What’s the Point of Each Degree?

From the Wisconsin Masonic Journal, May, 1999

Let us cover the central points of each degree. Masons, this should serve as a good reminder since you have been through them. Non-Masons, save this article and use it to your heart’s delight.

Anything you may have read or heard about Masonry being a secret society is obviously a myth. Every Masonic Lodge is clearly marked, they are listed in the phone books, and most often, they even have signs telling when their meetings are held.

What goes on in those meetings is also no secret - they do two things: they conduct the business of the lodge and they perform degrees. To destroy any myth about those degrees, here is what is taught.

What is the Central Point of the Entered Degree?

What is the Central Point of the Entered Apprentice Degree? To “learn.” The answer is really that simple. The degree impresses upon Masons to (necessity to) learn. Learn what? Moral Principles - Brotherly Love, Relief, Truth, Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, Justice, Circumspection, Faith, Hope, and Charity.

This point is best made within the context of one of the lectures given to a man becoming a Master Mason when he is taught that his education is analogous to life: “In youth, as Entered Apprentices, we ought industriously to occupy our minds in the attainment of useful knowledge.”

What about the Fellowcraft Degree?

What is the Central Point of the Fellowcraft Degree? To “execute.” Again, the answer is really that simple. The entire degree impresses upon Masons to perform, to practice, to do - to execute. Execute what? The “Moral Principles” mentioned above.

In this degree, Masons are issued a challenge to perform. Cast from clay, (in the clay grounds) we are to spend the length of our lives (the River Jordan between Succoth and Zeredatha) strengthening our souls (our hollow pillars) with the tools (archives of Masonry) necessary to prevail over destructive acts of God and man (inundations and conflagrations).

In other words, through the execution of well-learned moral principles, our faith will be strengthened. Again, this point is well made using the same lecture mentioned in the paragraph above where Masons are taught that, “In manhood, as Fellowcrafts, we are to apply that knowledge to the discharge of our respective duties to God, our neighbor and ourselves.”

And the Master Mason Degree?

What is the Central Point of the Master Mason Degree? To “reflect.” The Master Mason Degree in its entirety does not really inform us of anything new, it actually asks a question. Are you prepared? If death were to strike, do you have the necessary strength of faith that your existence on earth and belief in God will qualify you for eternal life?

Citing the same lecture as before, Masons are taught that, “In age, as Master Masons, we may enjoy the happy reflections consequent on a well-spent life, and die in the hope of a glorious immortality.”

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