This collection of nuggets, or precious discoveries in the study of Chapter Masonry are by various Companions. They may be used as talking points or observations should the opportunity arise during a Craft or Chapter meeting, for example. Some have been delivered as 'Chapter Reports' in the Humber 57 Craft Lodge.
Companions (the word derives from Middle English, from the Old French compaignon, literally 'one who breaks bread with another' based on the Latin com - 'together with' + panis 'bread' so this paragraph is itself a 'nugget') are encouraged to add to this hoard of valuable insights.
The Royal Arch Representative for 2022 in Humber Craft is E. Comp Ian Syddall
Ian keeps the Craft members up to date with Chapter proceedings, (see Humber Chapter Blog Page) and delivers valuable nuggets to inform those who have not yet completed their Masonic Square by joining the Supreme Degree, and, indeed, to enlighten Chapter members.
CHAPTER NUGGETS
(Most recent at the top - scroll down for earlier Chapter nuggets from our previous Royal Arch Chapter Representative, Mark Lindsay.)
Ian Syddall's nugget following The Humber Chapter No 57 'business meeting' on Thursday 6th January 2022:
At this meeting the Companions agreed who will be our next three Principals for the new current year, our installation being April 7th 2022.
The companions elected:
• E Comp Stanley J. Smith PPAGDC as 1st Principal, Zerubbabel;
Who was Zerubbabel?
In the Old Testament Zerubbabel was the grandson of Jehoiachin, penultimate King of Judah. Following the defeat of King Nebuchadnezzar of Bablyon by King Cyrus of Persia, the Israelites that had been held captive in Babylon were allowed to return home to Jerusalem.
Zerubbabel was appointed Governor of Judah by King Darius I (who came after King Cyrus; though it was Cyrus who conceived of the idea) and led the first group of returning Israelites, numbering over 42,000, on this long journey, described in the Book of Ezra.
Shortly after his arrival in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel laid the foundation stone of the Second Temple and supervised the rebuilding project, working closely with Joshua, son of Jozadak, the High Priest. King Darius I of Persia, was busy suppressing revolts elsewhere in his kingdom and so did not interfere.
Legend has it that Zerubbabel and Darius were good friends.
• E Comp Malcolm Forbes as 2nd Principal, Haggai;
Who was Haggai?
Haggai was one of those who returned from Babylon and began his ministries about 16 years after his return. The Lord spoke to him and said, ‘My people,should you be living in well built houses when my Temple lies in ruins?’
The rebuilding of the Temple had been stopped for 15 years and with Zerrubbabel, Haggai exhorted the people, roused them from their lethargy and induced them to take advantage of the favourable opportunity that had arisen in the change of policy of the Persian government.
Haggai is remembered for his four prophecies delivered over three months to urge the people to rebuild the Temple. The Book of Haggai can be found in the Old Testament. Because of the prophecies he is known as the Prophet Haggai.
• E Comp Richard Smedley as 3rd Principal, Joshua;
Who was Joshua?
Joshua was actually Jeshua. People kept confusing him with Joshua of Moses’ time. Jeshua (Joshua) was head of the Ninth priestly order and a Levite; as such he did not take up arms. The Levites were the religious men charged with doing the Lords work and were really the 13th tribe of the Israelites.
Jeshua, was appointed to his position by Hexekiath, who asked him to distribute offerings in priestly cities. His father, Jozadek, was the High Priest under Zerrubbabel in Jerusalem. Jeshua assisted in the reformation of Jerusalem under the leadership of Nehemiah.
August 2020:
Chapter Reports from Companion Mark Lindsay
2020 will always go down in world history as the Year of the Virus.
It has never been more important to consider joining the Chapter. From its humble beginnings in the 18th century right through to where we are now, it is essential that your journey from the Craft through to the Chapter is completed, not only to finish your Masonic story, but to carry on the teachings of the Chapter to future generations.
The Royal Arch has survived all its trials: World War 2 was one such.
As we all know people of the Jewish faith were rounded up tortured and killed by the Nazis, but there were also political and religious opponents which included hundreds if not thousands of Freemasons.
The six-pointed star is common to both. The hexagram relates to the star of David and the seal of Solomon (click to discover the difference) and is on display in the Lodge Room at Dagger Lane.
Mark Lindsay
~~ooOoo~~
February 2020:
Chapter Report
When I was doing my own research into the Chapter, I discovered that there were three Principals, who conjointly rule the Chapter, sitting together in the east of the assembly.
The three Principals are similar to the Worshipful Master of a Craft Lodge .
Zerubbabel – Prince of Jerusalem, Haggai – the Prophet, Joshua – the High Priest
According to the biblical narrative, Zerubbabel was a governor of the Achaemenid Empire's province Yehud Medinata and the grandson of Jeconiah, penultimate king of Judah and descendant of King David.
He led the first group of Jews, numbering 42,360, who returned from the Babylonian captivity in the first year of Cyrus the Great, king of the Achaemenid Empire.
The Most Excellent Zerubbabel is the First Principal in a Chapter, he wears a crimson robe and carries a sceptre bearing a crown.
In all of the accounts in the Hebrew Bible that mention Zerubbabel, he is always associated with the high priest who returned with him, Joshua son of Josedech .
Together, these two men led the first wave of Jewish returnees from exile and began to rebuild the Temple.
Excellent Companion Joshua is the Third Principal. He wears a blue robe and carries a sceptre bearing a mitre.
Joshua is similar to a Craft lodge Chaplain, saying the prayers at meetings.
Haggai was a Hebrew prophet during the building of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, one of the twelve minor prophets in the Hebrew Bible and the author of the Book of Haggai.
He is known for his prophecy in 520 BC, commanding the Jews to rebuild the Temple, warning that failure would bring pestilence and drought as a punishment from God.
Excellent Companion Haggai the Second Principal, wears a purple robe and carries a sceptre bearing the all seeing eye, which you would recognise from Craft Freemasonry.
All three Principals play a great historical role in the Chapter and researching them gave me a better understanding of their position.
If you want to know more about the three Principals or see them ruling the Chapter you will need to join the Holy Royal Arch, or visit as a Companion.
Mark Lindsay
~~ooOoo~~
January 2020:
Chapter Report
Royal Arch Masonry, in form and substance, is very old. It has been well described as an essential and component part of ancient Freemasonry and the perfection and completion of a beautiful system, yet although provided for in the first issued Book of Constitutions (1723), when the Master of a Craft Lodge had the right of authority to form a Chapter, this supreme degree was allowed to remain dormant for many years. It was revived by the "Grand Lodge of the Ancients" and became generally practised from 1751. It was recognised by the Moderns in 1770.
The history of the Humber Chapter is very interesting and in many respects unique, for it has a nearly unbroken record since 1811 and maintains many elements of ancient usage in ritual, vestements, ceremonial and control dating back to a period several years prior to the formation of the United Grand Chapter in 1817.
If you would like to know more about our history, you will need to join the Humber Chapter.
Any other Chapter, however, would also welcome you with open arms.
Mark Lindsay
~~ooOoo~~