long in the Craft as he would to those that work a shorter time, but more efficiently to achieve the same goal.  The Worshipful Master is charged and obligated to treat everyone fairly and with jurisprudence. 

The story starts out with a conventional plot, hiring day workers. But it turns at the end to what is totally unconventional, so that the people who worked the least got equal pay. How is it possible that the last shall be first? Not by agreement and not by contract--but by grace and grace alone. As 19:30 reminded us, with God all things are possible, and especially this work of grace that the last is first. If God extends grace to people at the eleventh hour, and they respond, trusting in His goodness, they will also receive what He promised others. If God calls people into service in His vineyard, and they serve Him faithfully, both the calling and the reward is by grace, especially if their work was not a full day. (https://bible.org/seriespage/workers-vineyard-matthew-201-16)

“This is good law” we all respond after the passage is read by the Worshipful Master.  When you receive the calling to the Craft, whether it was 50 years ago or last month, the reward is the same.  What is the labor of a Mason and what is his wage?

Our ritual admonishes us to be more mindful of our obligations.  We are all quick to kneel at the altar and take an obligation to perform and act in a certain way, but often forget what we swore or fail to understand what the obligation meant.  We overlook that an obligation is a pact with our Creator to do or perform what was contained therein.  We often behave as if that obligation was never made and this degree contains the warning.  Adherence to our obligation is the labor we have agreed with the Worshipful Master to perform as a part of his Lodge in the eyes of our Creator.  Our wage is the Light we receive in Masonry, the knowledge, the gift of greater morality as a just and upright Mason.  If we labor long and hard or quick and more efficient, our wage remains the same and it is good. 

It is the Worshipful Masters’ charge to guide his brethren to believe in and perform according to the solemn obligation by setting the example through his own conduct. 

This is, in my opinion the lesson taught in the 5^th degree.  We as Actual or Virtual Past Masters are admonished to live our lives and set the example to our brethren.  We live our lives in the Light of the Craft and all work toward a common goal, receiving the same wages as a Master Mason.  We must perform as Past Masters with a firm and steadfast resolution to our obligations, without fail, to give credibility to our position as a 5^th Degree Mason, as a just, amiable, discreet and virtuous man. 

The Charges to a Lodge of Mark Masters

The Charges to a Lodge of Mark Masters

By W. B. Wojtas PHP

“To change the metaphor, you come to him, as living stones to the immensely valuable living stone (which men rejected but God chose), to be built up into a spiritual House of God, in which you, like holy priests, can offer those spiritual sacrifices which are acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. There is a passage to this effect in scripture, and it runs like this: 'Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on him will by no means be put to shame'.”  (First  Epistle of Peter CH2:4-6)

The Charges of the Mark Master Degree are very important messages to those of us who have taken the obligation.  Albert Mackey wrote the  first charge (read at the opening of the Lodge) in his work, The Book of the Chapter and it states: 

Wherefore Brethren, lay aside all Malice, and guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings.

If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious, to whom coming as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious; ye also as living stones, be ye built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up sacrifices acceptable to God. 

Wherefore also, it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion, for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; he that believeth, shall not make haste to pass it over.  Unto you, therefore, which believe, it is an honor; and even to them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner. 

Brethren, this is the will of God, that with well doing, ye put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.  As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.  Honor all men; Love the Brotherhood; fear God. 

Why, Brethren! Do not consider the desire to cause harm to another person, deceitful cunning, feigning to be what one is not, the feeling to have what others have, and speaking ill of others.  

These are all things which we as men of good moral character should already subscribe to, but may need to be reminded of from time to time.  Often real life consumes us and we are not consciously aware of the obligations we took and the 3 charges we have received prior to this fourth.  Reading it, the first thing that comes to mind is that these words are just plain common sense, but to we keep them in the forefront of our minds as we live our lives and deal with our fellow man?  As a man of moral character, we often do, but it never hurts to be reminded of it, especially in times of stress or hardships. 

Although we have come to know that the Lord is gracious, coming to Him as a living stone, not accepted by men, but Chosen by God, and precious to HIm.  All of us as living stones, are all used to build a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up sacrifices acceptable to God. 

Knowing that God is good, we all come to him as his precious creations. All of us are a part of the Temple not built by human hands, dedicated to Him.  All of us giving up of ourselves to our Creator. 

Since it is written in Isaiah 28:16:  “So the Lord Yahweh says this, 'Now I shall lay a stone in Zion, a granite stone, a precious corner-stone, a firm foundation-stone: no one who relies on this will stumble.”   Hence to those of you who believe, it is an honor, and even to those of us who do not, to those of us who are not yet perfect, may still be a part of that temple. 

Brethren, The will of God teaches us that by living our lives doing good works, we set the example which may cause those who have yet received our light completely, to do so.  As a free  and accepted man, not using your position to cover any wrong doings, but living as servant of God. 

By living as a servant of God, following the moral treatises established in the volumes of sacred law, we are the craftsmen, by our example, creating perfect ashlars out of those of us who have yet to become perfect.  But even those who are yet perfect, are still accepted in the Creator’s eyes and are still capable of being stones in the building of the temple.  We must still honor them as fellows.  We must also work to honor our fellow brethren by setting the example for them to receive light completely, by honoring the tenets and morals of our fraternity.  We do this by living our lives, using the tools given to us by the Great Architect, an allegory for “fearing God”.

The second charge, which is given at the conclusion of the degree is much easier to read and understand. 

Brother : I congratulate you on having been thought worthy of being advanced to this honorary degree of Masonry. Permit me to impress it on your mind, that your assiduity should ever be commensurate with your duties, which become more and more extensive, as you advance in Masonry. In the honorable character of Mark Master Mason, it is more particularly your duty to endeavor to let your conduct in the lodge and among your brethren be such as may stand the test of the Great Over seer's square ; that you may not, like the unfinished and imperfect work of the negligent and unfaithful of former times, be rejected and thrown aside, as unfit for that spiritual building — that house not made with hands — eternal in the heavens. While such is your conduct, should misfortunes assail you, should friends forsake you, should envy traduce your good name, and malice persecute you, yet may you have confidence, that among Mark Master Masons you will find friends who will administer relief to your distresses and comfort to your afflictions, ever bearing in mind, as a consolation under all the frowns of fortune, and as an encouragement to hope for better prospects, that the stone which the builders rejected, possessing merits to them unknown, became the chief stone of the corner.

The message which is taught in the Mark Master degree is one of great importance throughout your Masonic life.  The symbolism of this parable teaches an important lesson. 

In Masonry, the most humble Mason shall receive as much reward as the haughtiest, provided he has labored at the task of seeking the truth as wisely, effectively and faithfully as possible. 
Mackey tells us that the wages of a Mason’s labors is truth and that the youngest Mason, laboring to seek that truth with great earnest over a short period, more so than the older Masons slowly laboring over the years, will thus receive more light in Masonry as the reward for his earnest labor.
 
The quarries of our Craft are open to everyone, but it is the one who works the most diligently and in the smartest way, though he began at a later time, shall receive no less than those who have labored longer, but with less heart put into the task. 

We will have to endure the heat of the day in our search for truth if we do not do so wisely and with a true goal in sight.  If our enthusiasm is not tempered with sound judgment it may take us longer to achieve the same goal as those who arrived after us, but wrought with wisdom and earnest. 
Albert Mackey is quoted as saying, “ It is not the time that you have been a Mason, but the way in which that time has been employed that will secure the prize of intellectual light.” 

Seek well that prize, use the lessons of the craft to work with wisdom and earnest to receive your wages, without bearing the burden and heat of the day.