To The Website For
Baraboo Valley Council No. 35,
Royal and Select Masters - Cryptic Masons
| 2002 Officers of Baraboo Valley Council No. 35 - Royal & Select Masters (Cryptic Masons) | ||
| Office | Name | |
| Illustrious Master | ************** | ************** |
| Deputy Master | ************** | ************** |
| Principal Conductor of Works | ************** | ************** |
| Treasurer | ************** | ************** |
| Recorder | ************** | ************** |
| Chaplain | ************** | |
| Captain of the Guard | ************** | |
| Conductor of the Council | ************** | ************** |
| Steward | ************** | **************comcast.net |
| Marshal | ************** | ************** |
| Sentinel | ************** | |
| Organist | ************** | ************** |
A Brief History
Cryptic Masonry in Baraboo has experienced its share of ups and
downs. Baraboo was initially Chartered as No. 23. in the mid-1800s,
(the exact date is unknown). On February 16, 1904 the Charter
was surrendered for lack of growth, lack of attendance and not
being able to perform its work.
On October 17, 1922, the Grand Council again issued a new Charter
to the Cryptic Masons of Baraboo, and the new Council was named
Baraboo Valley Council No.35. However in 1952, the Charter was
suspended. While records concerning this event are no longer
available, one may assume the reason for said suspension was
possibly due in part to late submission of the annual per capita
to the Grand Council. Regardless of the reason, the Charter was
reinstated, by the Grand Council, in 1953.
In 1957 there was a fire that destroyed all the records of all the
bodies that met in Baraboo. As everything was lost in the fire, the
Masonic Bodies which met at this building had to replace everything.
The only thing that could not be replaced was the records so the
names of the original members is forever lost. In 1959 a new Lodge
building was rededicated and the Cryptic Masons of Baraboo returned
to the new building with a desire to return to the work of this Council.
In the late 1800s, Columbia Council No.32 of Kilbourn City, now
known as Wisconsin Dells, consolidated with Baraboo. On November 27, 1942
Reedsburg Council No.17, of Reedsburg, consolidated with Baraboo. On
October 15, 1979 Fort Winnebago Council No.21, of Portage, closed
its doors and consolidated with Baraboo. It is sad to see any of the
York Rite bodies ever close their doors. However, this seemingly
negative action has its rewards. Due to the influx of new members,
we have continued to make the Baraboo York Rite Bodies grow and are
performing the work that the individual Councils were unable
to do.
This Council celebrated its 75th Anniversary with much jubilation,
and activity. The admission of new members, the proficiency of
degree work, and the increased participation of its members and
officers only seves to provide for the future success of this Body.
NAME: YEAR SERVED:
DaWayne I. Schatzka -- 1969, 1970
Martin W. Brown -- 1977, 1978
Kreighton I. McCutchin Jr. -- 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984
Joseph R. Williamson -- 1994
Anthony W. Harper -- 1995
Donald R. Wolterstorff -- 1996, 1997
Mark Olson -- 1998
General Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters Website
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C H A P T E R |
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C O M M A D E R Y |
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Ancient Craft
Masonry centers around the story of the preservation, loss and
recovery of the Word. The Word presents man's search for life's
purpose and the nature of God. Symbolic Freemasonry, as in the
Lodge, teaches of the loss of the Word and hope for its recovery.
Royal Arch Masonry, as in the Chapter, teaches of its recovery.
Cryptic Masonry, as in the Council, completes this story by
teaching of the Word's initial preservation.
As in many
of the Masonic degrees, the origins of the degrees of Cryptic
Masonry are shrouded in mystery. Yet, they have attained a
substantial growth and one out of every two Royal Arch Masons is
a Cryptic Mason.
Nearly two
hundred years ago the degrees of Royal Master and Select Master
appeared. Traveling Masonic lecturers throughout the East were
conferring them upon Masons, while engaging in instructing in
Craft (Lodge) and Capitular (Chapter) degrees. Even one Supreme
Council of the Scottish Rite included the degree of Select Master
as one of its "detached" degrees. But, these beautiful
degrees were not to remain detached for any length of time. The
state of Connecticut bore the first Grand Council in 1819. In
Virginia and West Virginia the degrees developed in the Chapter
of Royal Arch Masons where they still remain. In the 1870's a
General Grand Council was formed for the United States of
America.
Today this
General Grand Council numbers most of the Grand Councils in the
United States, as well as the western section of Canada.
The
Shriners (Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine)
limits its membership to Knights Templar (York Rite) and 32
degree (Scottish Rite) Masons. Until a few years ago, Cryptic
Masonry was not a series of degrees which one had to take to meet
requirements to join the Shriners of the
Commandery
of Knights Templar. However, in recent years a large number of
Grand Commanderies of Knights Templar have made the Cryptic
degrees a prerequisite for the Templar orders. Also, making it a
York Rite prerequisite for the Shrine. It appears that even more
Grand Commanderies will adopt this policy in the years ahead.
Biblical
students and archaeologists know of the vaults or crypts beneath
King Solomon's Temple. These vaults exist even at this late date.
Masonic degrees were probably not actually conferred in these
vaults.
However,
such a legend does persist throughout Freemasonry. The legends,
conveyed in this system of degrees, form a beautiful allegory or
story. The Masonic author, Albert G. Mackey, writing of the
vault, says: "The vault was, therefore, in the ancient
mysteries, symbolic of the grave: for initiation was symbolic of
death, where alone Divine Truth is to be found. Freemasons have
adopted the same idea. They teach that death is but the beginning
of Life; that if the first, or evanescent Temple of our
transitory life be on the surface, we must descend into the
secret vault of death before we can find that sacred deposit of
Truth, which is to adorn our second Temple of Eternal Life."
This teaching is not unusual in Freemasonry since as was stated
previously the requirements for membership include a professed
belief in God and one's eternal life.
The degrees
of the York Rite are classified as Symbolic (Lodge of Master
Masons). Capitular (Chapter of Royal Arch Masons). Cryptic
(Council of Cryptic Masons), and Chivalric (Commandery of Knights
Templar). The Cryptic Rite or degrees derives its name from the
setting of the degrees of Royal Master and Select Master in the
underground crypt beneath King Solomon's Temple. The word cryptic
means hidden, hence its use in describing these degrees. The last
of the series of Cryptic degrees is not crypticbecause it does
not comply with the requirement of a vault scene. It might be
regarded as one of the Cryptic Rite's detached degrees for it has
no connection either in history or symbolism with those of Royal
Master and Select Master, as shall be discuss later.
This is the
first degree of the Cryptic Rite as conferred in the United
States of America. Candidates who receive the degree are
impressed with its dignified ritual and relevant teachings. It
contains one section which is generally regarded as an
outstanding display of symbolism and content of philosophy. The
ritualistic presentations in the degree explain the articles
contained in the Holy of Holies of King Solomon's Temple,
including the Ark of the Covenant. A knowledge of which is
essential to those who would fully understand the preceding
degrees. The principal characters in the degree are Solomon and
his royal assistants.
The degree
of Select Master has not always been associated with that of
Royal Master. Jeremy Cross, a traveling Masonic lecturer, author,
and educator of the early 1800's, is given credit by most writers
for having combined the two degrees into one rite. There is
strong evidence to support the theory that the degree came from a
similar degree of the Scottish Rite called Intimate Secretary of
Grand Tiler of King Solomon. Regardless of its origin the legend
of this degree is old.
The scene of
this degree is laid in the underground vault of King Solomon's
Temple. The events which characterize the degree are stirring
enough to make it one of intense interest. The ritualistic
presentations contain the story to "complete the Circle of
Perfection" in Ancient Craft Masonry.
As we have
stated, the degree of Super Excellent Master is not a degree of
the Crypt. But, it relates events that lead to the recovery of
the lost Word. This degree beautifully tells of a period of
history in which all Freemasons are interested, that period
following the destruction of the first Temple. The essence of the
degree is foretold in the presentation by the Principal Sojourner
in the Royal Arch Degree when he makes reference "Zedekiah
was one and twenty year old when he began to reign and he reigned
for eleven years in Jerusalem, and he did that which as evil in
the sight of the Lord his God," etc. The degree of Super
Excellent Master is one of the best devised, most impressive, and
beautiful degrees. It is most enlightening and relevant to one's
daily life. In a display of exciting events, Biblical characters
come to life exemplifying the historical drama of the Holy Bible.
Here Nebuchadnezzar rules again; Zedekiah proves the results of
his wicked life; Ezekiel and Jeremiah prophesy the promises of
Almighty God.
The Cryptic
Rite is widespread, although governing bodies exist only in
England, Scotland, Canada, and the United States. In England the
Cryptic Degrees are controlled by a Grand Council of the Cryptic
Degrees. In Scotland, the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter has
jurisdiction over the Cryptic degrees, the Royal Ark Mariner
degree, the Knight of the East, and Knight of the East and West;
bodies of the Cryptic Rite are attached to Chapters. It is
interesting to note that while Scotland received the first three
degrees of the last series from American sources, the degree of
Thrice Illustrious Master, taken over recently in this country,
as of Scottish origin.
Freemasonry
seeks to improve the community by improving the individual.
Therefore, Councils of Cryptic Masons are found working with
Lodges, Chapters, and Commanderies giving more opportunities to
improve one's skills in leadership, public speaking,
interpersonal relationships, and administration. This empowers
Masons to become better leaders in their career, church, and
community. Councils also work with these and other Masonic groups
in community service projects to demonstrate Masonic teachings as
a way of life.
The General
Grand Council established the Cryptic Masons Medical Research
Foundation to give Cryptic Masons an opportunity to turn Masonic
philosophy into a living practice. Currently the Foundation is
working with medical researchers to find agents to prevent
atherosclerosis or more commonly known as hardening of the
arteries. This work places thousands of dollars annually into the
needed research to stop our nation's largest killer,
atherosclerosis and heart disease.
THE ROYAL MASTER DEGREE
THE SELECT MASTER DEGREE
THE SUPER EXCELLENT MASTER DEGREE
