As a bit of background recall that, in 2016, the Committee on Education of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Oklahoma developed thirty-five Lessons on Capitular Masonry, in an effort to foster more opportunities for educational presentations during Chapter meetings. Each of these thirty-five lessons outlines a self-contained educational presentation. The material for these lessons is drawn from two readily available sources:

THE COURSE — The Capitular Masonry Education Course, which was published in 2014 by the Grand Chapter R.A.M. of Oklahoma.

THE RITUAL — The Ritual of the Grand Chapter R.A.M. of Oklahoma, as adopted in 1932, with subsequent amendments.

Every other month we will suggest one of these lessons that a High Priest may use, if he so desires, as an educational presentation in his Chapter meeting.

This month’s suggested lesson for Chapter meetings is “Mark Master Lesson #1,” which is found on p. 8 of the Lessons on Capitular Masonry.

Outline of the Lesson:

(i) Exemplify the excerpt of the Mark Master ritual regarding the “Inspection by the Overseers,” including the introduction by the Senior Deacon, beginning near the top of p. 7 and ending at the top of p. 9 of THE RITUAL.

(ii) Read the sections on “The Rule of Three,” “The Overseers,” “Good Work, True Work, Square Work,” “The Mark,” and “Rejection of the Stone” found on pp. 25-29 of THE COURSE.

Discussion Questions:

(i) Answer questions 2-7 on pp. 46-47 of THE COURSE.

(ii) Discuss the symbolism behind the craftsman abandoning his own work in favor of presenting someone else’s work for inspection by the overseers. Give contemporary examples of human endeavor that parallels this lesson.

(iii) Discuss the meaning of the mark in operative masonry. What does the mark mean to the Speculative Mason? Why can there be no duplication of marks within each Chapter? In your opinion, can there be any duplication of marks in Masonry? Explain your reasoning.

These questions are only meant to begin the discussion and to hopefully spark further discussion and interest in the chosen topic.