The Lodge Room
Freemasonry is called a Craft, partly because of its roots in medieval stonemasons’ practices and because it requires training given in the form of initiation ceremonies of those wanting to join. Within each Lodge, the members elect officers to run the activities of the Lodge. Office holders within a Lodge are entitled to wear symbols know as ‘jewels’ that are based on the tools used by medieval stonemasons.
The Lodge room, sometimes referred to as ‘the temple’ and has a typical layout. This is where a lodge holds its regular meetings. If you start visiting other lodges you will find they vary as some premises are purpose-built, whilst others are converted or even shared with other functions.
The point of entry always is in the west and facing east.
The WM sits in the east, the SW in the west and the JW in the south. The secretary and treasurer are normally located on the north side
The other junior officers vary somewhat in location from lodge to lodge, but generally are in the positions shown on the picture above.
The lodge banner and warrant are displayed in the room at the south east although this often varies from Lodge to Lodge.
Types of Lodge Officers
Worshipful Master
The qualification required to be eligible for election to master is that the brother should have served for a full year as a senior warden or junior warden in a regular lodge.
The master is effectively the chief executive of the company. Nothing much can happen at a lodge meeting until the master starts the proceedings and the members would be in for a marathon session if the master didn’t close them!
In between the opening and closing of the lodge, depending on the business to be transacted, the master will call upon various officers to carry out particular duties, although many will be carried out by the master himself.
In many lodges there is what may be described as ‘a ladder system’ with each officer progressing one step up the ladder at the annual installation meeting. Even in lodges employing the ‘ladder system’ it is not always strictly observed and would not normally apply to such offices as lodge secretary, DC, almoner and charity steward as these are offices that benefit from a period of continuity and are not therefore regarded as progressive.
Although the appointment of all officers, other than those elected, is as previously stated in the gift of the WM, a wise master will adhere to established sensible practice in order to maintain harmony within his lodge.
It is not compulsory for members to advance through the offices, but under normal circumstances, a member should not accept the office of warden unless he is prepared to advance to the master’s chair.
The jewel appended to the master’s collar is the square; a master’s collar may on occasion be adorned with a commemorative jewel indicating that the members of his lodge have played their part in establishing a fund, which was placed at the disposal of the Royal College of Surgeons. No other jewel or badge is permitted to be attached to any collar.
Immediate Past Master
After his year as master of the lodge a Mason becomes the immediate past master (IPM).
Strictly the IPM is not an officer of the lodge, but his position is an important one, as it is his responsibility to sit beside the master, both in the lodge and the festive board (meal after the meeting), and give him support and guidance when needed.
Senior Warden
The senior warden (SW) sits opposite and facing the master in the west, whilst the junior warden sits at about 45 degrees to the master’s left in the south. They have important roles to play, assisting the WM in the running of the lodge.
Serving as a warden also provides them with the opportunity to prove to the membership that their ability and commitment makes them suitable candidates for advancement.
The wardens have different but complementary roles in the lodge and assist the Master to open and close the Lodge, and conduct the rituals.
In the normal course of events this year’s SW will usually be elected as next year’s WM.
The jewel appended to the senior warden’s collar is the level.
Junior Warden
The junior warden (JW) sits at about 45 degrees to the master’s left in the south, while the senior warden sits opposite and facing the master in the west.
They have important roles to play, assisting the WM in the running of the lodge.
Serving as a warden also provides them with the opportunity to prove to the membership that their ability and commitment makes them suitable candidates for advancement.
The wardens have different but complementary roles in the lodge and assist the master to open and close the lodge, and conduct the rituals.
In the normal course of events this year’s junior warden will usually be elected as next year’s senior warden.
The jewel appended to the junior warden’s collar is the plumb rule.
Junior & Senior Deacons
They need to have knowledge of, and the confidence to carry out the perambulations, for if the candidate were to find himself in the wrong part of the lodge room at the wrong time, it would detract from the ceremony. As far as the ceremony is concerned, a lodge with two efficient deacons will rarely go wrong.
The jewel appended to the deacons’ collars is a dove and olive branch.
The deacons look after and guide the candidates during ceremonies. Their duties need to be carried out with care and dignity. The enjoyment and understanding of a candidate can be greatly enhanced by the sympathetic attitude of the deacons, and by the efficiency of their working. They have one of the most interesting and delightful roles, which involves both learning ritual and floor-work. They also carry a wand as a badge of office.
Steward
The stewards, who are normally the newer members, are the officers who arguably have one of the most important duties of the lodge, which is to look after the visitors and the inner needs of their own brethren.
Carrying out these duties provides the steward with the opportunity to meet and talk with many members of the lodge and, in turn, allows the brethren to get to know the newer members. The work of the stewards takes place outside the lodge room, where a different set of traditions are enacted, although these are by custom and practice, rather than by dictate.
The jewel appended to the steward’s collar is a cornucopia (also known as the horn of plenty) between the legs of a pair of compasses extended.
Director of Ceremonies
As in public life when ceremonial is required, such as a State Funeral or Royal Wedding, the important events call for meticulous planning, rehearsal and organising for the requirements of the occasion.
The DC’s role is to make certain that ceremonies are efficiently conducted with dignity and decorum and that all concerned are aware in advance of what they have to do.
The DC is responsible for the ceremonial of the lodge and the smooth running of the meeting. He should ensure that all articles necessary for a meeting are laid out correctly, and will arrange processions in and out of the lodge room.
He also attends to matters of protocol, such as the correct way to receive important visitors and give salutations to grand officers.
He will of necessity be positioned in a prominent place in the lodge, so that he can closely observe that all procedures and rituals are being carried out correctly, and can quickly intervene to assist should the need arise.
He is also responsible for the manner in which the after meeting is conducted in the dining room, ensuring that protocols are adhered to, but allowing the brethren to enjoy themselves within the bounds of propriety.
The jewel appended to the DC’s collar is two rods in saltire, tied by a ribbon.
Assistant Director of Ceremonies
The ADC will usually sit adjacent to the DC.
The jewel appended to the ADC’s collar is two rods in saltire surmounted by a bar bearing the word ‘assistant’.
Chaplain
Many lodges that have no members of the clergy amongst their number, appoint one of their senior Masons to the office of chaplain.
The office of chaplain is not surprisingly, a devotional one. He offers the prayers of the lodge, but need not be a man of the cloth.
He is usually positioned close to and to the left hand side of the master and is quite often a very experienced Mason. He should be happy to be approached by the less experienced members for advice and instruction.
The jewel appended to the chaplain’s collar is the Volume of the Sacred Law on a triangle, surmounting a glory (sunburst).
Almoner
Lodge funds can be allocated to the almoner for specific purposes, such as the distribution of Christmas cards and gifts to widows.
Each almoner has his own method of working, but typically an almoner arranges visits to those in hospital, organises practical help for members when they or their families are in difficulties, or simply visits members who find themselves unable to attend meetings.
The almoner also makes regular visits to the lodge widows.
The almoner provides an individual brother with a very important link to various sources of assistance. With the help of the almoner, brethren can receive assistance in times of poverty or distress and this facility is of course provided in total confidence.
Like the charity steward, the almoner does not have a reserved place in the lodge room.
The jewel appended to the almoner’s collar is a scrip-purse, upon which is a heart.
Treasurer
He also submits an annual statement of accounts for auditing and circulation to the members of the lodge, and provides the financial control over the lodge income and expenditure.
Some lodges have a particular desk and chair reserved for him, but this depends on availability and space.
The treasurer is responsible for the finances of the lodge. Annually he produces a financial summary report, which is submitted to the auditors, who are elected from within the lodge membership.
It is the responsibility of each member to pay his subscriptions, together with any dining charges to the treasurer promptly.
The treasurer settles any debts incurred by the lodge, such as the lodge rent for the building where meetings are held, the various levies imposed by Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodge, and dining expenditure.
A treasurer requires sound judgment, for ultimately, it is on his recommendation that the level of subscriptions for members is set.
The jewel appended to the treasurer’s collar is a key.
Secretary
He is expected to have a sound knowledge of the regulations of the Craft, as he may be consulted by the master on points of procedure.
There is a secretary’s table provided, but its position will vary from lodge to lodge.
The jewel appended to the secretary’s collar is two pens in saltire, tied by a ribbon (saltire in heraldry means a diagonal cross e.g. Scottish Flag).
The Secretary has hands-on daily administration of all matters connected with the smooth running of the lodge. He is effectively the conduit between Grand Lodge, Provincial Grand Lodge and your lodge. He receives the mail addressed to the lodge, and submits the returns detailing the membership, ceremonies conducted, and matters associated with the day-to-day affairs of the lodge.
Normally a secretary holds the post for a number of years, providing continuity and experience for successive masters. It is the secretary’s duty to organise the summons, and distribute them. Should you have any problems or queries with regard to Freemasonry an experienced secretary should be able to advise.
Annually the secretary receives copies of the Provincial Year Book. He holds these publications on behalf of the lodge and they can be used by any member of the lodge.
Assistant Secretary
Occasionally he may be given interesting tasks, but more often than not, especially if the secretary has many years service, his assistant is under-utilised.
With an ever increasing volume of email traffic, allowing quicker and more cost effective communication, it should be recognised that some lodge secretaries of long standing may not be able to communicate in this way. This in itself does not represent a problem, as it is possible to retain the great experience such secretaries bring to the office, by recommending the assistant secretary acts as a mailbox for the secretary.
The jewel appended to the assistant secretary’s collar is two pens in saltire, (saltire in heraldry means a diagonal cross e.g. Scottish Flag) surmounted by a bar bearing the word assistant.
Charity Steward
His prime responsibility is to raise monies for Freemasons charities, however, he can often be found making appeals on behalf of local and non-Masonic charities.
He collects donations, explains the advantages of gift aid forms, standing orders etc. He disseminates information about the various charities and their work, as this ensures all members appreciate the use to which their donations are put and also encourages them to be as generous as their personal circumstances permit.
He does not have a particular place reserved for him in the lodge room.
The jewel appended to the charity steward’s collar is a trowel.
Inner Guard
It is one of the first steps in the progression to the master’s chair and the requirement for the new member to work on the floor of the lodge will provide him with a greater appreciation of the ceremonies carried out in the lodge room. The inner guard will be found just inside the door of the lodge room.
The jewel appended to the inner guard’s collar is two swords in saltire.
Tyler
The qualification for election to tyler is that of being a master Mason. As previously stated, the tyler assists the inner guard in ensuring only persons entitled to be present are present and additionally, looks after brethren prior to them entering the lodge.
In some lodges, the office of tyler is on the ladder of progression. There is however, a school of thought that believes the tyler should be an office occupied after being IPM, as an experienced Mason is better able to guide and assist the inner guard and ensure visitors are suitably qualified.
The tyler is positioned just outside the door of the lodge room and can often communicate with the inner guard through a wicket fitted into the door.
The jewel appended to the tyler’s collar is a sword.
Organist
In many lodges, although not all, singing is an important part of the evening which the members greatly enjoy. Because we can’t all sing in tune, the organist is often called upon to rescue the moment!
The jewel appended to the organist’s collar is a lyre.