Is the York Rite Dead?

By S.K. Ray Hayward

The title for this article was easy to decide upon. It was my question in response to the statement: “Don’t join the York Rite, it’s dying in Minnesota.” After being raised to the degree of Master Mason I was not yet interested in, or in any hurry to go on to, any of the appended bodies. I had enough lessons to process from my first three degrees. Little did I know that I would be bombarded to get more light by joining the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, or by becoming a Shriner. (Couldn’t they see I was quite bright and glowing in the aftermath of my third degree?) The timing for all this seemed wrong. I was congratulated on my raising and asked to go on to other bodies before I had even attended my first Lodge meeting. It’s kind of like getting congratulated at your wedding and being told about a great obstetrician.

After a while I did go in search for more light in Masonry. I had heard that the Royal Arch degree revealed the missing Master’s word and it had something to do with the Ark of the Covenant—two subjects in which I’ve always held interest. I was also interested in the Knights Templars and their history. I then decided to join the York Rite, and boy was I in for a shock! Some of my brothers who are active in the Scottish Rite were mad or disappointed with me. Why is there so much competition? What happened to, “Spreading the cement of brotherly love and affection,” and “Among whom no contention should ever exist”? I was told the York Rite is dead and that the York Rite was just for fundamentalist Christians. It seemed as though contempt and negativity were being heaped upon me by the trowel full! I never said I wouldn’t take the Scottish Rite degrees (I plan to when I finish my York Rite degrees) or that I was saying one was better than the other. Is the Scottish Rite better than the York Rite? Is the Shrine better than them all? Does two pair beat three-of-a-kind? We are not supposed to persuade our brothers to our political or religious agendas. Why then should we try to steer them toward our personal favorite appended bodies?

As of the writing of this article, I have not yet taken the Council degrees, but I would like to make some comments on my personal observations of the Chapter and Commandery. The Chapter degrees are closely related to the three Blue Lodge degrees. They seem to precede them as well as follow them all at the same time. Some historians have concluded that the Royal Arch degree is the oldest degree in Masonry. It does have the lost Master’s word and it explains the workings of the Blue Lodge degrees. The mysteries surrounding Grandmaster Hiram Abif, although not completely explained, are more understandable and if you are as big a fan of King Solomon as I am, the Chapter degrees give more of his teachings and wisdom.

By far, the most criticism I encountered concerned the Commandery. I’d like to share my opinions (since no solitary man can define Masonry, aside from his personal Masonry) on the Commandery. When I was going through the Chapter, I had the privilege to meet a brother whom I now consider to be one of my mentors, Charles Nelson. Everyone called him Charlie. He introduced himself as Charlie. He even told me to call him Charlie, although now I sometimes have trouble doing so. So, this guy Charlie asked me if I was planning to go on to the Commandery. I said I didn’t know yet, but asked what he thought of it. He said the degrees were some of the most memorable and profound he had ever experienced. I liked his honesty. I liked the fact that he didn’t pressure me, but simply talked to me as one adult to another. Little did I know at the time that he was the Right Eminent Grand Commander of Knights Templars for Minnesota! (And he’s also a very active 32^nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, go figure!) It was at this time I made up my mind to pursue the Order of the Temple. Any doubts or reservations about the fundamentalist Christian nature of the Commandery were falling away and about to be laid to rest.

My friend and Lodge Brother, James Whitney, was ahead of me in the York Rite and shared his observations freely with me. As one of the most diverse, knowledgeable, and eclectically spiritual persons I know, I was interested to find out his thoughts on the Christian foundation of the York Rite. He told me that not only was the Christianity inclusive, but that he got a deep message about the universal teachings of Jesus. This put me at ease. I had heard that the obligation was only for Christians and I hadn’t really defined my own Christianity. I was also concerned about what kind of Christianity it would be—was it Catholic, Protestant, Mormon, Coptic, Branch Davidian, Anglican, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Rastafarian, Methodist, Southern Baptist, Celtic, or Eastern Orthodox? I also wondered who decided what kind of Christianity it would be in the first place. Some of the literature on Commandery is confusing on these points.

Without compromising my obligation I can say my vow could fit anyone’s positive belief about Jesus and his teachings. My personal Christianity is so eclectic that a fundamentalist could easily brand me a heretic. (I am in good company with Jacques de Molay, Godfrey de Charney, and the countless other Knights Templars burned at the stake.) I’ve always subscribed to the definition of Christianity as found in the Koran,

Chapter 5, Verse 27

And nearest amongst them in love

To the Believers whilst thou

Find those who say;

‘We are Christians’

Because amongst those are

Men devoted to learning,

And men who have renounced the world,

And they are not arrogant.

In line with Masonic teachings I found the freedom of my own religious opinion. No one questioned my beliefs, practices, or affiliations. I took my obligation without the least equivocation, mental reservation, or self-evasion whatsoever. If you are a Templar then you will know what I mean when I say, the Fifth Libation, the Skull lecture, the Knighting Ceremony, and the Flag lectures are profound and mysterious and contain universal messages for all religions and spiritual paths. I found the historical, mystical, and Masonic Templarism come alive in the Order of the Temple.

I’d like to offer some possible solutions to some of the problems facing the York Rite in the new millennium. My first idea is to have the three York Rite bodies joined together for one Grand Meeting. What is the taboo about doing things on Sunday? Keep the morning free and reconvene in the afternoon and all three bodies can get their business done in one weekend.

The second idea is to promote a Grand Convention. Let me say that Grand Conclaves and Grand Communications, etc. are mostly grand business meetings. Let’s get together for workshops, speakers, entertainment, education programs, demonstrations, think tanks, fun events, and camaraderie. The York Rite already occupies two weekends per year. Why not have one for business and one for education and pleasure? Let’s keep proposals, resolutions, and financial reports separate from our bonding, fraternization, and mystic tying.

My third idea concerns books and the Internet. There are various authors writing books on Masonry, the Knights Templars, Rosslyn Chapel, and other related subjects. I am always amazed when I mention these authors to my brother Masons and they’ve never read any of their works. Who then is reading all these best sellers and keeping these authors in business? The answer is our potential brothers. I’ve met new Masons who came to our fraternity not from someone they knew, but from books they have read. How about the Internet? I have been to countless web sites and links regarding Knights Templars. There is a huge interest out there. Who is pursuing these interested individuals and helping bring them to the craft? We’ve got to stop looking for the car keys that are in our own hands and tap into this next generation of Masons, York and Scottish Rite members and Shriners.

In conclusion let me say—the York Rite is not dead. It is what the Chinese call a Sleeping Dragon. He may look still and inactive, but watch out when he wakes up because he’s going to need to stretch, to fly, and, he has a powerful appetite! The York Rite, like all churches, synagogues, and other organizations, needs to keep up with the times and recognize the emerging face of the future. Society, the family, and the world are changing, adapting and evolving, so to must the York Rite. I feel the York Rite has many answers to today’s dilemmas. We have to stop being shy, get out there and give more than just the charity of dollars—we have to give the charity of our hearts. Non Nobis Domine, Non Nobis, Sed Nomini Tuo Da Gloriam.