Would not Brethren at District Convention derive more benefit from a recital of the work by the Grand Lecturer than from exemplification by the Brethren?

With regard to some parts of the Work, this might be a case. An important phase of Convention instruction, however, is the study of floor work and of the forms and ceremonies that go hand in hand with the ritual. So many things enter into exemplification that a mere recital of the wording could not possibly be adequate.

Instructions in the use of signs, steps , routes about the worm, etc., is just as essential as any other phase of the Work. Particularly so now the Grand Lodge has standardize our forms and ceremonies.

The suggestion has been made, too, but the Grand Lecturer make corrections when the Work has been finished. This is scarcely feasible, since there is a great danger of missing many errors.

The present system of correcting the Work as it proceeds is difficult for the officer rendering it, yet it is the most certain way of catching all errors that occur.

During the past four years the Grand Lecturer has stressed a short form of raising. when was such a form's adopted?

In the report of the Custodians of the Work to Grand Lodge, page 145 of the 1924 Proceedings, are two important Resolutions adopted by Grand Lodge. They read:

"The Committee recommends, therefore, that:

"(1) The Forms and Ceremonies of the Three Degrees of Masonry, as standardized by the Custodians, be adopted by the Grand Lodge.

"(2) An addition be made to the ritual, as proposed by the Custodians, standardizing the raising of candidates not covered by the present ritual."

It is this second Resolution to which I wish to attention, covering as it does the short form of to which the above question refers. Naturally it not be printed here, being a part of the Secret Work. The form itself, together with full instructions for use, has been taught time and again, both in Conventions and to the Assistant Grand Lecturer, and there is little excuse for incorrect use or inaccurate rendering in any Lodge.

The first Resolution, dealing with Standard Forms and Ceremonies, has reference to rules governing use of the sign of fidelity, floor or work, and so on. These too, are matters in which Brethren are fully instructed in Convention.

Dose Grand Lodge describe a short form for closing Lodge?

Yes, but it his I known names they sure it is then used by many Master's. In the exemplification of closing, the Grand Lecturer requires this portion of our ritual to be exemplified in the shortest manner sanctioned by Grand Lodge.

He may use either form, but if I were Master of Lodge I would use the short form sanctioned by Grand Lodge, thus avoiding repetition as well as saving time. It would be well for all, and particularly Masters of Lodges, to remember that in this short form the word "Degree" always follows the numeral "First" "Second" or "Third." It is alwaus "the First Degree," "the Second Degree," for the "Third Degree."

Who fixes dates and places for holding Conventions?

The Grand Lecturer conveys to the District Deputy Grand Masters the dates on which he will be in their respective Districts for the purpose of holding Conventions: the District Deputies then advise the Grand Treasurer as to where the Conventions will be held.

Where may I find a copy of the annual transactions of Grand Lodge?

The Master of each Lodge receives a copy of the Annual Proceedings as soon after Grand Lodge as it is printed. This volume is not the exclusive property of the Master. It is for the Brethren or the Lodge.

The foundation of a liberal Masonic education may be found within the cover of the Proceedings. The address of the Grand Master, and the reports of the Judicial Advocates and of the various Grand Lodge committees, are to be found here.

In some Lodges the Jewels of the Officers' emblems on the staves, and even the Square and Compasses on the Holy Bible upon the Alter, are wholly or in part gold in color. What is the ruling of this?

The color must be silver. The Book of Constitutions specifies the color of the jewels of a Lodge as follows: The Jewels of the Officers of Lodge shall be of silver or white metal; the color of their aprons shall be white, or white and blue, and with or without silver ornamentations except as otherwise especially ordered or allowed by the Grand Lodge."

Some Lodges, I may recall, present incoming or retiring Masters with an apron. This should be blue and white and silver in color. A blue of so deep a tone as be barely distinguishable from purple, and with gold ornamentations, is not the apron of a Worshipful Master.

May a Grand Lodge Officer be received in a Lodge open on the First or Second Degree?

Yes, but it would be better for the Master to change his Lodge back to the Third Degree so that any matter to be brought before the Lodge may be presented on that Degree.

It is a breach of Masonic etiquette to pass between the Master and the alter while Lodge is in session?

Yes. It should not be forgotten that the three Great Lights upon the altar and the Charter of the Lodge in the East are the special care of the Master. As the Holy Bible is our most precious asset, nothing must ever obscure his view of it. And as the Charter is legal authority by which the Lodge exists as such, no shadow caused by a passing Brother should be cast between them.

What is the correct position of the three tapers?

One taper at the northeast corner of the altar, one at the northwest corner and the other at the southeast corner. Should one be extinguished it should be immediately relighted, At no time should any taper be deliberately extinguished, as is done by some Lodges in the second section of the Third Degree.

Are ashlars an essential part of the Lodge furnishings?

They are an essential part. They should be placed on the dais in the East, the rough ashlar nearest the northeast corner of the Lodge and the finished ashlar nearest the southeast corner. The two ashlars symbolize one of the most beautiful teachings of the Craft. They represent the development of man's moral nature, from the rough, imperfect to the completed state. That which was without beauty has been made the perfect, finished stone. No wonder they are jewels of the Craft, for they represent the various objects of our every effort.

Does the Grand Lecturer possess authority to change the Ritual?

Emphatically no! Grand Lodge imparts the Standard Work to the Grand Lecturer through the committee known as "the Board of Custodians." Number 10, of the Rules or Order in the Book of Constitutions, says: the Grand Lecturer shall annually exemplify the work and lectures before this committee before entering upon his Conventions, and no charge shall be made the in the work as established by the Grand Lodge except on the report from such Committee and the favorable action of the Grand Lodge, then, is the source of the Ritual and has and has all authority concerning it . Section 36 of the Constitutions says that "every Lodge shall practice the standard work and lectures of the Three Degrees," which use the ritual as taught by the Grand Lecturer and the assistant Grand Lecturers at Conventions and Schools of Instruction.

May the Master of the Lodge assign portions of the ritualistic work to Brethren who are not Officers or Past Masters?

He may, taking care that the Brother to whom the work is assigned can give it as required by the Standard Work. Many Lodges do this to stimulate interest, and it is a commendable practice. The Master should remember that he is responsible for the correctness of the work.

Should the Bible be opened at a specified place for each of the Degrees?

Yes, the Bible is Open at the One Hundred Thirty-third Psalm for the First Degree, of the seventh and eighth verses the seventh chapter of Amos for the Second Degree, and the first seven verses of the twelfth chapter of Ecclesiastes for the Third Degree.

May Brethren, entering Lodge late or retiring early, salute the Senior Warden instead of the Worshipful Master?

Yes, and the Senior Warden must rise and return the salutation. The Worshipful Master may remained seated and acknowledge a salutation by a nod of his head if he chooses, it being his prerogative to remain seated. However, if he elects to return the salutation he must rise, as no sign should ever be given by any Mason when seated. If he be a Grand Lodge Officer, or another Worshipful Master, who is entering or retiring, the Master should always rise and return the salutation as a mark of respect.

Should Brethren enter or leave the Lodge by the Inner Door?

Emphatically no! I have seen Brethren do this even while candidates are being repaired. The Outer Door is the one to be used by Brethren of the Lodge. The inner door is for the candidates only: no Tiler stands immediately outside and no Junior Deacon guards it from within. Each Brother of the Lodge has the key that holds it closed or swings it wide for others, and the key is the ballot. The Worshipful Master should never permit and Brother to use the inner door for entering or leaving the Lodge.

What is the Standard Monitor?

A book published by Grand Lodge and containing the monitorial portions of the Ritual, together with the ceremonies of Installation of the Lodge Officers, Burial of the Dead, and the Prerogatives and Duties of the Worshipful Master. A Lodge in New York should use no Monitor other than the one prescribed for this Grand Jurisdiction. There are Lodges, unfortunately, that use other forms of monitors, some of which have traded on the fly-leaf, by the "Written for the use of the Grand Lodge of the United States." While in essentials the Grand Lodges of United States are alike, yet the work differs in certain ritualistic details. And besides, the book of Constitutions says, every Lodge shall practice the Standard Work and Lectures adopted by the Grand Lodge."

What is the distinction between "Monitorial Work" and "Secret Works?"

The ritual of the Freemasonry so is composed of two parts - the esoteric, or secret work, and the exoteric or monitorial work. The secret work is that portion which is not printed or written, and is alluded to in the First Degree. The monitorial work is printed and anyone may read it, and be the better for so doing. There is nothing secret about its contents.

Is a Lodge permitted to hold a public installation of its Officers?

On page 82, of the 1935 Proceedings of Grand Lodge, will be found four Resolutions adopted by Grand Lodge, the last reading as follows: "That the instillation of Officers of a Lodge shall be held at a regular or a special communication of the Lodge and behind tiled doors."

When are Public and Private Grand Honors to be given?

Please refer once more to page 82, of the 1935 Grand Lodge Proceedings - the same act of resolutions adopted by Grand Lodge. The first to read as follows: "That public and private Grand Honors be eliminated," and, "That Grand Honors be used only at Masonic ceremonies where the public is not in attendance." So now we no longer no Private Grand Honors, and Grand Honors with which we are all familiar are to be given on those occasions when only Masons are present.

What organizations are recognized by the Grand Lodge of the State of New York as Masonic?

If the reader will turn to page 46, of the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge for 1927, you will find there the following statement by M.·. W.·. Herald J. Richardson, then Grand Master:

"I have in mind organizations which work Degrees claimed to be Masonic in spirit and in fact. It is with regard to these that I want to say a word. The only organizations of this class which have been accorded that, at one time or another, general recognition or recognition by the Grand Lodge of New York, as entitled to approval and respect, are the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Mason's of the state of New York, the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters, the Grand Commandery a of Knights Templar, and the Ancient an Accepted Scottish Rite for the Northern Jurisdiction of the United States of America. I am speaking here only of organizations claiming authority to confer Degrees supplementing those of the Symbolic Lodge and predicating and admission upon the applicant's being a Master Mason in good standing as in a regular Symbolic Lodge. All other organizations of this kind, except those I have named, have never been thus approved, and the question is whether their functioning shall be countenanced or whether the time has not come to take a decided stand in the matter." The human memory is short. The above statement was made only a few years ago and yet many have forgotten it.

What is the proper regalia to be worn at Masonic Funerals?

This question bring a up the entire matter of a properly conducted Masonic funeral. Let us turn to page 33 of the Booklet on "Masonic Etiquette":

"At a Masonic funeral, including the procession to the cemetery and the rites of interment, the refreshments of Masonic etiquette are unusually strict. In the procession the same decorum should be observed as in the Lodge-room; no smoking, no laughter, no loud talking, and Brethren should neither join nor leave the lines without permission from the Worshipful Master.
The general directions for the proper observance of these ceremonies are to be found in the Standard Monitor; they are the code of etiquette proper to the occasion and should be strictly observed. The Worshipful Master, and other Brethren having parts assigned to him, should make sure in advance that they have the ceremonies well learned; for them to halt and stumble, or mumble their words, is painful to the bereaved, and sets the Craft in an unfavorable light before the public. Therefore, the service should not be read by the Chaplain or the Worshipful Master, but recited. Every Master should read the subject matter printed just before the funeral service in the Standard Monitor. This ceremony is of great importance; there is no need to elaborate on it, other than to emphasize one or two matters pertaining to the Apron. You will observe that the Monitor calls for a white apron, which means that officers' aprons and jewels are not to be worn at a Masonic funeral, nor is Grand Lodge regalia in order. This includes Present and Past Grand Lodge Officers, Present and Past Masters of Lodges, who are to be clothed in white gloves and aprons, the same as all Brethren. For this is not an occasion that calls for any parading of rank. We are engaged in the simple and dignified ceremony of burying our dead, and the white apron worm were own you simply a symbol of the equality of rank within the Craft. The white apron is the the badge of the Mason, and whatever we may have in the way of titles in the Craft are not to the paraded at such a time for the public eye. If the deceased being an Army or a Navy man the following rule is to be observed: the Apron is to be placed on top of the casket, and the Flag draped over both the casket and the Apron."

Let me emphasize one point rather more than is done in the booklet from which I have just quoted. I want to do this because we need this very thing in some communities - the apron is never to be tied on the body of the deceased. Undertakers need to be told this, and Brethren should see that the rule is heeded. The white apron is a symbol of life, of work, and as such never to be attached to that which is dead. It is placed on the casket, never on the body; under the Flag, never on the Flag.

Does the title "Worthy" ever appear in a symbolic Lodge when addressing the Master of a Lodge or a Grand Lodge Officer?

Those of us who possess any degree of modesty are not particularly concerned with the matter of title. There is, however, such as a thing as dignity, and there is such a thing as being right in this matter of addressing a Grand Lodge Officer, or the Master of a Lodge. I mean it's in the matter because we know some Brethren who readily bring into the Lodge the form of address learned elsewhere. Occasionally I hear the Master addressed as "Worthy Master," and have been called, on occasion to frequently, "Right Worthy." Let me state with every emphasis that we have no Masonic titles, "Worthy!" That title cannot be regarded as Masonic by the wildest stretch of the imagination. Let us keep our titles, and leave to others those that pertain to them.

How should a Lodge Room be draped at the death of a member?

The altar should be draped and a small band of black crepe be placed on the three gavels, the staves and Marshal's baton for a period of thirty days.

What two words never appeared in the ritualistic vocabulary of the Junior Deacon?

The words "there" and "now."

Should the Holy Bible be presented to a candidate in the First, the Second or the Third Degree?

It may be presented in which ever Degree the Worshipful Master desires. The Grand Lodge Monitor designates the most appropriate time for the presentation. But always present it OPEN, never closed. Never give a man a closed Bible.

Which is the only place where the word "specially" is used?

In the ritual of closing the Lodge the statement "unless specially convened" is used, the only time the word is used in the entire Ritual. Elsewhere the word "especially."

Where are the two columns, Boaz and Jachin, to be placed? And which is Boaz and which Jachin?

Boaz is the column having the globe showing the geographical divisions of the earth's surface.
Jachin shows the constellations or the signs of the zodiac. Boaz is on the left of the candidate as he enters and Jachin on the right. 'They belong at all tines at the Inner Door and far enough inside of the Lodge Room to permit the Senior Deacon and the candidate to stand between them and the Inner Door.

From what Lodge Officers is the pass-word never to be taken at the opening of Lodge?

The Worshipful Maser, the Senior Warden and the Junior Warden. It is not to be taken from elected Grand Lodge Officer nor a District Deputy Grand Master when seated in the East.

What is the difference between a "station" and a "place" in a Lodge?

Only there Officers occupy "Stations." They are the Master and the two Wardens. Every other
Brother in the Lodge occupies a "Place." Please observe the opening statement of the Master as it appears on the first page of the Standard Monitor. Care should be use in making this distinction.

Why a Ritual, and why so much care in the matter of its correct rendition?

Most people are inarticulate in one way or another. By this I mean that many of us find it difficult to express ourselves exactly as we would wish. This is not altogether a matter of formal training, for I have known men with a considerable scholastic background who have found it difficult to express themselves clearly and to the point. A precise manner of expressing certain truths makes it easy for all engaged in the work of character building in the course of offering a
(for that is precisely what we attempt when conferring a degree), to express certain ideas with accuracy. The man without an extensive education and whose occupation does not lead him to consider the exact shades of meaning in words, by use of the Ritual discovers himself as articulate as his brother more fortunate in the matter of formal training. That was William Preston's idea when he wrote the Middle Chamber Lecture.

Furthermore, the Ritual as a bit of spoken English is altogether lovely. It possesses an individuality all its own; if we were to enumerate those characteristics which are outstanding, we might say that the secret work is both incisive and rouged - incisive because it possesses those qualities which cause it to bite into the mind of those who listen; rugged because it has strength in its manner of expression.

We Masons have every reason to be proud of this Ritual. It is our heritage, and must be preserved for those who come after us.

Must a Lodge be opened to attend public warship on Go-to-Church Sunday or Go-to-Synagogue Friday, and are aprons to be worn on such an occasion?

A Lodge is not to be opened to attend Public Worship in a body and on such an occasion Masonic regalia is not to be worn. The brethren meet, either at the Lodge room or at the Church, walk in and take their places.

My Lodge expects to march in a public procession, either on Memorial Day or on the Fourth of July. May we wear aprons?

Absolutely no aprons or Masonic regalia of any kind are to be worn on such an occasion except by special dispensation of the Grand Master.

Let me say a word on that point. When we bury our dead, we are clothed as Masons. That is an emergent communication. (An emergent communication is proper, but not mandatory.) We emerge from the Lodge to do the task before us. But on other occasions, save those when there is labor to be performed such as the laying of a corner-stone, we are not clothed as Masons.

Are the Holy Bible, Square and Compasses to be carried at every Masonic Funeral?

When the Lodge is open for the purpose of conducting the Masonic funeral service the Three Great Lights are to be carried. Please refer to the Standard Monitor which says, "The Three Great Lights in Masonry, on a cushion covered with black cloth, borne by an aged Brother." If the Lodged is not open, then the Thee Great Lights do not appear.

In what order should the Senior Deacon light the tapers at the opening of Lodge and in what order are they to be extinguished?

The Senior Deacon (he only, never the Worshipful Master or any other officer) may light them in any order he chooses and he may extinguish them as he wishes so far as order is concerned. But if I were Senior Deacon, I would light them as I came to them in approaching the altar. That is, the taper at the north-east corner of the altar would be lighted first, the one at the north-west corner next and the one on the southeast corner last. Then I would extinguish in reverse order to the above.

On which side of the Bible are the square and compasses to be placed by this Senior Deacon at the opening of the Lodge?

They are to be placed on the portion of Scripture appointed for the Degree on which the Lodge is open.

In the opening and closing Lodge, do responses always occur when one officer is addressed by another?

Always there is a response except in one place. This statement by the Worshipful Master carries with it no response by the Senior Warden: "Brother Senior Warden, it is my order - - - - - - ." This is the only place where no response is made. Let me illustrate what I mean by the word "response."

"Brother Senior Deacon."
"Worshipful Master."

Here "Worshipful Master" would be the resource. There are comparatively few places in all the secret work where response do not occur. They serve the useful purpose of preserving the dignity of the work. The only exception to this rule is when the Worshipful Master changes in short from, thus waiving signs and ceremonies, no response are required.

Why is the word "duty" in the singular number in the opening and closing of Lodge?

Because it is the duty of the officers of the Lodge to attend to their several responsibilities.

In the opening and in the closing of Lodge, as well as in the Middle Chamber Lecturre, the word "duty" is always in the singular.

In the closing of Lodge, does the word "Amen" occur after the Chaplain's prayer? If no, where does it occur?

In the Standard Monitor appears the prayer appointed to be used at the closing of Lodge. Please observe that the word "Amen" is omitted after the prayer and occurs only after the Master's benediction.

Two whom is the Marshal of the Lodge response?

Directly to the Senior Deacon who is responsible for the accuracy of the floor work, and who is responsible to the Worshipful Master. Of course, he is responsible to the Master too, but through the Senior Deacon.

The place of the Marshal when seated is at the left of the Worshipful Master in the East. That is to say, on the left of the Master and opposite the Senior Deacon.

What is meant by the suppression untempered mortar?

Untempered mortar is mortar unfit for use because lacking in some particular in the matter of its preparation or in an ingredient. It has, therefore, no setting and binding qualities. It lacks strength. He who builds viii it will have a structure which is weak.

Masonically speaking, the term "untempered mortar," means those deeds and thoughts which weaken the moral structure. The expression therefore, those unwise acts of mind which daub and besmirch and soil the character of the Mason.

What is a cowan in what is an eaves-dropper?

The word cowan is of Scotch origin and used to denote one who built structures of stone, brick or tile, without the use of mortar. Such a structure lacked the strength of one held together by mortar. The cowan was, therefore, a would be Mason. In Symbolic Masonry we allude to him who is in the Lodge-room when he has no right to be there, as a cowan. His work lacks the strength of him who is trained. It is the work which he who labors attempts to pass off as good. In this connection the word is not a complimentary term.

observed along the side of many buildings, and caused by the dripping of water from the roof. The depression is called the "evesdrop," He who stations themselves between the sides of the building and the "eavesdrop" to hear what is going on within, when he has no right to know, is called an "eave-dropper."

These are two words used by the Junior Deacon in the statement of the duty of the Tiler.

Have we prescribed form for balloting upon a petition?

There is a prescribed form, which is exemplified by the Grand Lecturer in Conventions. It is scarcely proper to go fully into the matter of ballot here, but let me add a word or two in this connection.

Aside from the Holy Bible the ballot box may be considered as the most sacred thing in the
Brethren who approach to ballot upon a petition should do so with a mind free from prejudice or personal animosity.

The petitioner is not there to Speak for himself, hence it is the duty of each member to give him every consideration.

No Brother should approach the ballot box in the spirit personal spite were prejudiced.

By means of the ballot box material unfit for the Temple of Freemasonry is rejected. This brings to mind the word frequently used in the Lodge word "candidate." It comes from the Latin form "candidus," which means "glittering, white."

History informs us that in the days of ancient Rome he who ran for public office by election of the people wore a white togo to symbol that he sought that office with an unprejudiced mind open in the light of service to his fellow man. with the same thought we do the our Candidate in white ritualistic garb to symbolize the fad that they knock at the Inner Door with minds open for Masonic Light. Thee apron worn by the Brethren who by their favorable ballots elected him to membership are white, to symbolize the fact that they balloted with minds free from personal spite and prejudice. And by the same token the ballots which elected him were white.

What is the Lodge system of Masonic education?

Full information concerning this may be obtained by writing to the Board of General Activities, which has a complete system of instruction for candidates during the time they are receiving the three Degrees.

Do you believe that it would encourage attendance on the part of the Brethren for the Worshipful Master to stars his Lodge promptly at the time provided in the bylaws?

This is a question I am asked many, many times during the year. And the reply is, "Emphatically, yes!" Many times do I hear complaints on the part of Brethren because the Worshipful Master does not open Lodge at the hour specified in the By-Laws.

Every Lodge Officer owes to his Lodge the duty of being punctual. To wait about in a listless manner for a Lodge to be opened one-half hour late is discouraging. I believe that punctuality in this matter is a great asset for a Worshipful Master. So by all means start you Communications on time.

Is the explanation of the penalty for each Degree mandatory?

This bit of Work was adopted by Grand Lodge in 1932 and each Lodge is required to give it in each Degree. It is, therefore, mandatory.

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