Royal Arch Degree. THIS degree is indescribably more august, sublime and important, than all which precede it; and is the summit and perfection of ancient Masonry. It impresses on our minds a belief of the being and existence of a Supreme Deity, without beginning of days or end of years; and reminds us of the reverence due to his holy name. It also brings to light many essentials of the craft, which were for the space of four hundred and seventy years buried in darkness; and without a knowledge of which the Masonic character cannot be complete. The lecture of this degree is divided into two sections, and should be well understood by every Royal Arch Mason; upon an accurate acquaintance with it, will depend his usefulness at our assemblies; and without it, he will be unqualified to perform the duties of the various stations in which his services may be required by the Chapter. SECTION I. The first section opens to our view a large field for contemplation and study. It furnishes us with many interesting particulars relative to the state of the fraternity, during and since the reign of King Solomon ; and illustrates the causes and consequences of some very important events which occurred during his reign. This section explains the mode of government in this class of Masons; it designates the appellation, number, and situation of the several officers; and points out the purposes and duties of their respective stations. THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE IS READ AT OPENING. "Now we command you, brethren, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition that ye received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us; for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you. Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such, we command and exhort, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write."-II. THESSALONIANS, iii. 6-17. SECTION II. This section contains much valuable historical information, and proves, beyond the power of contradiction, and in the most striking colors, that prosperity and happiness are ever the ultimate consequences of virtue and justice, while disgrace and ruin invariably follow the practices of vice and immorality. A proper arrangement of the following charges, &c., during the ceremony of exaltation, is essentially necessary to be observed in every Chapter, and their application should be familiar to every Royal Arch Mason. "I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known; I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them."-ISAIAH, xlii. 16. PRAYER USED AT THE EXALTATION OF A ROYAL "O thou eternal and omnipotent JEHOVAH, the glorious and everlasting I AM, permit us, thy frail, dependent and needy creatures, in the name of our Most Excellent and Supreme High Priest, to approach thy divine majesty. And do thou, who sittest between the Cherubim, incline thine ear to the voice of our praises, and of our supplication; and vouchsafe to commune with us from off the mercy seat. We humbly adore and worship thy unspeakable perfections, and thy unbounded goodness and benevolence. We bless thee, that when man had sinned, and fallen from his innocence and happiness, thou didst still leave unto |