Travis Simpkins: "The Book of the Chapter: Royal Arch Freemasonry" by Albert G. Mackey

The Book of the Chapter

by Albert G. Mackey

originally published, 1858

Notes by Travis Simpkins

For students of the York Rite, Albert Mackey's The Book of the Chapter or Monitorial Instructions in the Degrees of Mark, Past and Most Excellent Master and the Holy Royal Arch has long been an essential text and a mainstay Classic. Divided into sections, each presents a Symbolical Design, Historical Summary and Analysis of a particular Chapter Degree. Full of useful information, some highlights include:

Mark Master: "If the Fellow Craft's degree is devoted to the inculcation of learning, that of Mark Master is intended to instruct us how that learning can most usefully and judiciously be employed for our own honor and the profit of others."

Past Master: "While, as Masons, we admit the general equality of men in their relationship to their common Creator… we do not deny the advantage and propriety of distinctions in society, based on a difference in talent, virtue and position; and we know that while some must rule and govern, others of necessity must be called upon to obey. It is to this of the gradations of society that the 5th Degree alludes in its ceremonies and instructions."

Most Excellent Master: " The Master Mason degree is intended, in its symbolic design, to teach the doctrines of the resurrection of the dead and the immortality of the soul. But this corruption can only be put on incorruption, and this mortal put on immorality by a passage through the portals of the grave. And here the degree of Most Excellent Master comes forward with its beautiful symbolism, to represent the man prepared to enter upon that eventful passage."

Holy Royal Arch: "The great object of pursuit in Masonry- the scope and tendency of all its investigations- is TRUTH. This is the goal to which all Masonic labor evidently ends. Sought for in every degree, and constantly approached, but never thoroughly and intimately embraced, at length, in the Royal Arch, the veils which concealed the object of search from our view are withdrawn, and the inestimable prize is revealed."