THE YORK RITE STORY

As narrated by Brother "YORKIE" RITE"

Hello Brother! let's get acquainted. My friends call me by, two names --- each proper enough . . . "American Rite" and "York Rite" well, I'm an informal fellow, so just call me "YORKIE" for short. Pardon my bravado, but I'm about the biggest fellow in Masonry you 'II ever meet . . . strongest too! Matter of fact, about one out of every five of your Blue Lodge friends prizes a membership in my family. IN THE UNITED STATES ALONE. Chapters 3416 – Members 712,000 Councils 1411 – Members 293, 000 Commanderies 1011 – Members 390,000 And do I get around! . . . . I’m recognized all over the world – from Hong Kong to Yellowknife. For instance, I have over 7,000 Royal Arch Chapters, along in towns, large and small. My current dues card is your passport to friendship from Ballymcarrett to Pietermanitzburg! .

 No wonder they call me…"MR UNIVERSAL MASON". But I’m not merely a world-traveler I’m a hard worker right here in the old United States of America. Did you know that I helped build, and now support, a good percentage of all the Masonic Temples in our country? Some I built myself. Might be that your own lodge meets is a building I made possible. Know why I do that? . . . Early in my Masonic journey, I pledged my full support to the Symbolic Lodges ... also vowed to make better informed Masons of their members! For that reason, I even print two national magazine and have set up an Educational Bureau! What's more . . . my work isn't confined to my own family . . . no sir . . . I help all sorts of people regardless of their race, creed or color. For instance my Knights Templar Educational Foundation has lent millions of dollars to deserving college student . . . and my Eye Foundation given sight, or corrected defects of vision in hundreds of children and adults who were unable to afford treatment. I support orphanages, old folks' homes, children's camps, 'teen age clubs; contribute to disaster relief, humanics foundations, schools of religion and dozens of other projects.

That's why I'm often called . . . .

"MR. CHRISTIAN MASON"

Sure, my head's in the clouds! . . . but my feet are on the ground! Kings and princes are honored to call me "Companion" and "Sir Knight" . . . as well as the man on Main Street in a Midwestern village. I speak for Freemasonry at the "grass roots" . . I am controlled by the vote of the individual members of my family. They elect their local officers . . . who elect state officers . . . who, in turn, select national officers. See why I am called . . .

"MR. DEMOCRATIC MASON?"

I've got a secret too! . . . the most important one in Freemasonry! 

Remember in your Blue Lodge journey when you were given a "substitute" for something? . . . Did it ever occur to you that to have a "substitute" means the real thing must be available someplace? . . . it is, and I would like to share it with you! Actually, my explanations of the first three degrees of Masonry will lift many curtains in your mind. Did you know I am over 200 years old? That makes me the oldest of the "Rite Family". Getting stronger every day tool . . . I remember back in 1813 when the present Grand Lodge of England was formed . . . they invited me to sit in, and I've been a part of it ever since.

That's why they call me . . ."MR. ANCIENT CRAFT MASON". . .Well, that's my story in a nutshell . . . of course there's lots more, and any member of my family will gladly give you the details . . . But right now, I'd like to get better acquainted with YOU! After all, it's men like yourself, who have already been proven good and true, that I represent. I have a place for you and your talents let me take you 'by the hand and lead you up the ladder to a new understanding . . . I will open many doors for you that have heretofore been closed,

WILL YOU JOIN ME?

PERTINENT POINTS CONCERNING THE AMERICAN, OR YORK RITE

NO INVITATION NEEDED

NO PROFICIENCY REQUIRED

NO ROUGHNESS OR "HORSE PLAY"

REASONABLE FEES

LOWEST DUES

EDUCATIONAL DEGREES ARE DRAMATIZED

SOCIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR FAMILY

PREREQUISITE FOR MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

BEST OPPORTUNITY FOR PARTICIPATION

WIDEST OPPORTUNITY FOR VISITATIONS BRANCHES AND DEGREES OF THE AMERICAN, OR YORK RITE

THE SYMBOLIC (BLUE) LODGE

Entered Apprentice

Fellowcraft

Master Mason

CHAPTER OF ROYAL ARCH MASONS

Mark Master

Past Master

Most Excellent Master

Royal Arch Mason

COUNCIL OF ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS

Royal Master

Select Master

Super Excellent Master

COMMANDERY OF KNIGHTS TEMPLAR

Order of Red Cross

Order of Malta

Order of the Temple

For more information please contact:

Bobby J. Kitchen, KYCH, KT,

Onslow York Rite Masons,

Secretary/Recorder

P. O. Box 427, Jacksonville, NC 28541-0427

This Information was provided by:

Educational Bureau General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons