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 #5,” which is found on p. 11 of the Lessons on Capitular Masonry.

Outline of the Lesson:

(i) Read the excerpt of the Mark Master ritual regarding “The Keystone” beginning at the top of p. 22 and ending in the middle of p. 23 of THE RITUAL.

(ii) Notice that the verse Revelation 2:17 found in THE BIBLE is a source for the excerpt from THE RITUAL read in part (i).

(iii) Read the section on the “Finding the Stone Which Was Lost” found on pp. 35-37 of THE COURSE.

Discussion Questions:

(i) Answer questions 19-20 on pp. 48-49 of THE COURSE.

(ii) Discuss at least three symbolic meanings of the stone in Masonry in general; and in this degree, in particular. What are two possible meanings of “the stone that was rejected?”

(iii) In English Freemasonry, the Mark Degree is still conferred under the jurisdiction of Mark Lodges. Discuss reasons why this Degree should have been a part of Craft Masonry. In what ways is it helpful to the candidate’s understanding of his journey through the Lodge Degrees? Discuss reasons why every Craft Mason should be a Mark Mason?

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