Many years ago a little boy trudged along by the aide of an old gentleman. The road was long and the day hot. From time to time the lad looked up at his grandfather with a kind of awe, wondering what secrets lay back of the thoughtful face. Only that morning the youngster had heard his father say something about Masonry, respectfully, as one speaks of sacred what had been said didn't matter - it was the tone of his father's voice that awakened the curiosity of the boy.

This "Masonry" business persisted in his mind. What was it all about? Maybe Grandfather would know - didn't he know everything? So one day -

"Grandpa, are you a Mason?"

"I am," replied the old gentleman.

"Can I be a Mason?"

"When you are a man you can try," was the reply.

"What is a Mason, grandfather?"

I have forgotten his reply. But I made up my mind then and there that I would "try."

Years passed, and in the fullness of time there came a day when I went to a cedar chest and took out a white lambskin apron, somewhat yellowed with age. I smoothed out the wrinkles and laid it on the casket of the man whom I revered, not only as my grandfather, hut as an upright man and Mason whose life had tremendously influenced mine. I never saw him wear a Masonic pin or badge of any kind - his Masonry was worn in his heart. He lived his Masonry every day, and few save his Brethren of Hiram Lodge, No. 105, knew him to be a Mason.

The respect for our institution which I receive from my grandfather was intensified by the circumstance of my initiation. I shall never forget the quiet, respectful atmosphere of the preparation room when the Masters of Ceremony, Will, George and Harry Fredenburgh, prepared the candidate Lewis W. Johnson was Worshipful Master, a commanding figure of a man who seemed to tower as he stood in the East. The story of that night might have been ruined by Will and Harry, but it wasn't, and I felt then a convection that has never left me, that the task of the Masters of Ceremony is of tremendous importance because first impressions are the strongest.

These two Officers are the first to receive a candidate. They must maintain an atmosphere of quiet dignity and respect. As in the case of other Officers, the emblem on their apron tells the story of their responsibility. Not only is the apron a badge of a Mason, but it becomes, by the emblem, the badge of the particular functions of these two Officers. The emblem is two crossed swords, as against the Tiler's - one sword placed vertically in the center. The appropriateness of the sword lies in the fact that it is the implement of one who guards.

I candidly believe that the great body of dormant Masons would be greatly lessened if more attention were paid to the proper preparation of their mind in the preparation room. And by "dormant Masons" I allude to those who indicate no interest in Masonry except by the payment of their dues.

What is most to be desired is a body of Masons so militant in their Masonry so that finally, through an activated Craft, Masonry becomes triumphant Masonry militant! A Craft keenly alive to its opportunities for service, making the world a little happier and a little brighter, bringing a smile to weary lips, and easing the burdened shoulders. For all this we may lay the foundation, in the preparation room.

Many times Brethren must be informed correctly as to the title of these two Officers. In Grand Lodge are "Grand Directors of Ceremonies," the word "ceremony" used here in the plural because these Grand Lodge Officers participate in more than one ceremony: they have a part in the tiling of Grand Lodge, they assist at the laying of corner-stones, at dedications, and at the instituting of Lodges. Their apron is adorned with the emblem of two crossed batons. In the Lodge the Masters of Ceremony originally participated in only one ceremony - the preparation of candidates. Their correct title, therefore, is "Masters of Ceremony," the word "ceremony" being retained in the singular form.

The crossed swords signify the care to be used in preserving the correct atmosphere of the preparation room. And since the swords appear as the emblem, perhaps we may infer that they are emblematic of the care to be exercised in a double preparation of the mind and of the body.

As I have so frequently stated to my Brethren in our Conventions, everything in our work has a reason. And now that we know "why" this particular badge of a Mason is used for these two proxies of the Senior Deacon, let us regard their work in their contact with candidates as worthy of the respect of all.

It would be welt if Masonic regarded the preparation room with the same respect that they hold for the space between the altar and the East.

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