How do the teachings of the Craft degrees compare to those of the Royal Arch?
The teachings of the Craft degrees and the Royal Arch are interconnected yet distinct in their focus and depth. The Craft degrees, comprising the Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason, primarily address the transitory aspects of human existence and the development of personal virtues. They guide the Mason in mastering his physical and emotional nature, as well as the cultivation of intellectual faculties. As noted in *The Hidden Life in Freemasonry*, 'the work of the Blue Lodge is concerned primarily with the transitory personality, the temporary instrument of the soul'.
In contrast, the Royal Arch degree delves deeper into the spiritual journey of the Mason. It is often seen as a completion of the Craft degrees, providing further elucidation on themes and narratives introduced earlier. The Royal Arch teaches about the rediscovery of lost secrets and the genuine Word, which is described as the Name of God. This degree is said to offer a more profound understanding of the divine and the nature of existence, as it 'passes beyond the substituted secrets and learns the genuine Word which has so long and so unhappily been lost'.
Thus, while the Craft degrees lay the foundational principles of Masonic philosophy and ethics, the Royal Arch expands upon these teachings, guiding the Mason towards a higher spiritual attainment and a more profound connection with the divine.