Of all the officers of their Lodge none have a finer opportunity to make his Lodge a place where the fine spirit of hospitality is exemplified then does those Senior Deacon, whom I often referred to as the "Top Sergeant of the Lodge." Perhaps this is why the emblem upon his staff and upon his apron is the blazing sun. To welcome and do the visiting Brethren! Through him his Lodge displays the crowning glory of the home - the spirit of hospitality! A place where Brotherly love abides, and where a kindly courtesy and consideration shine forth as the sun at meridian, the glory and beauty of the day. Courtesy extended not only to visitors, but to Candidates as well!

In the ceremony of installation the Masters of Ceremony are told that they "as proxy for the Senior Deacon are to see that candidates are duly and truly prepared." Consideration and courtesy should be two thing, sensed by every candidate, and in a measure the Senior Deacon is responsible for this because the Masters of Ceremony act for him. His influence as the head of the committee for welcoming should, therefore, be felt from the time a man first steps into the preparation room.

Again, most of w have been in Lodges were icicles to hang from the very chandeliers. One or two would, and greet the visitor. All seemed in different.

They didn't mean to make as you feel ill at ease; they simply had the bad habit of appearing inhospitable. And probably the Lodge was entirely unconscious of having this attitude.

The Senior Deacon has the opportunity to make his Lodge a shining place of welcome to the visitor, who, having come once, will want to come again.

Just run over the Senior Deacon's duty in your mind and observe that this matter of welcoming visiting Brethren comas before the attending of candidates. How splendidly can he serve his Lodge by thus exemplifying the true spirit of the Craft!

It would seem dear, then, that the Senior Deacon's first care is that of being hospitable. Now let us consider that part of his work having to do with the receiving and conducting of candidates. You remember how, having assured the Worshipful Muter as to the proper performance of their duty by the Masters of Ceremony, he receives the candidate. The first words the candidate hears in the Lodge are from the Senior Deacon. A quiet, distinct manner of expression, an effort to bring out the great lessons of the ritual at this point, will not only create a tremendous impression on the mind of the candidate, but also will bring home to his consciousness the great truths therein contained.

Our attitude toward candidates should be one of kindly consideration. Their treatment in the preparation room should bear out this thought. Begun in that place and continued in the lodge, we have every opportunity of welding our new members to the Craft with bonds that are lasting.

The Floor-work of the Degree is not difficult. The Senior Deacon should be thoroughly familiar with it. It is done under his direction. He has the assistance of a Marshal. The orderly conduct of the procession is important.

Excepting the Worshipful Master, the Senior Deacon has more of the ritual to render than any other Officer. He has dialogues during the conferring of a Degree with nearly every Officer in the Lodge. Of necessity, therefore, he should be as familiar with the work of his brother Officers as with his own, in order that the work may go smoothly. The Master and the Wardens unconsciously lean on a good Senior Deacon.

Let him forget, let him make a misstep, let him attempt to carry on with but a faulty knowledge of his work, and the entire Degree conferral falters.

Now let me say a word as to the manner of rendering the Senior Deacon's work. If there is one thing that will help the Officers of Lodges to make the work impressive, it is proper articulation. We mumble and jumble, until it is extremely difficult to understand what is being said. Clear speech is entirely a matter of habit. Get the habit, Brother Senior Deacon, so that all you say may be intelligible to every Brother present. Many times it is extremely difficult to know whether an Officer has said "open" or "opened," and many times entire words appear to be omitted. A Senior Deacon who rattles through his work with no expression fails to drive home the impressive lessons to be taught.

In the course of my Convention work I meet many Senior Deacons. No two are precisely alike. Each has his individual peculiarities. I remember a Lodge meeting I once attended where the Senior Deacon was dad in felt boots and overall. But what a man! He knew his ritual and the floor-work, he was dignified, calm, self-possessed. He bore out the truth of the statement that it is the internal and not the external qualifications that recommend a man to Masons. One forgot the manner of his dress in admiration of the man and Mason.

One of the best Senior Deacons I have ever met was a Brother of humble attainments, so far as educational advantages were concerned. His work had been taught to him by his Brethren - and entirely by word of mouth. His mind was like a strip of blotting paper - it fairly "soaked up" the ritual.

If he made an error one correction was all that was necessary on that particular point. He did not make the same mistake twice. Moreover, he required very little correcting. His work was almost perfect. Never shall I meet a man more anxious to be corrected, or more grateful for being told what was right.

We have all kinds - the proud, the humble; the careful, the careless, those who are heedless, some who are conceited. But - I have yet to meet one who willfully makes errors. All are
"Architects of Faith Working in these halls of Time!"

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