History of the Order
The Order of the Secret Monitor, which developed from a still more ancient degree, is the
Brotherhood of David and Jonathan and is in its way older than Freemasonry itself. Its
principles and its watchwords being founded upon those grand examples set by two worthy
Hebrew Princes around 1000 years BC and as recorded in the Jewish history of the Bible.
This is a society framed upon the principles of mutual trust, watchful brotherly care, of
warning in time of danger; solace in time of sorrow; together with skilful and effective
friendly advice in every circumstance of life: A Society which meets a great and crying need
in human affairs and is calculated to benefit those who act upon its tenets.
If a Brother should be in sorrow the Conclave will afford him sympathy; if in danger his
Brethren will give him assistance; if in distress the Visiting Deacons will bring him
consolation, if in poverty, he will find aid.
Within Craft Freemasonry we are taught, at an early stage, that it has for its principles,
‘Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth’. In no Order in Freemasonry, other than that of the Order
of the Secret Monitor, can there be found a greater emphasis on those fundamental
Masonic Virtues, for the teaching of those principles is a dominant part of our Ceremony
and Ritual, and that emphasis assists in enabling us to put them into practice.
The Order consists of three degrees;
The first is the Secret Monitor and comes from the first Book of Samuel. The theme is
friendship and fidelity.
The second is the Princes degree. It tells the story of how a Brother was given refuge after
escaping death and again lays stress on friendship and fidelity.
The third degree is that of the Installation of the Conclave Supreme Ruler. What is unique, is
that in addition to the Installation there is a further ceremony, called ‘Commissioning’, which
gives rank and status throughout the entire Order.
The Order of the Secret Monitor in Norfolk is an extremely happy and friendly Order. Its
Conclaves are found in Dereham, Diss, King’s Lynn, Norwich, Wroxham, Wymondham and
Yarmouth.
Qualification for membership is solely that of being a Master Mason in good standing.
Attaining the Office of Supreme Ruler is purely on merit and can be reached without having
been through the chair of a Craft Lodge.
Structure of the Order
The Order of the Secret Monitor is very similar in structure to most Masonic orders, including the United Grand Lodge of England.
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The Order of the Secret Monitor are together with 9 other orders and there is one Grand Secretary and administration team to cover them all.
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Whilst the basic structure is similar for them all, there are some slight differences with the Order of the Secret Monitor.
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The Order covers the British Isles together with Districts and Conclaves overseas. In the British Isles we are grouped as and work in Provinces and Conclaves. The Order has a Grand Supreme Ruler, a Deputy Grand Supreme Ruler and an Assistant Grand Supreme Ruler.
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There are 34 Provinces, each controlled by a Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler, who in turn has a Deputy and a Provincial Grand Secretary, together with the usual offices which are needed to govern a Masonic area.
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The Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler is appointed under a Patent by, and serves at the pleasure of, the Grand Supreme Ruler.
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Conclaves hold our membership and in the British Isles are responsible to a Provincial structure and Provinces in turn, are responsible to the Grand Conclave in Mark Masons’ Hall.
Regalia of the Order
The regalia for the First Degree is a single jewel on a ribbon. As this is short term rank, the Jewel is normally loaned untilthe Princes Degree is taken.
At this point, you purchase the Princes Jewel and wear it permanently in all OSM meetings. Officers of the Conclave wear a sash, again of differing colour according to which ceremony is being worked.
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The Supreme Ruler wears a robe, a collarette, jewel and sash. The Director of Ceremonies and his Deputy will carry swords.
You don’t need anything else unless you are considered for promotion to Provincial Rank at which time you will need to buy a blue sash, edged with gold braid.
This will have your rank embroidered onto it, so if you get a promotion you would need to either change the sash or get a patch with your new rank and sew it into position over the rank originally showing. It is often possible to find a used sash in good condition at a reduced cost.
If your contribution to the Order is outstanding, it is possible you may receive Grand Rank, though this is exceptional, and the number of appointments is very limited. The Regalia is similar to Provincial regalia, except that the Sash is larger and it is red rather than blue.
First Degree jewel
Princes Degree jewel
Officer's sash