As a bit of background recall that, in 2018, the Committee on Education of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Oklahoma developed twenty-four Lessons on Cryptic Masonry, in an effort to foster more opportunities for educational presentations during Council meetings. Each of these twenty-four lessons outlines a self-contained educational presentation. The material for these lessons is drawn from two readily available sources:

THE COURSE — The Cryptic Masonry Education Course, which was published in 2017 by the General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons, International.

THE RITUAL — The Ritual of the Grand Council C.M. of Oklahoma, as adopted in 1954, with subsequent amendments.

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

This month’s suggested lesson for Council meetings is “Select Master Lesson #6,” which is found on p. 19 of the Lessons on Cryptic Masonry.

Outline of the Lesson:

(i) Read the section on “The Stone of Foundation” found on pp. 63-65 of THE COURSE.

Discussion Questions:

(i) Answer questions 6, 9, and 11 on pp. 72-73 of THE COURSE.

(ii) Discuss question 5 on p. 54 of THE COURSE.

(iii) In many respects, the Stone of Foundation as discussed in THE COURSE reveals why the Select Master degree represents the last degree of Ancient Craft Masonry. Since there are many more degrees in Masonry, discuss why this can be said to be true.

(iv) What is the difference between the Ark of the Covenant and the Substitute Ark? Why did King Solomon cause a substitute to be made?

(v) Discuss the allegorical difference between the first temple and the second temple in the degrees of the York Rite.

(vi) What makes the Stone of Foundation such a revered symbol of Deity?

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