We hear a great deal about the duty and prerogatives of the Worshipful Master, and of things that he can do "to activate the particular group of Brethren who compose his Lodge." Men often sigh, "If I were only young just for tonight," and thereby express rather aptly the state of mind of may who feel they have not taken advantage of all they opportunities presented during their lifetime.

We are living in the present, however, not in the past. What we do is for today and the future, and it is important that we turn our minds to some of those problems that a Warden must consider if he would be a "good Master," problems that the Maser must understand if he would possess those qualities of knowledge and leadership so essential to a successful Mastership.

Let us turn to the last pages of the "Standard Monitor" - to the Chapter entitled, "Prerogatives and the Worshipful Master." Here is the introduction:

"By the prerogatives of the Worshipful Master the inherent right and authority he possesses
by reason of the position he occupies, giving him as it does, extraordinary powers and privileges,
which belong to the presiding Officer of few other association. In all instances his decision on points of order is final in the Lodge for it is a settled principle of Masonic law that no appeal can be taken to the Lodge from the decision of the Master. The Grand Lodge, or the Grand Master alone, can overrule his decision on any point it of order."

"The prerogatives of the Worshipful Master are so numerous and varied that only some of the principal ones are here presented."

I wonder how many Mass and Wardens in this Grand Jurisdiction have read the above, how many have studied it. The statements there made represent an important stone in the foundation of Masonic knowledge and a careful perusal of his duties and prerogatives as given in this part of the Monitor is most essential to any man who is anxious to be a success in the East. Let me quote the third duty as herein given:

"To open his Lodge at the time specified in the By-laws, and dose it at a suitable hour."

I feel safe in asserting that a great deal of the failure of Brethren to attend Lodge may be ascribed to the lateness of the hour at which the Master calls his Lodge order - in spite of the fact that the By-laws of the say when Lodge shall be opened. To cause Brethren to stand about for half- or three quarters of an hour, waiting for Lodge to be opened' when there seems to be no apparent reason for tardiness, does not encourage men to attend. Most people have a pretty fair sense of time and punctuality, and they are irked by being forced wait for him who, through slackness, fails to observe the much needed factor of punctuality.

I like to consider the body of our Master as a vitally important part of the pedagogical department of Grand Lodge. This of course, consists of the Board of Custodians who are comparable to the Board of in Regents in the state government; the Grand Lecturer who may be likened to the Superintendent of Education; the Assist ant Grand Lecturers, whose duty it is to teach in their Districts, and who may be likened to District Superintendents, and the Worshipful Masters, who, to the eighth duty, are required.

"To render the ritualistic work of the Lodge and the Brethren therein."

The Master should be in fact Master of the Work, competent to render every part thereof and therefore may be compared to the Principals of School.

The Master alone is responsible to Grand Lodge for of his Lodge, and he must be competent to
instruct his Brethren therein. He must, of course, obtained his work from those in authority in teach it, and these are the Grand Lecturer and the Assistant Grand Lecturers. Frequent complaints come to me to the effect that certain Lodges do not conform to practice as set forth in the ritual. I recall one Brother to whom I wrote in substance that when a Worshipful Master is advised as to what comprises the Standard Work it is then his responsibility to see that it is properly performed in his Lodge. The annual District Convention in each District is provided for just this purpose. Each Master, each Warden, every Officer in fact, and all the Brethren who choose, should go to See exemplified the Standard Work and Lectures prescribed to be used.

In the seventh prerogative is given an interesting distinction between a "Notification" and a "Summons." Let me quote:

"The distinction between 'Notification' and a 'Summons' is so great that it is strange how many overlook it. The former issues, from the Worshipful Master or the Lodge, and is practically an Invitation. It is at the option of the Brethren receiving it to attend the meeting or not, as he pleased. But a 'Summons' comes directly under the province of his Order of Business, and for its neglect he may be disciplined and punished. To disobey a summons is a serious Masonic offense."

Take your mind thus to the work of the Second and Third Degree, particularly to that of the Second Degree, that you may observe how this matter of the summons is definitely emphasized. It is stressed purposely in order that a strong impression may be made on the mind of the candidate - and it should be equally emphatic to all of the Brethren.

The fine distinction between a Notification and a Summons is explained most dearly, and I believe that a Warden who fixes it in his mind is taking an important step in the direction of a clear understanding of his duties as Worshipful Master of his Lodge. Certain it is that the Master who has fortified himself with a knowledge of this fine distinction, and who is duly impressed with its importance, cannot fail to impress upon the minds of his Brethren their responsibility in connection with a Summons. Often in my Conventions, during that portion of the Second Degree where this matter is emphasized, I have stated that I wonder how many Masons realize their duty in connection with a Summons. Perhaps if more Brethren realized their duty in this connection the annual meetings to which they are summoned would be better attended.

Worshipful Master, this is something that will deserve your attention, that you may explain to your Brethren their duty.

I suggest, too, that the Master of the Lodge and the Secretary read the ninth duty. Let me quote:

"To exercise Supervision over the minutes, that nothing improper be recorded, and nothing essential to a complete record be omitted"

If the Secretary of some Lodges would realize that the duty of the Master to exercise Supervision over Secretary, rather than that the Secretary dominate Master, matters would run more smoothly.

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