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In the United States there are four such appendant Rites in addition to Ancient Craft Freemasonry.
The Cryptic Rite is organized in the form of a General Grand Council, a Grand Council for each
of the larger number of states, and local councils. The Capitular Rite, which is better known as
the Royal Arch, is organized in the form of a General Grand Chapter, a Grand Chapter for each of
the larger number of states, and local chapters. Knight Templarism is organized in the form of a
Grand Encampment for the nation, a Grand Commandery for each of the larger number of states, and
local commanderies. The Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite has a system of four local bodies which
are under the general government of two Supreme Councils. One of these, called the Southern
jurisdiction, has in it the states west of the Mississippi River and south of the Ohio River.
The other, called the Northern jurisdiction, has in it the states east of the Mississippi
and north of the Ohio.
Thus, that which is sometimes called the American System of Freemasonry consists of five Rites, each of which is separately organized, enacts its own laws, has its own officers, and its own treasuries. A man may join one of these other four Rites, or all of them together, but to do so he must be, and continue to be, a member in good standing of an Ancient Craft lodge, and in each instance must pay the fees and dues of another Rite after he has been elected to its membership, in addition to his lodge dues. Alongside the five Rites which comprise Freemasonry properly so called are a number of Side Orders, each of which also is independently organized. Among them are such as the Order of the Eastern Star, the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, the Grotto, etc.
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