In considering those qualities of mind that fit a man to be Master of a Masonic Lodge, one involuntary thanks, not only of the Worshipful Master, but of the two Wardens as well. One thinks indeed, of the Wardens in terms of the Master, and asks, What kind of Mister will that Warden be? What qualities has he that fit him for the responsibility ahead? What is he doing to qualify? How is he developing himself?

We have every right to expect a man to develop as he advances, and in this the man himself plays a tremendous part. What is the measure of this future Master? Will he display an energetic interest in the performance of his work? Has he judgment and tact?

All these questions suggest themselves in the contemplation of these three Officers. We cannot think of one without considering the other two, but let us force our attention upon the middle man, the Senior Warden - though of course we shall have to Speak of the Master and the Junior Warden, too. The three form a kind of triumvirate functioning together in such a manner as to set to the whole Lodge an example in harmony and coordination of effort. At any time the Senior Warden may be called upon to reside in the absence of the Master, while the Junior Warden may find himself in the East if both his superior Officers are absent. The qualities of one, therefore, may be said aptly to be the qualities of the other. Here I wish to dwell upon the things a Senior Warden must do to equip himself for the East as well as upon the things that have already been done by him to fit himself for the West.

It seems to me that the first fundamental is ritual. Of course since I am Grand Lecturer, that is precisely what you would expect me to say. But I say it because I know of no greater medium for a common understanding of Freemasonry. It is the language of Freemasonry, and he who would have an understanding of the Craft must first speak its language. All the way through the chairs the Senior Warden has been speaking this language, and by the time he reaches the station of Junior Warden, fresh from the experience of Senior Deacon, he ought to be familiar with the ritualistic work of every Officer of the Lodge. It is to be taken for granted, too, that he knows the details of the floor-work. He is well acquainted with the Lodge membership; his vision is broader, and he is now looking at the Craft, not with one little pair of eyes, but through the eyes of the entire Lodge. No man can be skilled in the work of the Senior Warden and be narrow in his judgment of the members of his Lodge.

But there is another fundamental of tremendous importance, one to which the Senior Warden must give his everlasting attention, and of which the Master must be a constant student. I allude to the Book of Constitutions. I mention this as the second of these great requisites, time and again I see exhibitions of inexcusable ignorance on the part of those whose duty it is to be
informed. Some kinds of ignorance maybe excused; other times are inexcusable. Never has there been a time in the history of Freemasonry, I believe, when ignorance of the Craft is so inexcusable as now, because more facilities are at hand than ever before to inform and instruct.

The constant study of the Book of Constitutions is as necessary for the two Wardens as for the Worshipful Master. When called upon to preside (say to confer a Degree) the capital Senior Warden must know how to handle an objection for a demand for the ballot, to name but one of many problems that may arise at any time. The more diligently the senior Warden applies himself to the study of the Constitutions, and familiarizes himself with our common law, the easier will be his task when he becomes Master.

This preparation must not be left as a kind of last-minute job. A man who worked in the same office with me once told me that he never prepared himself for a task ahead until it came his way. Maybe that is why he never advanced far!

One of the most delightful bits of reading for the interested Mason is the " Digest of Masonic Law." It is not, of course, to be recommended for restful vacation perusal, but is strongly urged upon officers, and especially the Master and Wardens, as a hand-book of great value. I knew a man who, while he was Master, read to his Lodge, a little at each communication, from the Book of Constitutions. He was thunder-struck at the interest displayed. Brethren are keenly interested, universally so. And they have confidence and respect for the Officer presiding in the East who knows what is proper from the legal standpoint. The foundation stone of knowledge is mighty comforting to one's feet, but one must place it there himself.

The third great fundamental requirement is an aptitude for the furthering of harmony in the Lodge. Grand Master in another Grand jurisdiction one said that the Lodge in which there is not harmony is un-Masonic. A Warden or a Master is better able to attain harmony if he is proficient in the first two requirements I have named.

I mentioned above the need of being acquainted with being acquainted with the membership. This is positively necessary to an understanding of men's minds, and how they work. We
designate this fundamental as understanding the individuality of his particular Lodge. Lodges differ, you see, one from one another, in their individuality, as do people - often have I remarked on the wide difference in the individuality of Masonic Districts in this State of New York. Here is an opportunity for study an interesting subject - just one of the may that come the way of the Senior Warden.

In his ritualistic work, both in the opening and in the closing of Lodge, the Senior Warden mentions the great importance of harmony. He states that it is the support of all institutions, and then brings in with special significance the part played by harmony in the affairs of the Lodge.
He must study, then, its exemplification, not only the Lodge but a broad in the world. It is his duty to do everything to promote harmony in his life as an example of this virtue to others.
Rarely do we meet a bit of English diction so utterly appropriate to the purpose for which it is designed as our ritual of Symbolic Masonry, and the delicacy with which this matter of harmony is brought into the picture as a charm all its own, and as important as it is beautiful.

In it this theme of harmony is woven as a motif on with all rest. And - the Senior Warden is the first Officer to mention it! This in itself should teach our good friend in the West that he is the exemplar of this particular virtue.

Now that we have reviewed certain fundamentals in which the Senior Warden must he trained, we arrive at a consideration of those broader the affairs of which these things are merely the foundation. I alluded to the executive and the administrative phases of the Warden's war which are so important in fitting himself for the station of Worshipful Master. The Mastership is a station of tremendous responsibility to be approached with hat in hand, metaphorically speaking. The master is responsible to Grand Lodge for his acts as Master, but if the Senior or the Junior Warden presides at any time the Master is still responsible for their acts. So we may readily see how thoroughly schooled the Wardens should be to preside in a way that will not embarrass the Master.

The Senior Warden, the second in command, is to be considered, therefore, as a future presiding Officer, not as one who merely stands in the West to rattle off a bit of ritual. He is the future Master, and must possess those qualities of mind and spirit that will make him deeply sensible of the seriousness of the task that some day may he his.

All I have said above is designed merely to pave the way to a new point of view of the Senior Warden's task. His is a task of deep importance. The development of the man, his outlook on life, the way he takes hold, Whether or not is enthusiasm is tempered with good judgment - all these and many more will determine whether he will make good.

Brother Senior Warden, look well to the West! I have tried to set forth some things that will be useful for you to know. Much you must discover for yourself. And in the enlarging of your vision you will find yourself a bigger man, spiritually and intellectually.

That is why you are in the West, why you have made a pilgrimage through the chairs of the Lodge - that might have the opportunity of "growing into" the East as Worshipful Master.

Brother Senior Warden look well to the West!

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