Masonic Lodge Officers

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This article relates to mainstream 'Craft Freemasonry', sometimes known in America as 'Blue Lodge Freemasonry'. Every Masonic Lodge appoints Masonic Lodge Officers to execute the necessary functions of the lodge's life and work. The precise list of such offices may vary between the jurisdictions of different Grand Lodges, although certain factors are common to all, and others are usual in most.

All of the lodges in a given nation, state, or region are united under the authority of a Grand Lodge sovereign to its own jurisdiction. Most of the lodge offices listed below are also offices in the Grand Lodge, but with the addition of the word 'Grand' somewhere in the title. For example, every lodge has a 'Junior Warden', whilst the Grand Lodge has a 'Grand Junior Warden' or 'Junior Grand Warden'. A very small number of offices may exist only at the Grand Lodge level - such offices are included at the end of this article.

There are few universal rules common to all Grand Lodge jurisdictions of Freemasonry (see Masonic Landmarks for accepted universal principles of regular Freemasonry). However, the structure of the progressive offices is very nearly universal. The first three officers of a Lodge are called 'principal officers' and the next three 'assistant (or junior) officers'. The precise role and placement of Stewards within the junior officers' hierarchy may vary, and certain jurisdictions do not appoint an Inner Guard (also known as an Inside Sentinel). The usual progression is to spend either one or two years in each position from whichever starting point one enters at, and eventually to become Worshipful Master.

Contents 1 The Elected Offices - common to all Masonic jurisdictions 1.1 Worshipful Master 1.2 Senior Warden 1.3 Junior Warden 1.4 Treasurer 1.5 Secretary 2 Appointed Officers - common to all Masonic jurisdictions 2.1 Senior Deacon 2.2 Junior Deacon 2.3 Steward 2.4 Tyler 3 Officers found in some jurisdictions and not in others 3.1 Inner Guard or Inside Sentinel 3.2 Chaplain 3.3 Director of Ceremonies / Ritualist 3.4 Marshal 3.5 Masters of Ceremony 3.6 Almoner 3.7 Organist / Director of Music 4 Additional (less common) Offices 4.1 Chancellor 4.2 Orator 4.3 Historian 4.4 Charity Steward 4.5 Poet Laureate 5 Offices generally found only at Grand Lodge level 5.1 Registrar 5.2 Superintendent of Works 5.3 Sword Bearer 5.4 Standard Bearer or Banner Bearer 6 Reference

[edit] The Elected Offices - common to all Masonic jurisdictions

These are the senior most officers of a Masonic Lodge and are elected by the brethren. Terms of office can vary between jurisdictions, but most elect new officers each year.

[edit] Worshipful Master

Of the three principal officers of a Masonic Lodge, the 'Worshipful Master' is the most senior. The 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:

• Worshipful Master - the presiding officer of the Lodge
• Past Master - any member who has previously served as Worshipful Master of the Lodge
• Immediate or Junior 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 Worshipful Master of a Lodge
• Right Worshipful Master - alternative name for the Worshipful Master in Scotland
• Deputy Master - in England and Wales a Royal Prince elected as Worshipful Master may appoint a Deputy to serve in his place
• Depute Master - in Scotland, an elected deputy to the Right Worshipful Master
• Serving or Reigning Master - colloquial term for the current 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 'Worshipful Master'

The office of Worshipful Master is the highest honour to which a lodge may appoint any of its members. The office is filled by election, generally by means of a secret ballot. However, in most lodges the progression is such that the post will almost always be filled by the previous year's Senior Warden.

The corresponding grand rank is Grand Master. The Grand Master presides over his Grand Lodge when it is in session, and also has certain rights in every lodge under his jurisdiction.

[edit] Senior Warden

The 'Senior Warden' (sometimes known as First Warden) is the second of the three principal officers of a lodge. He may act for the Worshipful Master (in his absence) in all matters of lodge business (though not formal ceremonial) and is the Master's principal deputy. The symbol of the Senior Warden is the level, a stonemason's tool for measuring the accuracy of horizontal alignment.

[edit] Junior Warden

The third of the 'principal officers' is the 'Junior Warden' (or Second Warden). In some jurisdictions the Junior Warden has a particular responsibility for ensuring that visiting Masons are in possesion of the necessary credentials. In others, this is the job of the Tyler. The Junior Warden is charged with the supervision of the Lodge while it is in recess for meals or other social purposes (meaning the 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.

[edit] 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.

In many jurisdictions the Treasurer is elected by the members, rather than being appointed by the Worshipful Master, as is common for other offices.

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.

[edit] Secretary

Although any member may hold the office of 'Secretary', it is almost universal practice for an experienced Past Master to be appointed. (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^[1].

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-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 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.

[edit] Appointed Officers - common to all Masonic jurisdictions

The following officers are appointed by the Worshipful Master each year. with the exception of the Tyler, they are usually considered part of the "progressive line".

[edit] 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', though 'First Deacon' is sometimes encountered as an alternative.

In most Masonic jurisdictions the Deacons are 'regular officers' of the Lodge. Although traditions vary, in the United Grand Lodge of England, and other national Grand Lodges descended from it, 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 Worshipful Master and to carry messages between the Master and the Senior Warden.

[edit] Junior Deacon

The office of 'Junior Deacon' is similar in many respects to that of Senior Deacon (see above).

In lodges under the United Grand Lodge of England 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 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 or Inside Sentinel.

[edit] 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 other junior officers, and may be asked to deputise for the Inner Guard or Junior Deacon, in his 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 rural lodges (with no external caterer) in England, 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 private 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. Under the United Grand Lodge of England the 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 (sometimes even Masons who have not yet received the Master Mason's degree), in some lodges it is traditional for a Past Master to be appointed as 'Senior Steward' to supervise the work of the other Stewards.

[edit] Tyler

Main article at Tyler (Masonic).

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 employed from outside. This perpetuates the historical condition of lodges meeting in ale houses and employing the landlord as Tyler.

In some jurisdictions, the tyler is an elected position.

[edit] Officers found in some jurisdictions and not in others

There are many officers that are found in some jurisdictions and not in others. Depending on the jurisdiction, some are "progressive" others are not. The more common ones include:

[edit] Inner Guard or Inside Sentinel

The office of 'Inner Guard' (or Inside Sentinel) is commonly assigned to a fairly 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 below) 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 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).

[edit] Chaplain

In the traditions of most Grand Lodges, every lodge has a 'Chaplain', although the practice is not universal.

Although traditions vary, in the United Grand Lodge of England and other national Grand Lodges descended from it, 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.

[edit] Director of Ceremonies / Ritualist

The title 'Director of Ceremonies' is used in the United Grand Lodge of England and its subordinate lodges, as well as in many other jurisdictions. However, other titles found in other jurisdictions include 'Master of Ceremonies', 'Lecturer', and 'Ritualist'.

Whatever the title, 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 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).

[edit] Marshal

The office of 'Marshal' is quite common in the United States, but not in other countries. In some jurisdictions where it is found, the title is simply an alternative for 'Director of Ceremonies' (see above).

However, there are jurisdictions in which the office is distinct from any other, in which cases the duties of the office revolve around the organisation of processions and ensuring the correct precedence and etiquette in formal proceedings, including the introduction of visitors to the lodge. This is distinct (in such jurisdictions) from the role of the Director of Ceremonies in supervising the ritual of the lodge's degree ceremonies.

[edit] Masters of Ceremony

The offices of 'Senior and Junior Masters of Ceremony' appear in some jurisdictions. Their primary duty is to prepare candidates prior to each of the three degrees. They also help conduct the candidates during the degree conferals.

[edit] Almoner

The 'Almoner' 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).

[edit] 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, such as at the Grand Lodge of Austria in Vienna.

[edit] Additional (less common) Offices

There are certain offices which exist only in particular lodges, or only in the lodges of a particular jurisdiction. As far as possible, the following list seeks to record all such offices that are either reasonably widespread, or else have been made notable by some other means, such as being held by famous people.

[edit] Chancellor

As a 'Chancellor' is not a common appointment in lodges. A universal definition of the office is hard to secure.

However, the similar office within the Grand Lodge is commonly encountered. The Grand Chancellor is usually responsible for external relations and formal interaction with the Grand Lodges of other jurisdictions. The United Grand Lodge of England changed its constitution in 2007 to allow for the appointment of a Grand Chancellor for the first time. In most other jurisdictions, the Grand Secretary fulfills these duties.

The 'Royal Somerset House and Inverness Lodge' No 4 in England is a rare example of a lodge that appoints a Chancellor as one of its officers. It appears that when the office was created in the nineteenth century it was intended to be similar to the role of Chaplain^[2]. However when revived in the early twentieth century, the role was more directed towards external relations. By the late twentieth century it appears that it had become customary for the office to be awarded to the longest serving member of the Lodge.

[edit] Orator

In some jurisdictions there is a strong tradition of Masonic research and education, and the presentation of papers by members is as common as degree ceremonies or other business. In such cases the 'Orator' may present papers, or be responsible for their presentation by others. The Orator may also be called upon to present a paper to celebrate milestones in the life of the lodge.

[edit] Historian

Most lodges have a senior member who holds a particular interest in the lodge's history. In some jurisdictions, this interest may lead to appointment to formal office as the lodge's 'Historian'. The office involves the archiving of documents and artefacts, and the publishing and updating of historical information.

[edit] Charity Steward

All lodges are charged with maintaining an appropriate level of charitable giving to good causes. In some jurisdictions the office of 'Charity Steward' exists. He is responsible for encouraging the members to give generously, as well as leading discussions about the appropriate recipients of the lodge's charitable donations.

[edit] Poet Laureate

This particular office is believed to be unique to one Scottish lodge, the 'Lodge Canongate Kilwinning' No 2. In 1787 the lodge appointed Robert Burns as 'Poet Laureate'^[3], an investiture later immortalised in a painting by Stewart Watson^[4], the original of which hangs in the Grand Lodge of Scotland building in Edinburgh. The painting incorporates a certain amount of artistic license, which may possibly extend to the presence of Burns himself, for although he was certainly a member of the Lodge, it is not clear that he was present at the meeting at which he was appointed Poet Laureate. Many years later (in 1905), the office of Poet Laureate in this lodge was awarded to Rudyard Kipling, who was made an honorary member for that purpose.

There is no known Grand equivalent to this office in any other jurisdiction.

[edit] Offices generally found only at Grand Lodge level

The offices in a Grand Lodge are generally derived from the corresponding offices in its subordinate lodges. However, there are certain offices that must necessarily be filled in Grand Lodges, but have no private lodge equivalent. These are outlined below.

[edit] Registrar

The 'Grand Registrar' is usually the principal legal officer of a Grand Lodge. The role is generally held by a qualified lawyer or judge. Private lodges do not generally require a legal officer, hence there is no private lodge equivalent. In some jurisdictions, there is no official title given to the holders of these duties.

[edit] Superintendent of Works

When this office exists, the 'Grand Superintendent of Works' is a Grand Lodge officer responsible for the Grand Lodge building, and as such, the office is usually awarded to a qualified architect or builder. Responsibility for individual Lodge buildings usually falls to a committee.

[edit] Sword Bearer

Many Grand Masters are preceded in formal processions by a ceremonial sword. In such cases a 'Grand Sword Bearer' is appointed to carry the sword. The person so appointed is often a serving or retired military officer. Worshipful Masters of private lodges do not have ceremonial swords, so there is no equivalent office in a private lodge.

[edit] Standard Bearer or Banner Bearer

Many Grand Masters or Grand Lodges have an official standard which is carried behind the Grand Master in formal processions. In such cases a 'Grand Standard Bearer' or 'Grand Banner Bearer' is appointed. Many private lodges also have banners, so that a corresponding office could theoretically exist in some jurisdictions, although no evidence has been found of such a post.

[edit] Reference