Order of the Secret Monitor

The first reference to the Order of the Secret Monitor is known to have originated in Holland in or about 1778 but became popular in America as part of the Allied Masonic Degrees. In 1875 the Order was introduced to England from America by Dr. I Zacharie. At this time it consisted of only one degree. In 1887 a Grand Council was formed in England and a further two degrees were added.

The Order was introduced to New Zealand after officers of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force were inducted into Zacharie Conclave No. 9 in London in 1919. On their return to New Zealand these Brethren obtained a warrant to form Aotearoa Conclave No.44 under the English Constitution.

The Order was administered from England until 1982 when the first New Zealand Grand Council, subsequently changed to Grand Conclave, was formed. At the time of the new Grand Council was formed, all but two Conclaves changed their allegiance to New Zealand.

Membership is open to those who have taken the Master Masons degree. The individual assemblies are called Conclaves and are ruled by a Supreme Ruler, who as in other Orders of Freemasonry is elected and installed annually.

The Order has three degrees:

The First or “Secret Monitor” degree
or ceremony of “induction”

This is the story of the friendship which existed between David and Jonathan, based upon the Book of Samuel in the VSL. During the ceremony the candidate is instructed in a certain course of action to be adopted when a Brother is about to do anything which might prove injurious to himself and it teaches a beautiful lesson in friendship and fidelity.

The Second or “Princes” degree
or ceremony of “admission”

The Admission ceremony is also derived from the Book of Samuel and tells how Saul sought the life of David. It further relates an interesting legend of the methods contrived to thwart the efforts of the jealous King.

The Third degree
or Installation of the Supreme Ruler

This deals with the ceremony of installation of the Supreme Ruler.

The Order of the Scarlet Cord

To qualify for this Degree candidates must already hold the Princes Degree and be Master Masons.

In some Conclaves the Ladies are invited to attend all meetings where some form of entertainment is provided for them, and participate in refectory proceedings.