In each degree, a stone plays a giant part. In the Mark Master, you present a stone piece you found by accident. This emphasizes honesty and integrity, without explaining why THIS stone was just found in the quarry. Are we to assume this is divine intervention to teach us our own worth?
In the Past Master Degree, one is received upon the mallet and reminded of its important functions. This lesson is taught in the E.A. degree and echoed here. During this degree, one would do well to remove all the ugliness that we as humans add to the ashlar on the journey from our “rude and imperfect state, as is found in nature” to the “state of perfection we desire to achieve”.
The Most Excellent Master Degree uses the stone in the Mark Master for its original and intended purpose. This ceremony literally completes the temple and finishes our work. Becoming “completed” is the goal of Freemasonry.
The same stone plays an important role in the Royal Arch Degree. It symbolizes a promise and encouragement, but more is not proper to be written. As the original stone in the Mark comes full circle, so is our capitular year coming to an end. It has been a high point of my masonic career to have served our Chapter. I look forward greatly to what may come down the road in more service to the Grand Royal Arch Chapter. Thank you for your trust in me, Lubbock.