The Order of Royal and Select Masters
We are all aware that the building, destruction and rebuilding of the Temple at Jerusalem forms the corner stone of our Masonic ritual and that these legends and, in particular, the search for the Master Word are allegorical representations of the search for Truth, the essence of our Masonic Philosophy. In the Third Degree, we are informed that the Word or, more precisely, the form of its pronunciation was deemed to have been lost following the death of Hiram Abiff, only to be rediscovered in an underground vault by the Sojourners preparing the ground for the foundation of the second Temple some 470 years later.
The Order of Royal and Select Masters, often known as the Cryptic Degrees, is open to those who are both Mark and Royal Arch Masons it consists of four highly dramatic Degrees. They form a vital and interesting link between the Craft and Royal Arch, making the connection much more logical and completing the legend of King Solomon and his Temple.
Select Master
The preparations for the building of the Temple having commenced in the Mark Degree, the three Grand Masters are anxious that the form of the sacred treasures, including the Ark of the Covenant, could be lost forever in the event of the Temple being sacked. They therefore arrange for a small number of Select Masons, sworn to secrecy, to construct a secret vault beneath the Holy of Holies and deposit replicas therein.
Royal Master
The Temple is nearing its completion and certain Overseers are anxious to receive the Master Word and be honoured with the rank of Royal Master before their employment ceases. Shortly before his death Hiram Abiff explains to one of these Overseers, Adoniram, that with patience and industry he will, in due time, receive it. This discourse is widely regarded as the most beautiful and enthralling ritual in freemasonry.
Most Excellent Master
Hiram Abiff has been slain and after a period of mourning, the holy relics are transferred into the completed temple. King Solomon prepares to dedicate it to the Most High and, to celebrate this joyous occasion, confers the Degree of Most Excellent Master on his most trusted and skilful workmen, amongst whom are those who built the secret vault.
Super Excellent Master
The Temple had stood in all its glory for nearly 400 years but had then fallen to Nebuchadnezzar and his army. The King and his principal citizens were made captives and taken to Babylon, there to remain for seventy years.
Zedekiah, Nebuchadnezzar’s puppet King, has rebelled against him and fled, leaving the remaining citizens to defend the Temple and pledge their devotion to God.
Councils
R.Ill.Comp. Frank Jeremy Shaw District Grand Master
COUNCILS in DORSET, HANTS, & ISLE of WIGHT
Carnarvon Council No 5. Meeting at Havant on 4th Saturday in March, next Saturday after 4th Saturday in June installation, & 2nd Saturday in September.
King Alfred Council No 71. Meeting at Winchester on 3rd Monday
in March, May installation, & September, and 3rd Tuesday in December
Insula Vecta Council No 175. Meeting at Ventnor (IOW) on
1st Friday in February, April, September installation, and November.
Branksome Council No 209. Meeting at Parkstone, Poole on 3rdSaturday in March & November, and 4th Saturday in September installation.
Silchester Council No 226. Meeting at Basingstoke on 4th Friday
in February, and 3rd Thursday in April and September installation.
Harewood Forest Council No 246. Meeting at Andover on 3rd Monday in January, 3rd Friday in March & 2nd Friday in November installation.
Terra Regis Council No 263. Meeting at Portland on 4th Friday in January
Installation, May & September.
Wessex Council No 283. Meeting on 3rd Saturday in February installation, and 1st Thursday in July. Location varies but often Winchester.
Nigel Buckingham Council No 294. Meeting at Gosport on 2nd Saturday in January installation, and March, 3rd Saturday in May and 2nd Saturday in October.
New Forest Council No 315. Meeting at Brockenhurst on 1st Friday in March, May, and December installation.
William Cobbett Council No 325. Meeting at Botley on 3rd Wednesday in January installation, May and September.
District Recorder, Ill. Comp. Antony Nailer PGSwdB
Tel: 07359 256 713. Email: antony.nailer@talktalk.net