The Allied Masonic Degrees is an invitational organization, and requires
membership in the Royal Arch as well as the Symbolic Lodge. Membership is
limited to 27 members per council.

Be it remembered that on August 5, 1933, this Grand Council took as its
date of formation January 14, 1892, since this date was the beginning of the
Allied Masonic Degrees in America with the formation of the Sovereign
College of Allied Masonic and Christian Degrees at Richmond, Virginia, that
on April 16, 1932, the subsequent establishment of a Grand Council of Allied
Masonic Degrees of the United States of America occurred in Salisbury, North
Carolina, and that the union of the two bodies was drawn up and entered into
July 18, 1933, and was ratified by the North Carolina Grand Council August
5, 1933 and was ratified by the Sovereign College at Norway, Maine August
24, 1933, and became effective as of September 7, 1933.

The Allied Masonic Degrees are detached degrees some of which, many years
ago, were conferred under Craft warrants and formed part of the then loosely
governed Freemasonry of the period.

Many of these detached degrees became dormant in some places, although in
others they were conferred as side degrees. In time, the better of these
degrees were grouped together in an organized body under the title of Allied
Masonic Degrees. The degrees comprising the system in our Jurisdiction in
the U.S.A. are the Royal Ark Mariner, Secret Monitor, Knight of
Constantinople, Saint Lawrence the Martyr, Architect, Superintendent, Grand
Tilers of Solomon, Master of Tyre, Excellent Master, Installed Sovereign
Master, Installed Commander Noah, Red Branch of Eri and Ye Ancient Order of
Corks. They are conferred in the United States in Councils chartered by the
Grand Council. Each Council is limited to twenty seven members, with two
exceptions. One of these Councils is known as the Council of the Nine Muses
and is limited to nine members. The other is Grand Masters Council, which
has what is known as a roving charter. The purpose of the latter Council is
to provide a place of membership in the Allied Masonic Degrees for brethren
residing in localities where Councils have not been organized. Membership in
every Council of Allied Masonic Degrees is by invitation, and is predicated
on membership in the Royal Arch Chapter.

In addition to perpetuating these degrees, there is still another and
equally important purpose. It is to bring together, in small groups,
Freemasons who are interested in the advancement of all Masonry, preparing
themselves to better serve the Craft through the medium of study
and research. By limiting the membership in a Council and
securing membership only by invitation, the result is a congenial group able
to enjoy full fellowship when meeting together. Wherever there is an active
Council of Allied Masonic Degrees, it exerts an influence for the betterment
of Freemasonry in all the Masonic Bodies.

There is no intention on the part of the Allied Masonic Degrees to
detract from any organized and established body of Masonry. On the contrary,
you will find our members active, beyond the average, in all local Masonic
bodies. The real purpose is to stimulate interest in Masonry in general and
bring together in small groups those who are interested in the study of
Masonic subjects. Thus they are better enabled to serve the Craft.

*Note
The above was quoted from "Centennial History of The Allied Masonic Degrees of
the United States of America 1892" - 1992 by William G Peacher, M.D,, M.A.
P.S.G.M., K.G.C. Published by The Grand Council of the Allied Masonic
Degrees of the United States of America ppg40.and ppg 35