The third part was enacted in the Grand Sanhedrin – the Supreme Council consisting of 72 members which sat together to regulate affairs of the Temple and religious life of the Jews and before entering you were told A Janitor, however, entering to receive his collar and jewel of office, salutes the name on the pedestal and does so again when retiring. Thus the Royal Arch leads the candidate from the practical to the spiritual and completes “Pure Antient Masonry”, a fascinating journey of self-knowledge and even self-discovery beginning with the Entered Apprentice degree in the Craft and culminating in the First Principal’s chair of his Holy Royal Arch Chapter. After the Third Degree

Denslow, Ray and Everett C. Turnbull. History of Royal Arch Masonry Part One. Kessinger. ISBN 1-4179-5004-8. p. 115. "There has existed, in the Americas, a belief that the degree was fabricated by Webb, Hanmer, and other early American ritualists...but the substance of the degree can be located in other degrees which were being conferred at about the same time it was introduced into this country." The second difference lies in our custodianship of the Aldersgate Ritual. The Chapter of Improvement was formed in 1900 and is governed by a Committee. Thus no individual Preceptor can make changes and the Committee does not alter the ritual unless told to do so by Supreme Grand Chapter. What is Freemasonry? Freemasonry is one of the oldest social and charitable organisations in the world and its principles are Integrity, Friendship, Respect and Service

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As for the origins of the Ritual itself, it is suitably shrouded in mystery. The Chapter of Improvement clearly started as a general Chapter of Improvement or Instruction and was not only for members of the Aldersgate Chapter. In 1904 it printed 300 cards setting out the programme.By the 1920's the average attendance was about 25.

With the exception of Scotland and Scandinavia (where Swedish rite is used), the English system of Royal Arch Masonry is also found in other European states, as well as in Australasia, and is currently being introduced to many eastern European states, including Russia and Serbia. [34] Due to the difference in organisation, notable restrictions apply to English members of the Royal Arch who wish to attend Royal Arch meetings in Scotland (see below). Proceedings of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of California. Sacramento: James Anthony & Co., Printers, Union Book and Job Office. 1855. OCLC 999860125. This is the easily recognisable symbol of the Royal Arch. The Tau, is the Greek letter T and comes at number 19 in their alphabet. In the Province of West Lancashire, the Provincial Grand Master is also the head of Provincial Grand Chapter. In 1774, the "Antients" formed their own Royal Arch Grand Chapter upon Laurence Dermott's instigation. Its members were Grand Lodge officers who happened to hold the Royal Arch degree, its meetings were ordained by Grand Lodge, and its proceedings approved by that same body.The head of Royal Arch is HRH the Duke of Kent who is known as The Most Excellent First Grand Principal. In the Most Excellent Master degree the building of King Solomon's Temple, which figures so prominently in Blue Lodge, has been completed. In England and Wales, the degree is conferred by Cryptic Councils, along with three other degrees (see below).