Masons progress through their study to various degrees

Masons progress through their study to various degrees. Once a mason has reached the 32nd degree he is considered a Master Mason. Masonry gos back to the masons who build buildings. Even to today masons will level a cornerstone as part of math building process.

There is an additional degree, the 33rd degree, also known as the Scottish Rite. Before going to the Philippines, dad took the Scottich Rite degree.

Disclaimer: I am not a Mason nor do I know most of what I am writing through any special authority.

The reason he took the Scottish Rite degree was to be more able to participate in Masonry in the Philippines.

During a field trip to Manila a thief ripped his masonic watch from his arm and ran. Dad went to he local police station to report the theft. There he met the chief and did the masonic recognition ritual to establish that two masons were meeting.

Dad described the theft, the thief and the watch. The chief had retrieved it and returned it before dad went back to the refinery.