The Royal Arch Standard

THERE ARE 55 BILLION PAGES ON THE INTERNET... MAYBE YOU'RE NOT LOOKING AT THIS BOOK BY ACCIDENT.
A VERY RARE AND GENUINE DATE-STAMPED 1892 EDITION, NOW 132 YEARS OLD AND VERY WELL-PRESERVED (THE NICEST I HAVE EVER SEEN)
HERE ARE "SOME" OF THE SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: MASONIC HISTORY, THE ARK OF THE COVENANT, ANGELS, HEAVEN, THE ORACLE OF URIM, THE ROYAL ARCH, THE ORDER OF HIGH PRIESTHOOD, MASTER MASONRY, OCCULT SYMBOLISM, THE CREATOR, THE GRAND MASTER, KING SOLOMON, THE THRONES OF JUDGEMENT, THE WIDOW'S SON, ANCIENT EGYPT, THE HOLY OF HOLIES, THE PERFECT TRIANGLE, THE SECRET VAULT, THE BOOK OF THE LAW, MOSES, INVOCATION, DIVINE AND ESOTERIC WISDOM, MYSTICISM, THE DEGREES OF MASONRY, MASONIC SYMBOLISM AND MUCH MORE
INCLUDING A STUNNING COLLECTION OF ENGRAVINGS THAT HAVE ALL BEEN VERY WELL-KEPT

This exceptional and exquisitely preserved volume, with its vibrant red hardcover adorned with gold-stamped cherub angels surrounding a royal crest and the ark of the covenant, is a very scarce relic of Freemasonry's rich heritage. With over 132 years of history, this remarkable edition is a testament to the enduring allure of the craft. I have seen a couple of these over the years, but this is without question in the best condition. For an age reference, this book was printed and bound over two decades before the First World War of 1914. The covers gold stamping is still sparkling after 130 years, which is not often seen for a book of this age. Within its pages, you will find an extensive compendium of Masonic history. However, this volume delves much deeper than just the Masons themselves. It discusses the holy Ark of the Covenant, angels, secret crypts, and branches into the occult and esoteric. It is a very beautiful, rare, and fascinating book. I would snag this one before it disappears...

"THE ROYAL ARCH STANDARD. EXOTERIC INSTRUCTIONS IN THE DEGREES OF MARK MASTER, PAST MASTER, MOST EXCELLENT MASTER, ROYAL ARCH MASON,
AND THE ORDER OF HIGH-PRIESTHOOD. TOGETHER WITH THE CEREMONIES OF CONSTITUTING AND DEDICATING NEW CHAPTERS, INSTALLING OFFICERS OF GRAND AND SUBORDINATE CHAPTERS, ROYAL ARCH DOCUMENTS, ETC."

"And it came to pass when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book until they were finished, that Moses commanded the Levites which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying, Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee." —DEUT. xxxi. 24-26.

" The Oracle of Urim and Thummim" signifies Light and Perfection or revelation and truth. By this oracle, God was consulted by the High Priest of Israel upon all important occasions."

"Accept the trust we offer thee, Our Master and our Guide; May justice, truth, and purpose high, In all thy power abide."

"The officers of a Chapter take rank as follows, viz.: The High-Priest, as Right Worshipful Master; King, as Senior Warden; Scribe, as Junior Warden; Captain of the Host, as Marshal; Principal Sojourner, as Senior Deacon; Royal Arch Captain, as Junior Deacon; Master of the Third Vail, as Master Overseer; Master of the Second Vail, as Senior Overseer; Master of the First Vail, as Junior Over-seer. The Treasurer and Secretary are officers of the corresponding rank, and the Sentinel is Tiler."

"The flame descended upon the altar and consumed the offering; the shadow and glory of the Eternal proclaimed his presence between the cherubim, and the voice of his thunders told the faithful of the craft that the perfectness of their labor was approved."

MORE ON THE ARK OF THE COVENANT AND THE SECRET VAULT FROM THE BOOK

"Masonic tradition informs us that, before the completion of the temple, King Solomon-foreseeing that the children of Israel would, in the process of time, deviate from the laws of God, and provoke his displeasure and that in consequence thereof their city would be taken by their enemies and the temple be destroyed, and that so would forever perish the sacred treasures contained in the built a secret vault underneath the Holy of Holies, where our Grand Masters held their meetings, and in which they deposited a copy of the ark of the covenant, wherein were placed imitations of the pot of manna and of Aaron's rod, and also a true copy of the Book of the Law, or all the writings of Moses and the prophets up to that time. On the ark's sides, they placed their names and the time when and for what purpose they deposited."

"Thus, within the imitation of the sacred ark of the covenant, were deposited and safely kept the sacred treasures, for the space of four hundred and seventy years, which should constantly remind us that our breasts should afford an equally safe repository for the mysteries of the order, that they may be handed down pure and unimpaired to the latest posterity. The Cherubim guarding the ark of the covenant is to remind us that the sublime principles of our Royal Art have always had the immediate approval of Heaven and encourage us to redouble our assiduity in the practice of all those virtues which we are taught within the inner vail of the Sanctuary."

INTRODUCTORY NOTES
The Degrees
Quorum.
Manual

MARK MASTER
Opening the Lodge
Reception
History
Working Tools

PAST MASTER
Opening the Lodge.
Election and Investment Address to the Candidate

MOST EXCELLENT MASTER
Opening the Lodge and Reception
Address to the Candidate.

ROYAL ARCH
The Symbolism of the Vails Opening the Chapter
Reception
Proclamation
Working Tools
Equilateral Triangle
The Breastplate
The Royal Arch Banner
The Ark of the Covenant The Captives Returning Closing.

ORDER OF HIGH PRIESTHOOD
Past High-Priest Opening and Reception Benediction and Closing

CEREMONIES OF THE ORDER
Constituting a new Chapter and Installing Office
The Chapter
Installation of Grand Officers.

MASONIC DOCUMENTS

"Oh, thou Supreme High Priest of heaven and earth, enlighten us, we beseech thee, with the knowledge of thy truth, and grant that the members of this convention, and all others who are teachers in Israel, may be endowed with wisdom to understand and to explain the mysteries of our order. Be with us in all our assemblies, guide us in the paths of rectitude, and enable us to keep all thy statutes and commandments while life shall last, and finally bring us to the true knowledge of thy holy and mighty name. —Amen."

Degrees listed:

Grand Sentinel.
Members of the Grand Chapter, in threes:
Three Grand Masters of the Vails:
Grand Royal Arch Captain :
Grand Principal Sojourner :
Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer :
Grand Chaplain and Grand Orator :
Grand Scribe and Grand King:
Deputy Grand High-Priest :
Past Grand High-Priests :
Grand High-Priest.
Royal Arch Masons, by threes:
Grand Captain of the Host:
Members of the new Chapter, as follows:
Three Masters of the Vails:
Royal Arch Captain, Principal Sojourner, and
Captain of the Host:
Secretary, Treasurer, and
Chaplain carrying the Pot of Incense:
Four Companions carrying the Ark:
A Companion carrying the Great Lights, Three Companions carrying the Lesser Lights:
Scribe, King, and the High Priest

Written and compiled by George McGown.

The overall condition of this book is very good, especially considering it's over 130 years old. It has some normal age and shelf wear but has been very well-preserved. It measures 6.25'' x 4.25'' and comprises 180 pages.

Freemasonry is a fraternal organization that traces its origins to the guilds of stonemasons in the Middle Ages. It incorporates symbols, rituals, and allegorical teachings into its traditions.

One theory suggests that Freemasonry draws inspiration from biblical and historical artifacts, including the Ark of the Covenant. According to this theory, Freemasonry symbolically associates the Ark with themes such as divine knowledge, enlightenment, and the pursuit of truth.

The Ark of the Covenant The Ark of the Covenant was housed in the Temple of Solomon. The Ark of the Covenant is a common theme in Freemasonry. It appears as a symbol in various masonic artwork depicted in this book.