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FELLOWCRAFT MASON
THE CRAFT AND ITS SYMBOLS
Worshipful Michael H. Koplitz The Fellowcraft Mason's Degree is enriched with the antiquity of Freemasonry. In the early development of Freemasonry, itwas for the Fellowcraft Mason's Degree that a candidate needed to attend a Lodge meeting. The "highest" degree was considered the Fellow of the Craft Degree. When a man strove to become the WorshipfulMaster of his Lodge, we underwent the extra degrees of Master and Mark Masons. During the development of the degrees, the Master Mason's Degree was added and the Mark Mason became part of the RoyalArch Chapter. The Fellowcraft Degree in other jurisdictions is performed differently. After the candidate takes his obligation, he is taken on a "trip" up the winding stairs of the temple. Solomon'stemple had three sections. The Entered Apprentices were not permitted to have access to the second and third floors and the Fellowcrafts could not access the third floor. The Fellowcrafts would meet atthe end of the week before the Sabbath in the middle chamber of the temple on the second floor. At that time, they would be paid for their labors in grains, wines and oils. There would be plenty oftime for them to return home before the beginning of the Sabbath (the day of rest). The Fellowcrafts would go up to the top of the winding stairs and be greeted by our equivalent, the Junior Warden. Hewould ask for the grip and password to gain access to the middle chamber. The Fellowcraft, after giving the proper response, would move down a short corridor to the next door. The Senior Warden wouldask him for the grip and password that would give him admittance to the middle chamber. The Fellowcraft would give the proper grip and password and would be admitted into the middle chamber. EachFellowcraft’s work was tallied and each was paid accordingly. The Fellowcraft goes on a journey up the winding stairs to the middle chamber of King Solomon's temple. The first three steps allude to the...