Book excerpt: The York Rite (sometimes referred to as the American Rite) is one of several Rites of Freemasonry. A Rite is a series of progressive degrees that are conferred by various Masonic organizations or bodies, each of which operates under the control of its own central authority. The York Rite specifically is a collection of separate Masonic Bodies and associated Degrees that would otherwise operate independently. The three primary bodies in the York Rite are the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, Council of Royal & Select Masters or Council of Cryptic Masons, and the Commandery of Knights Templar, each of which are governed independently, but are all considered to be a part of the York Rite. Royal Arch Masonry is the first part of the York Rite system of the Masonic degrees. Royal Arch Masons meet as a Chapter, and the Royal Arch Chapter confers four degrees: Mark Master Mason, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason. This 1962 revised edition of A Handbook of Royal Arch Masonry: A Guide for Chapter Officers includes a detailed section on the ritual prescribed by The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of Wisconsin, and revised by their Ritual Committees (1959-1962), for Constituent Chapters working towards one of the four degrees.