MN4.2.0 – The Fourth Step

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, the learner will be able to:

• Understand the historical context and reasons behind the split and eventual unification of the ‘Moderns’ and ‘Ancients’ Grand Lodges in England.
• Explain the significance of the 1813 compromise regarding the Royal Arch Degree within the United Grand Lodge of England.
• Identify and articulate the recent changes in the designation of the Royal Arch as the fourth step in regular Freemasonry.
• Analyze the symbolic and practical implications of this reclassification on the structure and practices of Freemasonry in the 21st century.
• Assess how the new four-step process impacts Masonic publications and the potential benefits for modern Masonic organizations.

The Fourth Step

audio link

This lesson, delves into an essential evolution within the United Grand Lodge of England ( U.G.L.E ) and its broader implications for Freemasonry. Recently, the Royal Arch has been designated as the fourth step in regular Freemasonry, shifting from the previous understanding that Freemasonry consists of three degrees and the Royal Arch.

To comprehend this change, it is crucial to explore the historical context. After the formation of the Premier Grand Lodge of England in 1717, a major split led to the establishment of a second Grand Lodge in 1751, known as the ‘Ancients,’ while the original was labelled the ‘Moderns.’ Both lodges coexisted until their unification in 1813, a move brokered by the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Kent. A key issue during this unification was the Royal Arch Degree. The compromise reached defined Freemasonry as consisting of three degrees, including the supreme degree of the Holy Royal Arch.

Previously, the Royal Arch was viewed as a completion of the Master Mason’s degree, but recent changes by U.G.L.E, now acknowledge it as a distinct fourth step. Masonic scholar Gerald Reilly illuminates this shift, emphasizing its significance for modern Freemasonry.

In understanding the Royal Arch as a fourth step, Reilly draws a parallel to the Volume of Sacred Law and the fifteen ‘Songs of Degrees’ in the book of Psalms, which symbolized ascending steps or stages in ancient ceremonies. This new conceptualization suggests a refined, four-step process within Freemasonry.

This lesson will unpack the rationales behind these changes and their implications for Freemasonry in the 21st century, providing insights into how this reconceptualization could streamline Masonic practices and attract new members. By examining these developments, we can appreciate how Freemasonry adapts and evolves while maintaining its rich traditions.

Activities

The Fourth Step

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