On Tuesday 28th July The Lodge of Dawn 6511 was delighted to host the Yorkshire Light Blues Club Royal Arch launch. There were 79 in the Temple with 49 being visitors. Good numbers for a July evening.
WM Dave Jackson begun proceedings with the election of our new Worshipful Master for 2026-7. We then confirmed the reelection of W Bro Roger Levy as Treasurer and the election of W. Bro. Christian Higgins as Tyler.
It was then the privilege of WM Dave Jackson to receive Right Worshipful Brother James Henry Newman OBE, the Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Yorkshire West Riding accompanied by a large number of rulers and assistants from both Provincial Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Chapter.
Accepting the Gavel the Provincial Grand Master talked briefly about the rise to 49% of Master Mason Membership in The Royal Arch in The Province and appreciated the great work that all had contributed to such a healthy number.
Passing the Gavel back to the Worshipful Master we were then introduced to W Bro. Kai Hughes DepGSwdB, Past Grand Orator, to deliver a talk on Royal Arch Masonry. For about 40 minutes the talk was very enlightening and I am sure many Light Blues will understand the real joy of Royal Arch Freemasonry.
The Royal Arch is often described as the natural completion of the Master Mason’s journey. While the Third Degree concludes with profound moral lessons, it also leaves deliberate questions unanswered. The Royal Arch seeks to address those questions by completing the symbolic narrative.
Key ways in which the Royal Arch enriches the Master Mason’s experience include:
- Completion of the story: It reveals elements that are intentionally absent from the Master Mason degree, giving greater context and resolution to its themes.
- A deeper exploration of symbolism: The ceremony expands on the symbolism of the Temple, sacred geometry, light, and discovery, encouraging members to reflect more deeply on their Masonic journey.
- A focus on recovery and restoration: Rather than concentrating on loss, the Royal Arch emphasises rediscovery, renewal, and the recovery of that which was thought lost. This provides a positive and uplifting continuation of the Craft narrative.
- A stronger connection with Masonic history: The ceremony is set during the rebuilding of the Temple after the Babylonian exile, introducing historical and biblical themes that broaden a Mason’s understanding of the Order’s traditions.
- Personal and spiritual reflection: Without prescribing any particular theology, it encourages contemplation of truth, integrity, perseverance, and one’s relationship with the Supreme Being.
- A closer-knit companionship: Royal Arch Chapters are often smaller than Craft Lodges, allowing members to build strong friendships while participating in ceremonies that are both engaging and meaningful.
Within the English Constitution, the Royal Arch is recognised as an essential part of “Pure Ancient Masonry,” comprising the three Craft degrees together with the Holy Royal Arch. It is not regarded as a “fourth degree” but as the completion of the teachings begun in the Craft.
Many experienced Freemasons find that, after joining the Royal Arch, the lessons of the Third Degree make more sense. Symbols, phrases, and themes encountered as a Master Mason often take on a fuller meaning, making the entire Masonic journey feel more complete and coherent.
I must admit, as someone who has just completed my first year in Chapter it has never been explained in that way to me. I will from now on be paying more attention in Chapter and see Royal Arch as a way of galvanising my understanding of what being a Freemasonry truly is.
On a personal level, I enjoyed W Bro. Kai’s attention to the answer to the question in the First Degree “What is Freemasonry.” – “A peculiar system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols.” By way of example in the mid 18th century ‘peculiar’ implied ‘unique’ or ‘different’ and ‘veiled’ referred to ‘masked’ or “concealed.” These words suggest that, through the Royal Arch, a Master Mason can himself through knowledge and understanding ‘unveil’ and ‘unmask’ the true meaning of Freemasonry.
We were also shown a Royal Arch Tracing Board. The Royal Arch, however, does not have a universally recognised or officially prescribed tracing board in the English Constitution. Many Chapters use a Royal Arch Tracing Board as a visual aid during lectures and instruction.These boards typically depict symbols associated with the ceremony, such as: The Working Tools (depending on the design), The Triple Tau, The Arch, The Keystone, The Vault, The Altar and The Three Principals.
Festive Board
The Worshipful Master proposed a sincere toast to the Provincial Grand Master thanking him for his leadership and dedication to the Province. The Provincial Grand Master thanked the Lodge for hosting the Yorkshire Rose Light Blues Club Royal Arch launch.
In his response to the visitors toast W Bro Robert I G Cole PSGD PAPGM, the Deputy Grand Superintendent in Provincial Grand Chapter, referencing Worshipful Brother Hughes’ promotion of the Royal Arch Tracing board, that it appeared only 1 Chapter out of almost 70 in the Province owned, wondered whether Worshipful Brother Hughes ran a Tracing Board manufacturing business.
We raised £347 from our raffle in favour of the 2028 Festival, and other masonic charities.
Want to join us?
If you are not a Freemason and, having read the above, would like to find out more, read our Seven Reason to Join The Freemasons, our guide on ‘How to join The Freemasons‘ or our simple ‘What is Freemasonry?’ page.
And if you would like to join The Lodge of Dawn in Leeds, please feel free to get in touch via our ‘Contact Us’ page.
We have a new ‘Meet a few of our Members’ feature on our website. CLICK HERE to read about some of our newer, younger members, why they joined The Lodge of Dawn and how their Masonic journey is going.