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The Order of the Secret Monitor, or Brotherhood of David and Jonathan
The Order of the Secret Monitor, or Brotherhood of David and Jonathan
The roots of our rituals trace back several centuries, with the earliest known traditions of the Order pointing directly to Dutch origins. Historical records indicate that the Order of David and Jonathan crossed the Atlantic as early as 1658, introduced to the New World by Dutch settlers of Jewish descent who made their home in Newport, Rhode Island. For generations, the ceremony survived as an independent, loosely organized side degree within American Masonic circles.
The transformation of the ceremony into the formal Order we recognize today began when it crossed back across the Atlantic. Around 1875, Dr. Issachar Zachary, who had been admitted into the degree while residing in the United States, brought the ritual to Great Britain.
Recognizing the profound moral beauty and practical potential of the tradition, Dr. Zachary set about organizing its practice. He founded the Alfred Meadows Conclave No. 1 and spearheaded the establishment of a governing Grand Council in 1887. Under his leadership and that of his contemporaries, the original single degree was thoughtfully expanded and refined into the three-degree system worked today:
The First Degree (Secret Monitor): The ceremony of Induction, wherein the candidate is introduced to the foundational narrative of David and Jonathan and takes the binding covenant of mutual support.
The Second Degree (Prince): The ceremony of Admission, building further upon the Biblical history and elevating the Brother to the rank of Prince of the Order.
The Third Degree (Supreme Ruler): The ceremony of Installation, conferred exclusively upon an elected Prince who is called to assume the Chair and preside over a Conclave.
Celebrated throughout Masonry as demonstrative of true friendship, our ceremonies are deliberately conducted with warmth and genuine camaraderie. Our ritual shows the unshakeable, selfless loyalty between David and Jonathan, illustrating how true fidelity and mutual protection must operate in daily life.
The Order serves as a natural and profound extension of the Craft; where the three Craft degrees introduce the foundational virtue of Brotherly Love in theory, the Order of the Secret Monitor puts it directly into active, personal practice.
Unique among Masonic bodies, each Conclave appoints four Visiting Deacons. The membership of the Conclave is then divided into four distinct "charges," and each Visiting Deacon is personally responsible for maintaining regular contact with the Brethren in his care - ensuring no Brother ever feels forgotten or left behind.
The Order is open to all Master Masons in good standing, who are members of a regular Craft Constitution - no further qualifications necessary.
The Order is open to all Master Masons in good standing, who are members of a regular Craft Constitution - no further qualifications necessary.
One of the greatest joys of the Order is its vibrant culture of inter-Conclave visiting. Because our ritual places such heavy emphasis on open-hearted hospitality, meetings are exceptionally well supported across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, and far beyond. Brethren regularly travel between Conclaves across England, Wales, the Channel Islands, and overseas districts, knowing that an immediate, familial welcome awaits them wherever they travel.
Furthermore, joining the Order is accessible by design. Candidates require minimal regalia to begin - only a breast jewel is needed for the first two degrees - making it one of the most cost-effective and financially accessible companion orders in Freemasonry.
If you are a Master Mason in good standing seeking to advance your fraternal journey, enrich your understanding of Brotherly Love, and forge enduring friendships within a deeply supportive brotherhood, the Order of the Secret Monitor warmly invites you to take your next step.
We encourage you to speak with a member of your local Conclave or make direct contact with the Provincial Grand Secretary through this website to discover how you can be received into our ranks.
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