Strathearn Lodge & Council No.34 Origins Of Lodge & Council Degrees
The Lodge and Council consists of a series of Degrees , The First being the Degree of Royal Ark Mariner , Then a series of Degrees known as The Degrees of the Captivity.
The Degree of Royal Ark Mariner relates to the building and voyage of Noah's Ark and the Great Flood and has none of the other characters we meet in Freemasonry.
It is thought that it was a degree for carpenters and woodworkers as in the past those trades were more closely associated with stonemasons than is the case today.
Its early history is obscure. Statutes refer to Grand Lodge being reconstituted in 1772.
The ceremony in which a brother is elevated is taken from the VSL and symbolises wisdom, strength and beauty, which are relevant not only in the construction of the ark but also for their moral significations to the candidate as an individual. The tracing board of the degree is unusual in that it contains symbols of many of the other orders in Masonry.
The Degrees of the Captivity
These Degrees are intimately associated with the Royal Arch, and cannot be conferred upon any -one who has not been exalted to that Degree.
They are founded upon incidents which occured during the reigns of Cyrus and Hystapses, Kings of Persia and Babylon, and illustrate the difficulties and interruptions experienced by the Jews in Rebuilding the Temple at Jerusalem .
They also rehearse several interesting events which took place during the sojourn of Zerubbabel at the Persian Court.
These Degrees are conferred in Chapters holding of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch
Chapter of Scotland.
They may be conferred upon any regular R.A Mason belonging to a recognised constitution, but subject always to the Laws thereanent laid down and prescribed by the Supreme Grand Chapter.
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