Capitular Degrees of Royal Arch Masonry Oriental Chapter No. 78 Royal Arch Masons Chartered October 9, 1873

4° Mark Master Mason The degree of Mark Master is believed to be the oldest degree in Freemasonry and to predate all others by many years. In the Mark degree, the candidate steps back into the role of a Fellow Craft to learn the proper way to receive the wages of an Operative Fellow Craft Mason. Anciently, an operative Fellow Craft would select a distinctive Mark which he would cut into each stone he prepared. This Mark was made so that he might be given credit and receive wages for his work, and so that he would be accountable for the quality of work performed. A Mason's Mark is roughly equivalent to a signature in today's world. The legend of this degree teaches the candidate about a stone that was cast into the rubbish heap at the building of King Solomon's Temple, deemed to be irregular, but is later discovered to be the capstone for the entrance of the Temple.
5° Past Master The Past Master (Virtual) degree teaches the candidate the lessons of Psalm 25: that he must first learn to obey before he can rule, and to govern himself before he can govern others; and to govern in moderation and propriety. Facilitating this lesson is the parable contained in Matthew 20:1-19. In the Past Master degree, the candidate goes through essentially the same ceremonies as the installation of Worshipful Master of the Symbolic Lodge, and takes appropriate obligations in relation to governing over Masonic Lodges in general. This degree is necessary because ancient tradition requires that a Mason be a Past Master of the Symbolic Lodge before he can be exalted in the Holy Royal Arch degree. This requirement hearkens back to a time before the third degree had been developed, when the majority of Masons were Fellowcrafts and one was only made a Master each year by being elected to preside over a Lodge. When the third Degree was eventually developed, the Installation ceremonies of the Master continued to be given only during the annual installation of officers. Under this old system, only one Mason in each Lodge would become qualified for the Royal Arch Degree each year, so the Grand Master would often write dispensations to waive the Past Master requirement for worthy Master Masons. The Past Master Degree was instituted to relieve the Grand Master of this burden.
6° Most Excellent Master The Most Excellent Master degree is, by far, one of the most impressive rituals in all of Freemasonry. It is the only degree that brings forcibly to our attention the completion and dedication of King Solomon’s Temple, (in Hebrew: בית המקדש‎, transliterated as Beit HaMidkash) atop Mount Moriah in the Holy City of Jerusalem – the very idea upon which all Masonic symbolism has been based. Drawing upon the history recorded in 2 Chronicles 6 and 7, and 1 Kings 7 and 8, the degree depicts celebration of the Temple, its final architectural step, and the installation of the sacred items within the Holy of Holies, while mourning the death of Grand Master Hiram Abif. Thus, it completes the story begun in the ritual of the Master Mason’s degree (3°) in a spectacular, participatory ritual. In this degree, the brother is taught the lesson that he has a responsibility to exploit opportunities to share with less informed brethren his wisdom and Masonic light.
7° Royal Arch Mason The supreme degree of the Holy Royal Arch, as the culmination of the capitular degrees, is the climax of Ancient Craft Freemasonry and Masonic symbolism. It is described as “the root and marrow of Freemasonry.” The Royal Arch Degree is the chronological culmination of Ancient Craft Masonry's Legend of Hiram Abiff. This degree depicts several significant scenes from Israelite history: The Babylonian invasion, the destruction of the Temple of Solomon, the Captivity of the Jews in Babylon, and their eventual return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. In this degree the Ancient Masters Word is finally restored by virtue of wise provisions which were made by our Three Ancient Grand Masters.
How to become a Member of a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons You must be a Master Mason in good standing with your Blue Lodge and petition a Chapter Of Royal Arch Masons. To get more information on how to join a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons or to obtain a petition to join Oriental Chapter No. 78, R.A.M. or any other Missouri R.A.M. Chapter, e-mail Ex. Comp. Kent Kramer, giving your name, address, phone number, and Blue Lodge.