Right Worshipful Master
Of the three principal officers of a Masonic Lodge, the ‘Right Worshipful Master’ is the most senior. The Right Worshipful Master (often simply ‘Master’) sits in the East of the lodge room, and directs all of the business of his lodge. He also presides over ritual and ceremonies.
There are a few titles used in relation to the position of Master of a Lodge:
- Right Worshipful Master – the presiding officer of the Lodge
- Past Master – any member who has previously served as Right Worshipful Master of the Lodge
- Immediate Past Master – the Past Master who served directly before the present incumbent
- Installed Master – generic term for all Masons who currently serve or have ever served as Right Worshipful Master of a Lodge
- Worshipful Master – alternative name for the Right Worshipful Master in other constitutions
- Depute Master – a deputy to the Right Worshipful Master
- Serving or Reigning Master – colloquial term for the current Right Worshipful Master of a Lodge
- Board of Installed Masters – an assembly restricted to masons who are Installed Masters
- Master – an abbreviated form of the title ‘Right Worshipful Master’
The office of Right Worshipful Master is the highest honour to which a Lodge may appoint any of its members. The office is filled by election. However, in many lodges the progression is such that the post will almost always be filled by the previous year’s Senior Warden.
Worshipful Senior Warden
The ‘Worshipful Senior Warden’ is the second of the three principal officers of a lodge. He may act for the Right Worshipful Master (in his absence) in all matters of lodge business and is the Master’s principal deputy. In many lodges it is presumed that the Worshipful Senior Warden will become the next Right Worshipful Master. The symbol of the Worshipful Senior Warden is the level, a stonemason’s tool for measuring the accuracy of horizontal alignment.
Worshipful Junior Warden
The third of the ‘principal officers’ is the ‘Worsipful Junior Warden’. In some jurisdictions the Worshipful Junior Warden has a particular responsibility for ensuring that visiting Masons are in possession of the necessary credentials. In others, this is the job of the Tyler. The Worshipful Junior Warden is charged with the supervision of the Lodge while it is in recess for meals or other social purposes (meaning that he is in charge of planning and organizing the Lodge’s social events). His symbol is a plumb-rule, a stonemason’s tool for measuring the accuracy of vertical alignment.
The Wardens are ‘regular officers’ of the Lodge, meaning that the positions must be filled.
Secretary
Although any member may hold the office of ‘Secretary’, it is almost universal practice for an experienced Past Master to hold this position. (One notable exception to this norm was the appointment of Rudyard Kipling as Secretary of Lodge of Hope and Perseverance No 782 (English jurisdiction) at Lahore, Punjab, India in 1886: Kipling was just 20 years old, and had only just been admitted as a Freemason; indeed, he recorded the minutes of his own initiation.
It is also common for the same member to hold the office of Secretary for a number of years, for the sake of continuity; although again, there is no rule to this effect, and annual re-election/appointment is necessary in all jurisdictions.
The Secretary’s office is sometimes said to be the real power base of a lodge. It is certainly true that the position is an influential one, and in those lodges which do not have an active general committee, the Secretary inevitably ends up making many key decisions in the life of the lodge.
The Secretary’s role includes issuing the ‘summons’ (a formal notice of an impending meeting, with time, date and agenda), recording meeting minutes, completing statistical returns to the Grand Lodge, and advising the Right Worshipful Master on matters of procedure. In many lodges it is also the Secretary who organises dinners and social functions, and determines (with consultation) the progression of officers within the lodge. The Secretary is almost always a key figure in the interviewing of potential new members of the lodge.
Treasurer
The role of the ‘Treasurer’ is to keep the accounts, collect annual dues from the members, pay bills, and forward annual dues to the Grand Lodge.
The annual presentation of accounts is an important measure of the lodge’s continuing viability, whilst the efficient collection of annual subscriptions is vitally important, as any lapse in payment (deliberate or unintentional) can lead to a member losing voting rights, being denied the opportunity to visit other lodges, and finally even being debarred or excluded from his own lodge.
Almoner
The ‘Almoner’ (sometimes called the ‘Caring Officer’) is responsible for the well-being of lodge members and their families. He remains in contact with members who are unwell, and also maintains a discreet presence in the lives of widows of former members, so that the lodge may readily assist them should they find themselves in any particular need.
Of necessity the Almoner must be well versed in local and national Masonic charities and the scope of their charitable work, so as to offer advice to those who might qualify for such assistance.
In some jurisdictions, these duties are handled by a committee (under various titles).
Chaplain
In the traditions of most Grand Lodges, every lodge has a ‘Chaplain’, although the practice is not universal.
Although traditions vary, the symbol of the Chaplain is a Bible on top of an irradiated triangle, and is depicted on badges of office and publications for Chaplains.
The principal role of the Chaplain is to lead prayer before and after the lodge meeting, and again before and after dinner. When a lodge has a member who is a clergyman or other minister of religion, he will very often serve as Chaplain; however, most Chaplains have no religious training whatsoever, as prayers are non-denominational.
Senior Deacon
A Deacon is an assistant officer in the lodge. In the traditions of most Grand Lodges each subordinate lodge has two Deacons, of whom the senior is usually styled ‘Senior Deacon’.
In most Masonic jurisdictions the Deacons are ‘regular officers’ of the Lodge. Although traditions vary the symbol of the Deacons is a dove, and is depicted on badges of office, and also in sculpted form on the top of the ceremonial wands commonly carried by Deacons. In the United States the Senior Deacon’s badge is a blazing sun set on a square and compasses.
The principal roles of the Senior Deacon are to conduct candidates around the Lodge during ceremonies, to introduce and accommodate visitors to lodge meetings, and to assist the Right Worshipful Master and to carry messages between the Master and the Worshipful Senior Warden.
Junior Deacon
The office of ‘Junior Deacon’ is similar in many respects to that of Senior Deacon (see above).
The badge of the Junior Deacon is the same as that of the Senior Deacon, namely a dove. In the United States, the Junior Deacon’s badge is a crescent moon set in the centre of the Square and Compasses.
The principal roles of the Junior Deacon are to assist the Worshipful Senior Warden and carry messages between the two Wardens. However, in some jurisdictions he is also responsible for guarding the inside of the main door of the lodge – in such jurisdictions there may be no office of Inner Guard.
Steward
‘Stewards’ are commonly appointed to fulfill a number of junior assistant roles. There is considerable variance, even within the same jurisdiction, as to the precise roles played by Stewards. Some of their common duties could include the following:
- Stewards are often tasked with an understudy role to fill the position of the Senior Deacon or Junior Deacons, in their absence.
- When a degree ceremony is performed, one or more Steward(s) may be required to assist the two Deacons is conducting the candidates around the temple.
- Stewards have a traditional role in many jurisdictions of serving wine during any meal served after the lodge meeting.
- In many small lodges (with no external caterer) in, and many in the United States, it is the Stewards who arrange the dining room, and organise the meal which follows many lodge meetings.
Some jurisdictions specify that each lodge has two Stewards, known as the ‘Senior Steward’ and ‘Junior Steward’. Other jurisdictions put no limit on the number of Stewards who may be appointed, and in this respect the office is unique. The Right Worshipful Master may appoint any number of Stewards, according to the size and requirements of his lodge.
Although newer members usually fill the office of Steward. In some lodges it is traditional for a Past Master to be appointed as to supervise the work of the Stewards.
Tyler
The ‘Tyler’ is sometimes known as the ‘Outer Guard’ of the lodge. His duty is to guard the door (from the outside), with a drawn sword, and ensure that only those who are duly qualified manage to gain entry to the temple. In some jurisdictions, he also prepares candidates for their admission.
The Tyler is sometimes a Past Master of the Lodge, while in other jurisdictions, the Tyler may be an employed brother from another lodge. This perpetuates the historical condition of lodges meeting in ale houses and employing the landlord as Tyler.
Inner Guard
The office of ‘Inner Guard’ is commonly assigned to a junior member, and provides an opportunity for him to observe ceremonies and display his own abilities.
The task of guarding the door is shared with the ‘Tyler’ (see above) who stands outside the door, armed with a drawn sword. The Inner Guard is on the inside of the door, and in some jurisdictions is armed with a poignard, or short dagger. In Scotland and Ireland, the Inner Guard wears a collar with the symbol of crossed swords attached.
In those jurisdictions which do not appoint an Inner Guard (and even in some that do), this duty is added to those of the Junior Deacon (see above). In Ireland, if the Inner Guard is not present for some reason, the Junior Warden will take on the role of Inner Guard, too.
Director of Ceremonies
This officer is responsible for the smooth flowing of ceremonial and ritual. He is responsible for prompting other officers who forget their lines. In some jurisdictions, he directs proceedings during the installation of a new Right Worshipful Master. He is also responsible for forming processions and introducing visitors, except in those jurisdictions which appoint a ‘Marshal’ for these latter purposes (see below).
Organist / Director of Music
The ‘Organist’ or ‘Director of Music’ provides musical accompaniment to lodge proceedings, although there is no set form. Many lodge rooms are equipped with a pipe organ or electronic organ, and in others, there is provision for a wider range of instruments. In other places the Director of Music operates recorded or digital music systems.