For one thing all the YR degrees in my area are conferred and all the candidates go through them , not just one while the others set on the sidelines watching . And none are communicated , as in the SR . Though that is done for the reason of time constraints and number of candidates going through at one time . In my area the York Rite is not looking for dues/fees and huge numbers , this is why in my area we are not shoving petitions in the faces of new or old Master Masons . We make an announcement once every Fall that we will be putting on the degrees for anyone interested and leave it at that . No pressure , no trying to talk Brothers into joining . Some YR bodies do festivals though , much like the SR , wherethe candidates set on the sidelines but we do not because it takes away from the degrees . And when a MM is given the choice between YR fesitvals or the regular way , I would suggest going through the degrees individually . It may take months to go through them all , but it gives you time to think about and digest what you have seen and heard .
Because we keep our groups small , each member participates in each and every degree, really be a part of it . And without going into details of the degrees themselves , the degrees are very beautiful and the moral lessons they teach are very moving and the Chapter degrees finishes up the Master Mason degree. And like I stated before , by going through each degree indivdually you really have time to think about it and you will get that much more out of the next degree .
I'm not trying to take anything away from the SR . I found those degrees informative , much more after reading more than a few books afterwards concerning the SR . But it was to much to take in in two days , being hearded around like cattle while they set up for the next degree and set and listen while a degree is communicated then hearded back in to watch another degree . Because I went in the SR in honor of my Father-lIn-Law after his death , who always wanted me to join the SR , I was picked to go through the final degree "The Master Of The Royal Secret" and that was special . But it was much to impersonal to me , and I found it lacking . These are my own personal feelings , and does not reflect everyone else's .
