 |
| Mark Master Tracing Board |
Mark
Master Degree
The
Operative to Speculative Connection
Tom
Hendrickson P.G.M.
The Mark Master
degree is the first degree in the Royal Arch Chapter. It is an extension of the Fellowcraft degree.
The Fellowcraft
degree contains a great amount of wisdom and knowledge. Its symbols and lessons can take a lifetime
to learn. Though the degree itself may
stand on its own merits, the candidate can be left with many unanswered
questions. The Mark Master degree compliments
and illustrates, in a practical manner, many of those questions.
The Mark Master
degree takes the candidate to a time immediately before the death of Hiram Abif
at a setting within a working stone quarry near King Solomon’s Temple. The candidate is now a workman as a Fellowcraft
laboring in the quarries and presenting his work for inspection.
The Mark Master
degree is explicitly related to working and building with stone. It takes its name from the medieval term
Masons Mark. The Mark Master degree explains the moral and ethical lessons of
life such as the values of integrity, honesty, charity, taking pride in your
own work and individual responsibility. The
working tools of the mallet and chisel are introduced along with the wages being
paid by coin.
When the
Operative Mason became a Fellowcraft, he selected a distinctive symbol known as
the Masons “Mark”. This mark would serve
as his signature, logo or trademark.
This unique mark would be recorded and registered in the lodges “Book of
Marks” and this mark would be used for his lifetime. It was and remains common that a father would
pass their mark onto their son.
In a historical
context, the Masons Mark had many practical purposes. The Mason’s employment was effectively
piecework. He was given credit for the
work completed and paid based upon his marked stones. He was also held accountable for the quality
of this work as each Mason’s stones were marked
.
Without
exception Freemasonry has always been associated with stone masons. It has borrowed much from the medieval
operative stone masons such as the symbolism of the working tools, gauges and
the use of marks.
In the ancient
records of operative masonry, dating back over three centuries, there is
mention of the Masons Mark. As early as
1598, the Lodge of St Mary’s Chapel Scotland speaks of a Masons Mark and of the
Mark Degree.
By reviewing
old Scottish records it is clear that the speculative masons selected their
marks just as the operative masons chose marks.
In the Mark book of the Masonic Lodge of Aberdeen dated 1670 it shows
forty nine marks and the members names opposite the marks.
And finally,
the Mark Master degree uses symbols, scriptures, links to other degrees,
lectures, rituals and some drama to communicate a very powerful message that
the Brother experiencing the Capitular Degree is going to be transformed from a
Master Builder to a Spiritual Builder.
The Mark Master degree is his first step towards the revelations of the
Holy Royal Arch Degree.
The Mark Master
degree is another valuable piece of the puzzle you need to become a complete
Freemason. You have already started your
journey in the pure and ancient craft by joining your lodge and advancing
through the degrees.
If you are
interested in learning more, and completing you journey, you may want to
consider talking to a member of the Royal Arch for more information.
