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Canton Council No. 35, Royal & Select
Masons
Chartered: January 31, 1886
Stated Meeting: 4th Wednesday of the month at 7:45
P.M.
Council
News
No Stated Meetings in July and
August
Officers
James F. Williams (0330) 833-6918
Illustrious Master
Richard Snider Sr
(330) 484--6014
Deputy Master
R. Wesley Webber - (330) 484-6523
Principal Conductor of the Work
Steve S. DeNayer (330) 966-8748
Secretary
A Council of Royal and Select
Masters forms the center body of the York Rite of Freemasonry. A Master Mason
must join a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons and receive the four degrees of that
organization. After which he may seek further knowledge in Freemasonry and join
a Council.
The Cryptic Rite or degrees derives
its name from the setting of the degrees of Royal Master and Select Master in
the underground crypt beneath King Solomon's Temple. The word cryptic means
hidden, hence its use in describing these degrees. The Super Excellent Master
Degree, the last of the Cryptic degrees is not cryptic at all because it does
not comply with the requirement of a vault scene. It might be regarded as one of
the Cryptic Rite's detached degrees for it has no connection either in history
or symbolism with those of Royal Master and Select Master.
The three Degrees of Council are:
Royal Master Degree, Select Master Degree and Super Excellent Master Degree
THE ROYAL MASTER DEGREE
This is the first degree of the Cryptic
Rite as conferred in the United States of America. Candidates who receive the
degree are impressed with its dignified ritual and relevant teachings. It
contains one section, which is generally regarded as an outstanding display of
symbolism and content of philosophy. The ritualistic presentations in the degree
explain the articles contained in the Holy of Holies of King Solomon's Temple,
including the Ark of the Covenant. A knowledge of which is essential to those
who would fully understand the preceding degrees. The principal characters in
the degree are Solomon and his royal assistant.
THE SELECT MASTER DEGREE
The degree of Select Master has not always
been associated with that of Royal Master. Most writers for having combined the
two degrees into one rite give Jeremy Cross, a traveling Masonic lecturer,
author, and educator of the early 1800’s, credit. There is strong evidence to
support the theory that the degree came from a similar degree in the Scottish
Rite called Intimate Secretary or Grand Tiler of King Solomon. Regardless of its
origin the legend of this degree is old.
The scene of this degree is laid in the
underground vault of King Solomon's Temple. The events, which characterize the
degree, are stirring enough to make it one of intense interest. The ritualistic
presentations contain the story to "complete the Circle of Perfection"
in Ancient Craft Masonry.
THE SUPER EXCELLENT MASTER DEGREE
The Degree of Super Excellent Master is
not a degree of the Crypt. But, it relates events that lead to the recovery of
the lost Word. This degree beautifully tells of a period in history in which all
Freemasons are interested, that period following the destruction of the first
Temple. The essence of the degree is foretold in the presentation by the
Principal Sojourner in the Royal Arch Degree when he makes reference
"Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign and he
reigned for eleven years in Jerusalem, and he did which was evil in the sight of
the Lord his God,"etc.
The Degree of Super Excellent Master is
one of the best devised, most impressive, and beautiful degrees. It is most
enlightening and relevant to one's daily life. In a display of exciting events,
Biblical characters come to life exemplifying the historical drama of the Holy
Bible. Here Nebuchadnezzar rules again; Zedekiah proves the results of his
wicked life; Ezekiel and Jeremiah prophesy the promises of Almighty God.
