The Royal Arch Degree is the completion of the whole system of Freemasonry! As a Master Mason, you will have received your first three degrees in Masonry in the Craft or Symbolic Lodge.

According to Masonic legend, every man raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason received "substitute secrets", as the "true secrets" were lost. It may provide a surprise to the new Master Mason, believing his work is completed, to be told that the secrets pertaining to the ceremony will not be given him! He has, in fact, only received the first half of the Master Mason degree. Becoming a Royal Arch Mason completes the degree series.

The veil is lifted and the true secrets rediscovered in the degree of the Holy Royal Arch and in that degree only. Hence, no man actually becomes a complete Master Mason until he is exalted to that holy order.

Some would have the newly raised Master Mason believe that he can receive the true secrets in a degree other than the Royal Arch. This is not true, historically or otherwise. The mother Grand Lodge of England was so emphatic regarding the necessity of the Royal Arch degree that, many years ago, it set forth this as Paragraph One (1) of its Laws and Regulations:

"By the solemn act of the union between the two Grand Lodges of Freemasons of England in December, 1813, it was declared and pronounced that Pure Ancient Masonry consists of three degrees and no more, viz: those of the Entered Apprentice, the Fellowcraft, and the Master Mason, INCLUDING THE SUPREME ORDER OF THE HOLY ROYAL ARCH"

Thus only those who have attained the Royal Arch may be said to have completed their Masonic Work