THE MASTER'S BOOK

by Carl H. Claudy

Chapter 1

PREPARING TO BE MASTER

The greatest honor comes to any brother with his elevation to the Oriental Chair

of a Masonic Lodge. Few Wardens but look forward with mingled pleasure and

anxiety to that day when in their hands will be placed the gavel of authority. He

who early prepares to be a Master in more than name only arrives in the seat of

authority with some confidence. The wise Warden does not wait until elected

Master to become familiar with the official books of his jurisdiction; the

Proceedings of his Grand Lodge; the book of Masonic law--it has many names,

such as Code, Methodical Digest, Ahiman Rezon, Constitution and By-laws, etc.;

the manual in which is printed all that may lawfully be put in type of the ritual

and Ceremonies of the degrees, and most especially the by-laws of his own

Lodge.

PROCEEDINGS

A Master is not only leader of his Lodge, but a member of Grand Lodge, in

which august body he represents his Lodge. Familiarity with the Grand Lodge

procedure, questions pending, legislation enacted, etc., gives him a perspective

and enables him to act with intelligence and understanding. In the Proceedings

of most (not all) Grand Lodges is the report of the Committee on Foreign

Correspondence, under which apparently misleading title an official reviewer

summarizes the activities of other Grand Lodges. The Master who realizes that

he is not only an important cog in his own Masonic machine, but an integral part

of a world-wide Freemasonry, early grasps the real importance and

responsibilities of his position. Study of the Proceedings gives a perspective on

the activities of Grand Lodge, with special reference to its charity, whether

exercised in Masonic Home, Orphanage, Hospital, Foundation, outside relief or

other form.

BOOK OF MASONIC LAW

To be Master of a Lodge is quite different from being president of a club or

society. The Master is called upon to decide questions of law and practice which

he cannot leave to his brethren; the honor of leadership carries also the

responsibility. That his decisions be wise and just, and of such a character as will

draw commendation, not condemnation, from Grand Master or District Deputy,