The Past Master’s degree presents us with a peculiar feature in the symbolism of the masonic system. As masons, while we admit the general equality of men in their relation to their common Creator,…and that we are all traveling on the level of time…we do not deny the advantage and propriety of distinctions in society, based on a difference of talent, virtue and position; and we know that while some must rule and govern, others must of necessity be called upon to obey.
This degree confines itself to the consideration of the good, the wise, and the just ruler wherever such occurs in life. It inculcates by appropriate, yet singular and sometimes un-pleasant ceremonies, the necessity of judgment, discretion, wisdom, firmness and determination in him who undertakes to govern his fellow-men, and of obedience, submission, order and discipline in those who would live happily and quietly under constituted authority.
Originally, when Royal Arch Masonry was under the government of the symbolic lodges, in which the Royal Arch degree was then always conferred, it was a regulation that no one could receive it unless he had previously presided as the Master of that or some other lodge. Often the Grand Master granted dispensation for certain Master Masons to be invested with the mysteries of a Past Master in a brief ceremony, thus allowing him to proceed to the Royal Arch degree. This degree follows in that tradition of preparing our candidates and qualifying them to be invested with the solemn words –the objective – of the Royal Arch.
While the ceremony prepares you as a past master, it does not in any way confer upon you the rank or privileges of a past master outside of the Chapter.
You will know what makes a good leader, but only your exercise of that knowledge can make you become a good leader.
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