Also known as The Brotherhood of David and Jonathan, the O.S.M. is believed to have originally started in the Netherlands about 1778 as a lodge for traders or merchants. In 1877 the ritual was extended to contain three degrees namely those of Secret Monitor, Prince and Supreme Ruler and the assemblies became known as Conclaves. The Grand Conclave of the Order was constituted in New Zealand on 14th August 1982 and now controls some thirty six conclaves which generally meet quarterly.

The basis of the order is to be found in the Volume of the Sacred Law, 1 Samuel, at chapters 20 and 21 and revolves around the friendship and loyalty of David and Jonathan to one another. Hence comes the name often bestowed as "the order of friendship". The person in the chair of each conclave is called Supreme Ruler and is referred to as Worthy Brother.

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