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[ This is a short lecture delivered by the Author on
13-9-2005 in Bharath Matha Past Principals’ Chapter, on the ceremony of
Exaltation in Royal Arch Masonry.]
Ceremony of
Exaltation in Royal Arch Masonry.
By M. E.
Companion S. Krishnan, III Grand Principal,
We all know the Ceremony
of being admitted to the Royal Arch Masons’ Degree is called ‘Exaltation’.
We have probably not given much attention to why it should be called so. The
dictionary meaning of the word ‘Exalt’ is – “Praise Highly” and that
of ‘Exaltation’ – “the condition of being elated”. Royal Arch Masonry
is therefore intended to bring about a ‘condition of elation’ on every
candidate being admitted to the Degree. Let us now examine, why this should be
so.
Even in our ordinary lives, if a long lost thing
is found, we get a mixed feeling of joy and relief, depending on the value of
the long lost thing which is found and if the circumstances leading to the
discovery of the lost thing is accidental and quite unexpected the feeling of
joy is all the more. No wonder therefore that the ceremony of admission to the
degree is called ‘Exaltation’
In the above context, one thing
has always puzzled me. Those who are familiar with the Exaltation Ceremony will
recall that M.E.Z, while congratulating the Candidate, on being exalted into
Royal Arch Masonry describes it, as the foundation and key stone of the whole
Masonic Structure also reminds him as to how during the ceremony of his being
raised to the Third Degree, he was informed that by the untimely death of our
Master H.A.B., the secrets of a Master Mason were lost and certain substituted
secrets were adopted to distinguish all Master Masons, until time and
circumstances should restore the genuine. He is also informed that these secrets
were lost for a period of nearly 500 years and were regained in the manner which
had been described to the candidate, somewhat in a dramatic form
in the Ceremony, forcefully to impress on his mind the providential means
by which the ancient secrets were regained.
Looking back, I am really
surprised as to how and why our curiosity was not kindled sufficiently enough
either at the time of our raising, or subsequently when we had heard that
lecture on so many occasions, to find out as to what was it, that was lost and
were they ever found and if so how? This is all the more so, when we recall that
at every closing of the Third Degree, we have heard the W.M. asking the
questions – What is it that was lost, how came they to be lost and where do we
hope to find them, as also his statement that he will assist the Wardens in
finding them and we too have joined in his prayers that may Heaven aid them in
their united endeavors. We have also thereafter bent with gratitude to our
Master. It is therefore really amazing how years may pass before a Master Mason
gets Exalted and comes to know the answer to these questions. In my own case it
took 10 years for me to find out and I am sure that must be the case for most
of the Companions. Incidentally, I got my 50 years Long Term Jewel in October
last year and the 40 years Long Term Service Jewel in the Chapter, two days ago
on 11th September at Jhansi, but neither during these 50 years in the
Craft nor in the 40 years in the Chapter, I have been able to find an answer.
However, I find that we continue to bemoan that the strength in the Chapter is
so low as compared to the Craft! It is clear in my mind that the blame in this
regard rests squarely on the senior Masons, who are already in the Chapter, who
have not taken the pains to kindle that curiosity in the minds of the Master
Masons. Even when a prospective candidate is approached to become a Member of
the Chapter no such idea is given to him to look forward to his Exaltation
Ceremony. I do hope that talks like this arranged by Bharat Matha Chapter will
improve matters.
It only remains for me to high
light some of the beautiful aspects of the Exaltation Ceremony, to emphasise its
importance in Freemasonry. To start at the very beginning, the candidate is made
to listen as he enters the Chapter, to the Prayer where we ask him to be endued
with a portion of His Devine Spirit and that he may not enter the Order lightly,
nor recede from it hastily, but pursue it steadfastly and also ever remember
that the object of the Institution is the welfare of our fellow creatures, but
above all, the honour and glory of His Most Holy Name. Later he is also informed
that the want of light should remind him that man by nature is a child of
ignorance and error and ever would have remained in a state of darkness, had it
not pleased the Almighty to call him to light and immortality, by the revelation
of His Holy Will and Word. He is also congratulated on his being admitted to the
Order with the confidence that his future conduct will fully justify his
exaltation to the Supreme Degree, which is denominated as the essence of
Freemasonry. There are also other portions of the Ceremony which emphasise the
importance of Humility and Docility as sure indications of merit and that purity
of heart and rectitude of conduct should at all times actuate those exalted into
this Supreme Degree.
Before I conclude I would like
to share with you that of the five signs that are explained to the Candidate my
own favourite which also I feel expresses the spirit of this Degree is the
M..n..t..r..l . Sn which reminds us of the weakness of human nature, unable of
itself to resist the powers of darkness, unless assisted by that light which is
from above. By this defenseless posture, we acknowledge our whole frailty and
confess that we can do no manner of good or acceptable service, but through Him
from whom all good counsels and just works do proceed and without whose Divine
and special favour, we must ever have remained unprofitable servants in His
sight.
The Upanishad says: “The mind
alone is the cause of man’s bondage; the mind is also, the instrument of
man’s liberation”. It is silence that can still the mind; it is silence that
will awaken the Supreme within you. In silence you can meditate; in silence you
can communicate with God. You can engage in an intimate and loving conversation
with God for He listens to your innermost prayers. Let me end my talk by
exhorting you all to -
“ In your happy moments –
Glorify
God!
In
your difficult moments –
Pray
to God!
In
your quiet moments –
Spend
time with God!
In
your painful moments – Praise God!
Every
moment –
Draw
closer to God. "
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