Order of the Secret Monitor
This Order in Freemasonry is based on the friendship of David and Jonathan. The land of Canaan, or Palestine as it is known today, is a tract of hill country with a narrow coastal belt, on the Eastern Mediterranean. When the children of Israel returned to Canaan from Egypt (circa 1320 BC) they found the country parcelled out into petty kingdoms, whose people regarded the Israelites as interlopers. There was perpetual warfare between rival tribes for over 200 years, but the Israelites, who were ruled by Judges, ultimately had possession of a block of territory from Dan to Beersheba.
From this period on, we have the kingdom of Saul, and then ultimately David, the son of lesse the
Bethlehemite. David distinguished himself not only as a warrior, but as a musician. His encounter with Goliath is known to all of us. His success, however, made Saul jealous, and with the help of Jonathan, David was saved from the treachery of Saul. The shooting of arrows is part of this story, as well as the various refuges occupied by David. Jonathan visited David in these refuges, and renewed the covenant between them. Jonathan was killed in a disastrous battle against the Philistines near Mount Gilboa (1018 BC). Saul committed suicide, and David was finally accepted as king by the people of Judah.
Bethlehemite. David distinguished himself not only as a warrior, but as a musician. His encounter with Goliath is known to all of us. His success, however, made Saul jealous, and with the help of Jonathan, David was saved from the treachery of Saul. The shooting of arrows is part of this story, as well as the various refuges occupied by David. Jonathan visited David in these refuges, and renewed the covenant between them. Jonathan was killed in a disastrous battle against the Philistines near Mount Gilboa (1018 BC). Saul committed suicide, and David was finally accepted as king by the people of Judah.
From this step, Grand Council of the Order was formed with Bro Zacharie as the Grand Supreme Ruler, which office he filled from 1887 to 1894. Model by-laws were discussed and adopted, and Bro W 1 Spratling was appointed Grand Recorder, which office he held from 1887 to 1927. The University of London Conclave No 2 was founded in late 1887, and this was soon followed by other Conclaves.
As an item of interest, those members of the Allied Masonic Degrees who possess an old bar of the jewels for each degree, may find that it also includes the jewel of the Order of the Secret Monitor. Another interesting "side" degree associated with the Order is that of the Order of the Scarlet Cord and the Trading Degree. These are truly "side" degrees, and of interest to the masonic historian.
For Induction, candidates need only to be Master Masons in good standing, and Brethren interested should get in touch with the Secretary of their nearest Conclave, whose address should be found in their Provincial Year Book, or on other pages of this web site.
(The above is based on an article by the late R Wy Bro Prof I D Morton, Past Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler for the Province of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Hertfordshire)
