At some point in the 1750s, although there are those who claim An earlier date, but this is not supported by solid evidence.

The words come from the Book of Hosea, chapter 2, verse 1. It is doubtful that anyone can give an authoritative answer about why they were chosen for use in the Royal Arch. Our suggestion, somehow tentative, is that words are intended to remind us of our duty to God.

This was done in a somewhat artificial way through the wording in the Articles of the Union, now incorporated as a Preliminary Declaration of the Book of Constitutions, which establishes that "ancient and pure Freemasonry consists of three degrees and no more, namely, the Initiated Apprentice, the Companion, and the Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch."

The source of the legend used in England can be found in a fourth-century document that describes the descent of a worker. The information given in this document is very similar to the narration of the descent from the Main Overstant to the vault. The worker found a book as good as new; he gave a sign to his companions to raise it to the surface.

What was found when the captives returned to Jerusalem was of a more universal nature than the one that had been lost. The exiles had rediscovered the truth that Jehovah was the ONLY God of Israel; but they also discovered the religious doctrine that Jehovah was the God of ALL nations.

There is a Hebrew word TAV that means 'a mark or sign'; and it comes from the root TAVAT which means “mark or outline”.

The triple tau probably entered Arco Real in the first decade of the 19th century. Its origin, with regard to the Royal Arch, is the letter T on the Letter H, which means Templum Hierosolymae, the Temple of Jerusalem.

Candidates for a Chapter of the Holy Royal Arch of Jerusen must have been Master Mason for four weeks or more to apply for admission.