“The Order of the Secret Monitor, or Brotherhood of David and Jonathan, is probably the most caring of all Masonic Orders”. Caring is described later. The Order is of Dutch origin and was discovered in the last quarter of the 19^th. Century in the Amsterdam Archives by Masonic scholars. At the time, Holland was traditionally a Lutheran Presbyterian community. It e

njoyed its freedom of religion, and to participate in Freemasonry. A union of two dynastic marriages created a strong Austrian and Spanish influence. Both countries being predomin-ately Roman Catholic, and of religious intolerance. Inevitably this led to the formation of secret societies. This eventually led to their settling in the new world.

In 1658, namely in the area of Rhode Island, where they were able to bring and develop, this new Order. It was later picked up by English traveller’s, who were returning home. The Grand Conclave of the Order of Secret Monitor or Brotherhood of David and Jonathan for the British Isles and Territories Overseas was formed in 1887. The early years of the Order in Great Britain were somewhat complicated, as the Grand Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees was also empowered to confer the Degree, but in 1931, C.W. Napier Clavering who headed both the Allied Masonic Degrees and this Order, arranged the agreement whereby the AMD gave up all rights to the degree.

The Grand Conclave of the Order of the Secret Monitor for Canada became autonomous and was inaugurated on March 26^th1997.

In August 2011, the Grand Conclave adopted a motion recognising the Ancient and Masonic Order of the Scarlet Cord in the British Isles.

On August 2015, the Grand Conclave adopted a motion that we

seek and Accord with the Grand Senatus, Scarlet Cord in England, that would allow our Grand Conclave to establish the Order in Canada. An information package was then distributed to the members in attendance.

On November 12, 2015 a deputation attended the Grand Conclave O.S.M in London U.K. to meet with Senior Grand O.S.M. officers, and presented a written petition that requested our receiving authority to establish the Scarlet Cord in Canada. The reception was warm, cordial, and promising. In mid December, an email was received to say the petition had received favourable consideration and in due time, the proper documents would be received. On the eighth of February, 2016 a Charter, dated January 5, 2016 was received.

On August 14, 2016, following the closing of the Grand Conclave, the Maple Leaf Consistory T.I. (for Time Immemorial) was opened by the Grand Supreme Ruler, M. Wy. Bro. Edward R. Wilson, with 8 members of the Order, who were received into the Consistory. 20 new applications were received, with all the candidates obtaining Grades I – III.  The G.S.R. and another member received the ceremony of Preparation as President of a Consistory and the GSR was installed as the first President of Maple Leaf Consistory T.I.

The Order of the Scarlet Cord of Canada, is an Independent Order, appendant Order to the Secret Monitor. Our Charter permitted the Grand Supreme Ruler to open Consistories within our jurisdiction. As we are a Canada wide organization, the Order will grow from the Grand Conclave. First, members will come as Princes of their respective Conclaves. At present, Grand Conclave is the main location where Grade I is conferred. When new members attached to a Conclave are sufficient (7, or more) they may apply for a petition to form a Consistory. When there are sufficient Consistories, the Grand Supreme Ruler can petition the Grand Senatus in the British Isles.to consecrate a Grand Senatus in Canada, the officers in Grand Conclave having similar Grand Office rank in   the Grand Senatus, the governing body.