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Published by The General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons International 1996 (Revised 2004 by Webmaster, General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons).
Cryptic Rite
No rite of Freemasonry has come into its own so much as the series of degrees known as the Cryptic Rite, also known as the Cryptic Masons. Its popularity is well deserved for there are no more beautiful or meaningful degrees in all Freemasonry that those conferred in the Council of Cryptic Masons.
One reason for its popularity is that it completes a story, a Masonic allegory. Freemasonry is very philosophical and teaches its ideals by allegory or story. This philosophy is moralistic and religious however Freemasonry is not a religion., nor a substitute for one. A requirement for membership in Freemasonry is a professed belief in God and eternal life. It is mandatory that a man profess a personal faith in a Supreme Being prior to becoming a Freemason. Freemasonry never attempts to alter any one's beliefs. Freemasonry offers no theology or plan of salvation. However, it does offer a moral plan to use in this world. Leaving the Mason to look to his religion for salvation into the next world.
Ancient Cryptic Masonry centers around the story of the preservation, loss and recovery of the Word. The Word represents man's search for life's purpose and the nature of GOD. Symbolic Freemasonry, as in the Lodge, teaches of the loss of the Word and hope for its recovery. Royal Arch Masonry, as in the Chapter, teaches its recovery. Cryptic Masonry, as in the Council, completes this story by teaching of the Word's initial preservation.
Origin of the Degrees
As in many of the Masonic degrees, the origins of the degrees of Cryptic Masonry are shrouded in mystery. Yet, they have attained a substantial growth and one out of every two Royal Arch Masons is a Cryptic Mason.
Nearly two hundred years ago the degrees of Royal Master and Select Master appeared. Traveling Masonic lecturers throughout the East were conferring them upon Masons, while engaging in instructing in Craft (Lodge) and Capitulars (Chapter) degrees. Even one Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite included the degree of Select Master as one of its "detached" degrees. But, these beautiful degrees were not to remain detached for any length of time. The state of Connecticut bore the first Grand Council in 1819. In Virginia and West Virginia the degrees developed in the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons where they still remain. In the 1870's a General Grand Council was formed for the United States of America. Today this Grand Council numbers most of the Grand Councils in the United States, as well as the western section of Canada.
The Vault and the Mysteries
Biblical students and archaeologists know of the vaults or crypts beneath King Solomon's Temple. Masonic Degrees were probably not actually conferred in these vaults. However, such a legend does persist throughout Freemasonry. The legends, conveyed in this system of degrees form a beautiful allegory or story. The Masonic author, Albert G. Mackey, writing of the vault, says: "The vault was, therefore, in the ancient mysteries, symbolic of the grave; for initiation was symbolic of death, where alone Divine Truth is to be found. Freemasons have adopted the same idea. They teach that death is but the beginning of Life; that if the first, or evanescent Temple of our transitory life be on the surface, we must descend into the secret vault of death before we can find that sacred deposit of Truth, which is to adorn our second Temple pf Eternal Life. This teaching is not unusual in Freemasonry since as was stated previously the requirements for membership include a professed belief in God and one's eternal life.
The Use of the Name Cryptic
The degrees of the York Rite are classified as Symbolic (Lodge of Master Masons). Capitulars (Chapter of Royal Arch Masons), Cryptic (Council of Cryptic Masons), and Chivalric (Commander of Knights Templar). The Cryptic Rite or degrees derives its name from the setting of the degrees of Royal Master and Select Master in the underground crypt beneath King Solomon's Temple. The word cryptic means hidden, hence its use in describing these degrees. The last of the series of Cryptic degrees is not cryptic because it does not comply with the requirement of a vault scene. It might be regarded as one of the Cryptic Rite's detached degrees for it has no connection either in history or symbolism with those of Royal Master and Select Master, as shall be discussed later.
The Royal Master Degree
This is the first degree of the Cryptic Rite as conferred in the United States of America. Candidates who receive the degree are impressed with its dignified ritual and relevant teachings. It contains one section which is generally regarded as an outstanding display of symbolism and content of philosophy. The ritualistic presentations in the degree explain the articles contained in the Holy of Holies of King Solomon's Temple, including the Ark of the Covenant. A knowledge of which is essential to those who would fully understand the preceding degrees. The principal characters in the degree are Solomon and his royal assistant.
The Select Master Degree
The degree of Select Master has not always been associated with that of Royal Master. Jeremy Cross, a traveling Masonic lecturer, author, and educator of the early 1800's, is given credit by most writers for having combined the two degrees into one rite. There is strong evidence to support the theory that the degree came from a similar degree in the Scottish Rite called Intimate Secretary or Grand Tiler of King Solomon. Regardless of its origin the legend of this degree is old.
The scene of this degree is laid in the underground vault of King Solomon's Temple. The events which characterize the degree are stirring enough to make it one of intense interest. The ritualistic presentations contain the story to "complete the Circle of Perfection" in Ancient Craft Masonry.
The Super Excellent Master Degree
As we have stated, the degree of Super Excellent Master is not a degree of the Crypt. But, it relates events that lead to the recovery of the lost Word. This degree beautifully tells of a period in history in which all Freemasons are interested, that period following the destruction of the first Temple. The essence of the degree is foretold in the presentation by the Principal Sojourner in the Royal Arch Degree when he makes reference "Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign and he reigned for eleven years in Jerusalem, and he did which was evil in the sight of the Lord his God, ...". The degree of Super Excellent Master is one of the best devised, most impressive, and beautiful degrees. It is most enlightening and relevant to one's daily life. In a display of exciting events, Biblical characters come to life exemplifying the historical drama of the Holy Bible. Here Nebuchadnezzar rules again; Zedekiah proves the results of his wicked life; Ezekiel and Jeremiah prophesy the promises of Almighty God.
Cryptic Masons in Other Countries
The Cryptic Rite is widespread, although governing bodies exist only in England, Scotland, Canada, and the United States. In England the Cryptic Degrees are controlled by a Genera Council of the Cryptic Degrees. In Scotland, the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter has jurisdiction over the Cryptic degrees., the Royal Ark Mariner degree, the Knight of the East and West; bodies of the Cryptic Rite are attached to Chapters. It is interesting to note that while Scotland received the first three degrees of the last series from American sources, the degree of Thrice Illustrious Master, taken over recently in this country, was of Scottish origin.
The Work of Cryptic Masons
Freemasonry seeks to improve the community by improving the individual. Therefore, Councils of Cryptic Masons are found working with Lodges, Chapters, and Commanderies giving more opportunities to improve one's skills in leadership, public speaking, interpersonal relationships, and administration. This empowers Masons to become better leaders in their career, church, and community. Councils also work with these and other Masonic groups in community service projects to demonstrate Masonic teachings as a way of life.
The General Grand Council established the Cryptic Medical Research Foundation to give Cryptic Masons an opportunity to turn Masonic philosophy into a living practice. Currently the Foundation is working with medical researchers to find agents to prevent arteriosclerosis or more commonly known as hardening of the arteries. This work places thousands of dollars annually into the needed research to stop our nation's largest killer, arteriosclerosis and heart disease.
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History of Council
R.V. Harris September 19th, 1991 - from the web site of The Jurisdiction of Easter Canada for the Advancement of Light
The History of the Rite in North America
The history of this Rite is replete with all the mystery and secrecy expected of Masonry, even to the extent that we ourselves are generally not familiar with our own origins! It is generally accepted that the Select Master Degree first appeared in North America under the auspices of a Companion Phillip P. Eckel, in Philadelphia in the years immediately after the American War of Independence. Nothing much is known of his activities in regard to this Degree, or of the source from which it came. It is believed he was associated with the influx of Germanic immigrants to the United States, specifically to Pennsylvania, which we know, from the experiences of Bro. Ben Franklin, to have been an area with strong Masonic connections from a much earlier period. Comp. Eckel is believed to have brought the Degree with him, from one of the Continental Rites in Europe that were so popular in the mid 1700’s, but as many of these failed and disappeared into the mists of history without a trace, this is impossible to confirm.
Parts of the Degree are said to resemble Degrees which were attached to what was known as the Rite of Misraim, while other parts seem to be nearer in form to the Rite of Memphis. In any event, little happened with the Degree (that has been recorded), until late in the 1790’s, when a Brother Jeremy L. Cross, of New York, managed to obtain not only the Degree but also authority from Comp. Eckel to transmit the Degree, for a fee, and to institute Councils wherever he wished.
Cross immediately commenced to do so, and the Degree began to spread across New England, and into the more southerly States shortly after. At about the same time, the Degree of Royal Master appeared in the Carolinas, initially under the auspices of members of the Southern Jurisdiction A & A S R in Charleston, where it was claimed to be a "Side Degree" of a Rite which now claims only 33 Degrees, but state that at one time they controlled more than 50! It was apparently their practice that any Brother who had received one of these "Side Degrees" also received full authority to confer the Degree on others, and to set up Councils to continue the Degree in the future.
Many of the oldest Councils in the United States were started under this type of authority, mainly by a Bro. James Barker, a renowned Lecturer on Masonry, who traveled across the South and West of the United States. Eventually, of course, the two Degrees met, and Bro. Cross arranged, in New York, for the Councils he had started to merge with the Councils giving the Royal Master Degree. The first Council of Royal and Select Masters was Columbia Council # 1, in New York. From the early 1820’s, the Rite seemed to catch on in the United States, and Councils were erected all over the place, with little formal authority other than from Cross and Barker, until Maryland assumed control for their own State, and refused to recognize any Councils erected independently of their control.
For a number of years, the whole set-up in the United States was rather loose and haphazard. Eventually, the Americans decided that a central governing body, similar to the recently formed General Grand Chapter, was a good idea for the Cryptic Rite also, and General Grand Council came into existence. All was not smooth sailing from this point, however. Several Grand Councils thought they would be better off as adjuncts of Grand Chapters, and worked very hard to place their Grand Councils under the authority of various Capitular bodies. Florida and West Virginia in particular persisted in this, in spite of the position of General Grand Chapter, which was that they should have nothing to do with the Cryptic Rite at all! West Virginia’s Grand Chapter still has control of the Royal, the Select, and the more recent Super-Excellent Master Degrees, set very firmly under the control of Councils formed within the Chapters of the Royal Arch, in much the same manner as we currently moor Lodges of Royal Ark Mariners to our Councils, in this Jurisdiction. (In Scotland, a similar arrangement appertains, but we are not examining European variants in this paper.)
Most of the rest of the Cryptic World does not recognize their existence, officially, and does not allow inter-visitation, mainly due to the fact that their continued control of these Degrees through Chapters directly violates official policy of General Grand Chapter, and of General Grand Council. While both of these bodies are somewhat limited in their ability to enforce their policy in this regard, the have limited the effect of this type of merger of Chapter and Council to West Virginia, alone. The spread of the Cryptic Rite throughout North America has closely followed the development of trade, both domestically in the United States, and internationally to Canada and Mexico. As trade routes expanded throughout the territories, so did Freemasonry! This is the primary reason that a clearly American Rite is so solidly established in a formerly British territory, Canada. A similar process can be seen in Craft and Royal Arch workings in the Provinces of Canada. Those Provinces whose early trade relationships were with the United States tend to use workings based at least in part on the Ancient York Rite of Masonry as practiced in the State of New York or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as for example: Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The Provinces whose major trade relationships were with Europe in the 1800’s continued to use forms of ritual based on English or Scottish workings, as in Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia in the Craft Lodges, and in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia in the Royal Arch. (New Brunswick formerly practiced a Royal Arch working similar to that in use in Nova Scotia, but changed their authorized working in the mid 1900’s.)
The formation of Councils and Grand Councils in the United States continued somewhat unevenly until the "Morgan Affair" in the mid-1800’s, at which time, much Masonic activity disappeared, with thousands of Lodges, Chapters and Councils handing in their charters as their memberships declined from resignations and withdrawals. In some jurisdictions in the United States, Masonry ceased to exist altogether at this time. By the late 1850’s, however, the Anti-Masonic fury, engendered at the time of the Morgan Affair (and which even spawned a major political Party in the USA during the time period), was dying out, and Masonry began to make a comeback. Its return to the public life of the Continent was marked by a tremendous period of growth, and this growth was also found in the Cryptic Rite. Literally thousand of Councils were formed in a short span of years, with some small States chartering hundreds of small Councils, many of them with less than twenty members to start themselves off.
Unfortunately, most of these small Councils eventually fell by the wayside, and the Grand Councils which saw this wild growth now found themselves with such odd situations as having the most recently chartered Councils receiving numbers in the One Hundred Plus range, while actually having only Twenty or so Councils operating. In other ways, the growth of the Rite on this Continent has taken a variety of unusual twists and turns. Many Grand Councils do not practice the Super-Excellent Master Degree, which is such an enjoyable part of our structure, here in Eastern Canada. Most Grand Councils in the United States do not have any direct familiarity with the Degree of Royal Ark Mariner, either, although in some jurisdictions it may be found attached to Councils of the Allied Masonic Degrees, which has only recently begun to make inroads here in Canada, even though it is a well-established group in England, and in the Eastern United States. In another aspect, there appears to be, in the United States, a much closer relationship between the bodies of what is called the "York Rite," to the extent that in many States, the Grand Chapter, Grand Council, and Grand Commandery (Preceptory) share many of their officers, as well as office space and equipment.
The Triennial assemblies of General Grand Chapter and General Grand Council are held together, with several shared functions. Many times, the Annual Proceedings of two or more of these Grand Bodies will be published together,, and they will frequently hold large "Field Days," where ALL of the Degrees, from Mark Master Mason through the Order of the Temple will be communicated to a large class on one occasion, often on the same day. While this may hold some benefit for membership purposes, the jury is still out as to whether there are any other long-term benefits. A side effect which may not be so beneficial is that they will frequently hold joint meetings of all three York Bodies on the same night, in the same place, and at the same time. It is perhaps noteworthy that these same jurisdictions are often the ones complaining in their Proceedings that they are having difficulties finding enough people to open the several Bodies in FULL form, or work the proper Degrees.
In any case, the same comments and complaints can be found in the Proceedings over the last hundred years, so, they can’t be too awfully concerned with the issue. Either that, or they are incredibly persistent in trying to make the practice work. The one thing that CAN be favorably seen from this structure is that there is indeed a high level of co-operation between the Bodies, and this on its own is worthwhile. As far as this relates to our own jurisdiction, the spread to Canada of the Cryptic Rite followed the same path that it did in the United States, and although our subsequent development has been somewhat different, most of the basics have remained unchanged, and a Cryptic Rite Mason from here would find enough in common with other jurisdictions in North America to achieve a measure of comfort in a visit. As always with Freemasonry, the differences we encounter serve mainly to point up the many similarities, and pull us closer to our roots.
