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 #2,” which is found on p. 15 of the Lessons on Cryptic Masonry.

Outline of the Lesson:

(i) Read the “Overview” of the Select Master degree found on p. 36 of THE COURSE.

(ii) Read the “Synopsis” of the Select Master degree found on pp. 55-57 of THE COURSE.

Discussion Questions:

(i) Answer questions 1, 2, 4, and 10 on pp. 72-73 of THE COURSE.

(ii) Discuss question 1 on p. 83 of THE COURSE.

(iii) There are several meanings which can be attached to secrecy in the various degrees of Freemasonry. Why is secrecy important? What was secret to the Select Masters who were working on the subterranean arches? With the number of books available to almost anyone with a curiosity about Masonic secrets, what secrets do you believe have never been revealed to the profane? Discuss the nature of secrecy as a virtue and a social force.

(iv) Discuss the difference between secrecy and silence.

(v) What does the East in the Select Master degree represent? Discuss why there is a veil separating the ninth arch from the inner sanctum. What does this veil represent? Name some veils that prevent us from making progress in life.

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