The Past Master Degree - More Meaning Than Form

By Robert G. Davis, K. Y. C. H.

The Past Master Degree – the fifth in the system of degrees known as the American Rite – is too often seen as a mere prerequisite to the Royal Arch, conferred for the sole purpose of fulfilling some ancient landmark which allegedly prohibited all but Past Masters of Symbolic lodges from being exalted to the Royal Arch, thus enabling the completion of one’s education in Craft Masonry. Being a small degree in length, and delivering what would appear to be a single lesson in the due diligence required in a presiding officer, the Past Master Degree is generally viewed as to form only, without regard for its deeper symbolic significance.

In actuality, the symbolic lessons are of major import and lead credence to the admonition that the degree should be taken seriously by the Chapter. Certainly, it should be conferred free from any horseplay or harassment, sometimes wrongly given license here because of an obvious oversight of one whose experience in lodge administration might otherwise call for at least a mild reprimand from those companions of his lodge who have passed the chair themselves.

Historically, the Past Master Degree entered the system of Freemasonry to facilitate the growing popularity of the Royal Arch during the mid-18th century era. The Grand Lodge of the “Ancients” regarded a Lodge Master as more than the chairman, or presiding head, of the lodge. He was considered a fellow superior to his junior brethren. Being installed as a Master, he had passed through an esoteric ceremony of distinction, making him a man of a definitely higher grade. In many lodges, the Master’s Word was only given to those who became Masters of their Lodges. The Mark Master Degree is believed to have been worked in England shortly before the establishment of the Third Degree in 1725. The “Ancients” refused to confer the Royal Arch Degree upon any brother who had not passed through the oriental chair, insisting that such a man was simply not good enough to be a Royal Arch Mason.