Why Knight Masonry?

When one is initiated into something one is often blindfolded and/or in darkness. When one begins something new one is often "in the dark" as to its customs, policies, and procedures. When one is initiated into Freemasonry the same holds true.  Even in this era when much of the ritual may be found online, one is never really quite sure what he will experience until it happens.

In the Green Degrees associated with Knight Masonry the Old Testament history of the return of the Judean people from captivity in Babylon is reviewed.  The people returning to their Temple may have had knowledge of Solomon's Temple and its customs, policies, and procedures, but they were "in the dark" until they actually returned to see the state of their beloved Temple after its destruction and some 70 years of neglect.

When the long lost Roll of the Law was discovered during their repairs of the Temple, the people saw light again after a long period of darkness, and they diligently worked to build the Temple that they fervently desired.

Masonic Degrees deal with a most interesting period in Judean history, but two of the degrees discussed here take place in a foreign land and in the court of foreign kings. In these degrees we learn of fidelity, of faith and courage and of the rewards provided for such virtues.

In the books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Haggai, we are reminded that though the Judean people were in captivity for seventy years and were forbidden to leave, it was a captivity where they were allowed to own land, take part in trade and commerce, and to be active in the political life of Babylon.  Many of them rose to positions of power and wealth in the land. In general they had experienced peace and prosperity.

Yet a number of them arise and leave all that behind them and undertake a hazardous journey through a desert country, swarming with their hereditary enemies, to settle in a land laid desolate by war.  Why?  Why did they sacrifice themselves, their interests, and their prospects in such a way?

The degrees of Knight Masonry provide us with an answer – that they might prosecute the search for truth and worship of God according to their faith in the home and Temple of their fathers.  The main object in life for them was the search for truth.  In the degree Zerubbabel proclaimed to the assembled courtiers of King Darius that there was no greater power on earth than truth, it was greater than all the worldly power they could imagine their King to possess.  It is always strong.  It is always alive.  It always prevails.