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Valley of Green Bay Gerry Brebner, Secretary
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About the Supreme Council
The System of DegreesWhat Is The Scottish Rite?The Scottish Rite is one of two appendant bodies of Freemasonry in which a Master Mason may proceed after he has completed the three degrees of Blue Lodge, or Craft Lodge, Masonry. Any Master Mason in good standing may petition for membership. He must be judged of good moral character and be elected by the members. Neither Scottish in origin nor a rite in the religious sense, the Scottish Rite has as its ultimate goal mankind’s moral and spiritual development. The local Scottish Rite organization is called a “Valley” and confers the 4th through the 32nd degrees in degree-conferring meetings called “Reunions.” The Scottish Rite is often called the “College of Freemasonry.” Its degrees further a man’s Masonic education by using drama to develop progressive ethical awareness and self-knowledge through self-reflection and dramatic allegories that emphasize the message of its degrees. Degree work may, but not necessarily, be completed at one time. The Scottish Rite shares the belief of all Masonic organizations that there is no higher degree than that of Master Mason. Its degrees are in addition to, and in no way higher than, those of Blue Lodge, or Craft Lodge, Masonry. The degrees simply amplify and elaborate on lessons of the craft, providing further knowledge of Masonry, the building of the Temple, and ancient religions, with memorable lessons ranging from the days of chivalry to modern times.
History of Scottish RiteThe Scottish Rite is said to have been brought to the New World in 1761. In 1801, the first Scottish Rite Supreme Council was established in South Carolina, becoming known as the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America, the Supreme Council 33rd degree, Mother Council of the World. Twelve years later, this council authorized the formation of a second one in New York City, known as the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America. The Supreme Council of the Northern Jurisdiction, with headquarters in Lexington, Mass, consists of 15 states north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River. Membership in the Supreme Council of the Northern Jurisdiction is limited to 67 active 33rd degree Masons, excluding emeritus and past active members. All Scottish Rite Jurisdictions nominate a select few members to receive the 33rd Degree. At the annual meeting of the Supreme Council, these members become Sovereign Grand Inspectors General and Honorary Members of the Supreme Council. This degree is in recognition of outstanding service to the Rite, or in public life to the principles taught in the degrees. Both the Northern and Southern Jurisdictions have Deputies. In the NMJ, the Deputy is the senior Active Member in any state, administering the Scottish Rite in that state. He is assisted by several Actives. All Supreme Councils and their subordinate bodies acknowledge the supremacy of Symbolic Grand Lodges. Termination of Symbolic Lodge membership automatically terminates Scottish Rite membership, whether a man’s rank is 4th degree, or 14th, or 33rd.
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