WHAT IS THE DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE SCOTTISH RITE
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES SUPREME COUNCIL OF SOVEREIGN GRAND INSPECTORS GENERAL OF THE THIRTY-THIRD AND LAST DEGREE OF THE ANCIENT ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE OF FREEMASONRY FOR THE NORTHERN JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
The Supreme Council reaffirms its unswerving loyalty to the fundamental purpose of Freemasonry, which purpose from time immemorial has been to improve and strengthen the character of the individual man, and through the individual, the character of the community, thus under girding the community with those spiritual values which give it strength and stability. The Supreme Council believes that this purpose is to be attained by laying a broad basis of principle upon which men of every race, country, sect, and opinion may unite.
Believing that good and true men can be trusted to act well and wisely, this Supreme Council considers it the duty of the Fraternity to impress upon its members the principles of personal righteousness and personal responsibility, to enlighten them as to those things which make for human welfare, and to inspire them with that feeling of charity, or well-wishing, toward all mankind which will move them to translate principle and conviction into action.
To that end Freemasonry teaches a belief in God and faith in His divine purpose. It encourages the worship of God in conformity with the dictates of individual conscience. It stands for truth and justice, liberty and enlightenment, fraternity and philanthropy.
This Supreme Council expects of its members strict obedience to the laws of the land, and respect for their country's flag. Such principles unite men and encourage the pursuit by them individually and collectively of worthy endeavors and the attainment of purposes inherent in them. In that unity, human character achieves its highest unfolding and provides man's best hope for peace on earth and good will among men.
To the furtherance of these principles, all our ritual is directed and all our efforts are aimed. To their furtherance each Master Mason has pledged himself, and at the portal of the Scottish Rite has renewed that pledge. The Supreme Council discountenances and rejects any attempt by any international groups or confederations of Scottish Rite Supreme Councils to legislate for individual Supreme Councils.
Recognizing that principles unite men, that programs sometimes divide them, and that the preservation of unity of purpose and devotion to principle is essential to Freemasonry, the Supreme Council affirms its continued adherence to that ancient and approved rule of Freemasonry which forbids the discussion within tiled doors of creeds, politics, or other topics apt to excite personal animosities. The Supreme Council further affirms its conviction that it is not only contrary to the fundamental principles of Freemasonry, but exceedingly dangerous to its unity, strength, usefulness and welfare for Masonic bodies in their official capacity to take formal action or attempt to exercise pressure or influence for or against any particular legislative project or proposal, or in any way to attempt to procure the election or appointment of Governmental officials, whether executive, legislative, or judicial, or to influence them, whether or not members of the Fraternity, in the performance of their official duties.
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WHAT IS THE DOUBLE HEADED EAGLE?
The Double-Headed Eagle of Lagos is the oldest Royal Crest in the World. Nor heraldic bearing, no emblematic device of today can boast such antiquity. It was in use a thousand years before the Exodus from Egypt, and more than 2000 years before the building of King Solomon’s Temple. The Double-Headed eagle was first used in Freemasonry in 1758 by the Masonic Body in Paris known as the Emperors of the East and West which controlled the advance degrees then in use and was the precursor of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite.
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WHAT IS A SCOTTISH RITE MASON?
To become really and truly a Scottish Rite Mason is a challenge to the best qualities to be found in any man. His private life, his everyday actions, his business contacts, and his general associations are all affected by the truths he has learned and the human understanding he has gained through his experiences in the Scottish Rite. It cannot be otherwise for one who has taken the teachings of the Scottish Rite seriously.
The experience and understanding he has acquired through his membership in the Rite clothes him with a power of thought that influences his daily endeavor. It makes him a constructive example for the good of the neighborhood and community in which he lives and conducts his labors. The Scottish Rite Mason is a character builder.
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WHAT IS THE SCOTTISH RITE DEGREES
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33° SOVEREIGN GRAND INSPECTOR GENERAL |
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32° Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret 31° Knight Aspirant 30° Grand Inspector Inquisitor Commander 29° Knight of St. Andrew 28° Knight of the Sun 27° Commander of the Temple 26° Prince of Mercy 25° Knight of the Brazen Serpent 24° Brother of the Forest 23° Chief of the Tabernacle 22° Prince of Libanus 21° Patriarch Noachite 20° Master ad Vitam 19°
Grand
Pontiff |
Traditional and Chivalric Degrees |
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18° Knight of the Rose Croix of H.R.D.M. 17°
Knights of
the East and West |
Philosophical Degrees |
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16° Knight of Jerusalem 15°
Knight of
the East and West |
COUNCIL OF PRINCES OF JERUSALEM Historical Degrees |
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14° Grand Elect Mason 13° Master of the Ninth Arch 12° Grand Master Architect 11° Sublime Master Elected 10° Elect of Fifteen 9° Master Elect of Nine 8° Intendant of the Building 7° Provost and Judge 6° Master of the Brazen Serpent 5° Perfect Master
4°
Master
Traveler |
Ineffable Degrees |
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WHAT IS A SCOTTISH RITE REUNION?
A reunion of the Scottish Rite Bodies is more than just a time for conferring degrees upon a class of worthy Master Masons. It is what the name implies -- a reunion; a reunion of friends who see each other all too seldom; a reunion of classmates of other years. It is an opportunity for members of the class to become acquainted, to be linked in a bond which endures.
More than that, it is a time when we who have been members for a short or long time, witness the degrees again to be inspired by a better understanding of the mysteries through their repetition. The Scottish Rite degrees never get "stale" nor do they bore the sincere Mason, even after decades of witnessing.
But beyond this stands the candidate, who is seeing for the first time the drama, the dignity, the beauty, the power of these teachings. It is a thrill never to be forgotten to sit at the feet of earnest, sincere Scottish Rite Masons as the lessons are unfolded. The candidate will be uplifted by one degree, literally transfixed by the power of another; his blood will course faster as the costumed characters bring into being the ancient truths, the epoch-making events of our country's history.
From the Fourth Degree, wherein the candidate learns that duty is always with us, to the Thirty-second by which he is created a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret, the Preceptory's familiar surroundings are transformed from one scene to another by the use of paraphernalia, costumes, stage sets and lighting.
He learns that "Virtues jus, morse non separabit"-- virtue joins, death cannot separate, and that "Spes mea in Deo est" -- my hope is in God. He finds the struggle between good and evil continues; that he is to bear the Great Light of Truth into the world; that the hand of God is upon all them who seek Him. All this and more he learns. His eye is pleased by what he sees; his ears by what he hears; his heart by the knowledge that "all men be brethren."
To carry a spear, stand silently, or speak at length as one of the chief characters of a degree, a man will leave his home, his machine, his office, that the story may be told and the picture be presented. Long hours of private study and rehearsals under the watchful eye of a competent director prepare him for the fleeting moment of the degree. The literally hundreds of men are involved in putting on a Reunion work without pay, except that which comes from doing a workmanlike job. The sacrifice of time -- and even money sometimes -- is not counted as a loss, but as a gain. This is a Reunion.
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WHAT IS THE LODGE OF PERFECTION?
The Lodge of Perfection degrees – 4° through 14° inclusive – are commonly called the Ineffable Degrees. In these eleven lessons, the candidate will observe many references, scenes and characters which recall and amplify the three Symbolic Degrees. The degrees are ineffable because the lessons involve man’s age old quest to describe the indescribable and to utter that which is incapable of being spoken.
OFFICERS
EAU
CLAIRE LODGE OF PERFECTION - 14°
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Lyle Koerner Jr. |
Thrice Potent Master |
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Larry Drangstveit |
Deputy Master |
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Thomas Christiano |
Senior Warden |
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Michael Epson |
Junior Warden |
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Roger Bischoff |
Orator |
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James Fenno |
Master of Ceremonies |
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Peter Thompson |
Hospitaler |
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Samuel Retallick |
Captain of the Guard |
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WHAT IS THE COUNCIL OF THE PRINCES OF JERUSALEM?
The
Council of Princes of Jerusalem - 15° through 16° inclusive
– teaches
lessons using settings based on the
ancient captivity of the Hebrews and the building of the second
Temple.
The 15° and 16°
beautifully illustrate how fidelity to duty and courage to be loyal to
Truth,
arouse the admiration in others.
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OFFICERS |
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EAU CLAIRE COUNCIL PRINCES OF JERUSALEM - 16° |
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Ozcan
Kilic |
Sovereign Prince |
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Jeff
Burgfechtel |
High Priest |
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Dean
Swett |
Senior Warden |
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David
Hoffman |
Junior Warden |
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J
Englund |
Master of Ceremonies |
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Gerald
Berg |
Hospitaler |
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Wayne
Franson |
Master of Entrances |
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WHAT IS THE CHAPTER OF ROSE CROIX?
The Chapter of Rose Croix, the 17° through 18° - inclusive is the spiritual heart of the Scottish Rite and emphasizes a new law that the only lasting Temple is in the soul of man.
OFFICERS
EAU CLAIRE CHAPTER OF ROSE CROIX 18°
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Daniel Hendrickson |
Most Wise Master |
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David Renly |
Senior Warden |
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Roger Hancock |
Junior Warden |
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Alphonso Cantu |
Orator |
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James Carlson |
Master of Ceremonies |
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The Consistory, the 19° through the 32°, portrays memorable lessons that range from the age of chivalry through the 20th century. Known as the Traditional and Chivalric Degrees which teach the ultimate victory of good over evil, the dignity of labor, toleration is respect for the opinions and religious convictions of others, the firm conviction of separation of church and state, that treason is a crime over which Masonry casts no mantle of charity, that it is more noble to forgive than seek revenge, that he who judges others must himself be above reproach, and that the ultimate gift of the Divine is Love for one another.
OFFICERS OF THE
EAU
CLAIRE
CONSISTORY
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