
This page will change and morph through time as we add more education material for the Council. If you have resources that you think should be added to this page, please let the webmaster know.
GRAND COUNCIL EDUCATION PROGRAM 2024-2025
Authored by V.I.C. Jacob W. Thompson and the Grand Council Education Committee.
Part I
Part I includes a discussion starter document for you to use to encourage discussion, offer suggestions for education topics, etc. The second program is a 4-part PowerPoint discussing the history of Cryptic Masonry, and the symbolism and lessons of our degrees.
- Part I(a) – Questions from the Crypt (PDF)
- Part I(b) – Into the Crypt – An Examination of the Council of Royal & Select Masters (PowerPoint)
Part II
- Part II(a) – Our First Grandmaster- Anthony O’Sullivan (PDF)
- Part II(b) – The Circle of Perfection (PDF)
Part III
- Part III(a) – Early Leaders of the Grand Council (PDF)
- Part III(b) – Early Origins of Cryptic Masonry in St. Louis & Hiram Council No. 1. (PDF)
Part IV
- Part IV(a) – Squaring the Super Excellent Circle (PDF)
- Part IV(b) – Royal Arch and Vault Traditions (Powerpoint)
Part V
- Part V(a) – The Foundation Stone: A Consideration (PDF)
- Part V(b) – General Grand Masters from Missouri (PDF)
Part VI
- Part VI(a) – Three times Three: A Comparison between Cryptic & Royal Arch Masonry (PDF)
- Part VI(b) – Adoniram: Who? (PDF)
Part VII
- Part VII(a) – Friend Zabud (PDF)
- Part VII(b) – Ahishar-Asleep on the Job (PDF)
Part VIII
- Part VIII(a) – The Cheribum (PDF)
- Part VIII(b) – What’s in an Apron: Traditional Aprons of the Council (PDF)
YORK RITE COMPANION ADEPT OF THE TEMPLE PROGRAM
The York Rite Companion Adept of the Temple program is an exciting by-mail self-study program through the Degrees and Orders of the York Rite of Freemasonry administered by the Sovereign York Rite College of North America. This program is offered to any Knight Templar by enrollment through the Sovereign College office. The program offers a series of exams focused on the ritualistic, philosophical, and esoteric teachings of the York Rite. The exams include a combination of multiple-choice, true-false, and essay questions pertaining to information presented in the Degrees and Orders of the Rite and/or in the resource materials which are recommended for purchase with the program.
There are five exams included in the curriculum, named as follows:
Exam I. The Degrees of the Capitular Rite
- Mark Master
- Past Master
Exam II. The Degrees of the Capitular Rite
- Most Excellent Master
- Royal Arch
- The WORDS in Masonry
Exam III. The Degrees of the Cryptic Rite
- The Council Degrees
- Royal Master Degree
- Select Master Degree
- The Secret Vault Tradition
Exam IV. The Orders of Chivalry
- The Commandery Orders
- Order of the Red Cross
- Order of Malta
- Order of the Temple
Exam V. The York Rite Traditions and Freemasonry
- The Essential Tracing Boards of the York Rite
Check out the York Rite Companion Adept of the Temple Program.
COUNCIL EDUCATION COURSE MATERIAL
DOWNLOADABLE BOOKS (PDF)
- The Story of Missouri Councils by Ray V. Denslow, 1949
- The Encyclopedia of Cryptic Masonry by Ray V. Denslow, 1950.pdf
- Builders of the Cryptic Rite in Missouri 1864-1959 by Ray V. Denslow, 1959
- Cryptic Masonry by Albert Mackey
- The Text Book of Cryptic Masonry by Jackson Chase
- The True Masonic chart or Hieroglyphic Monitor by Jeremy Cross