THE
MASTER
His Station is in the East, reached by
three steps. His seat represents the place once occupied by King Solomon.
The color of his station is 'White'
denoting Purity and Wisdom.
White reminds us of that Devine Wisdom
which can only be obtained through searching the revealed word of Him who is
without beginning of days, or ending of years.
His jewel is the Square of Virtue which
teaches us morality. It is angle of 90 degrees, or the fourth part of a circle.
His tools of authority are the Charter
(Warrant), Book of Constitutions, Gavel and the Hat. His position in the Lodge is similar to
the Minister in the church. He has always been charged to present religious
and intellectual teachings to the craft and must do so at every
communication. ( Wages )
He is the overall administrator of all
acts in and for the Lodge.
The Lodge at all times belongs to the
Master, and is to be at his Will and Pleasure. He can not be contested or
questioned; or placed on trial.
He answers only to the Grand Master/Grand
Lodge, and his conscience.
Whenever the Master enters an area, he is
to receive the acknowledgement of every Mason present.
It is his duty to deal fairly with every
infraction of Masonic Law in hi domain. This includes visitors and unaffiliated
Masons.
All who enter his domain should make their
presence known, offer their services and seek their wages. While a Masters power is extensive within
his Lodge, he does not have the right or power to issue an edict. That power is
reserved for the Grand Master, to invoke firm precepts applicable to every
Lodge, thereby maintaining similarity throughout the jurisdiction.
He is to maintain peace and harmony in his Lodge, and be a good example to the
craft.
He should establish a process of learning for his craft and demand that each
member participates. He should demand that his officers become
proficient, and he himself be proficient. A master who reads in the Lodge will
lose a degree of the effectiveness for which his office in known. He must be a moral and good man He must be
a law-abiding man. He must not be a conspirator or enemy of the government. He
must be temperate and meek he must be cautious, courteous, faithful and
self-governing. He must possess a love for genuine Masonry. He must respect his
Masonic superiors:
1. Deity through His Law
2. The Grand Lodge through it's charter
3. His own law (while be commands, he
obeys also)
He must be a zealous man.
He must be well versed in the Landmarks of
Masonry.
He must be a lover of old-time things.
(Written Laws of Old)
He must be zealous to honor.
He must communicate stately with the Grand
Lodge.
He must recognize no clandestine rival.
He must maintain the regularity of the
system.
His Duties Include (but not limited to):
- attending the communications of his
Lodge regularly
- to open his Lodge at a regular time, and
close at a suitable time
- to preserve order in his Lodge
- to regulate the admission of visitors
- to protect and preserve the charter /
transfer it to his successor
- to perform the ritualistic work of his
Lodge/drill and drama, and
should early commit to memory all that is to be communicated
- to cause investigation into all un-masonic
conduct
- to visit the sick and preside at
funerals
- to be a good example to his brothers,
maintaining peace and harmony within and without the Lodge