St. George Lodge
No.243 A.F. & A.M.
The Worshipful Master is the head of the Craft Lodge. He sits in the east area of the Lodge room, because the east is symbolic of the rising sun. It should be noted that the honorific Worshipful does not imply that the Master is worshiped. Rather, use of the word implies its original meaning, "to give respect", similar to calling a judge "Your Honor" or a mayor "Honorable".
The Worshipful Master is similar to the chairman, president, or other leader of an organization. He determines the actions of the Lodge and his word is the final say on any conflict or any issue that requires resolution. The Master is also responsible for providing instruction to Masons and for ensuring that the Lodge works as a whole. He is the person who confers degrees officially and presides over Lodge meetings.
The Master’s symbolic jewel of office is the right angle of the square. This is the tool that stonemasons use to ensure that an angle is correct. In modern Freemasonry, this jewel of office represents virtue and truth.
At the conclusion of his term of office, a Worshipful Master becomes known as an Immediate Past Master. The duties and privileges of Immediate Past Masters vary from Lodge to Lodge and jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
The symbolic jewel of a Past Master is the right angle of the square to which is appended the engraved diagram of the 47th Problem of the first book of Euclid.
The Senior Warden is the officer who helps the Master close and open the Lodge meetings. The Senior Warden sits in the west end of the Lodge, which is considered symbolic of the sunset. The Senior Warden is considered to be the vice president or second-in-command. Therefore, if the Master is not able to attend a Lodge meeting, the Senior Warden is allowed to conduct business, open the Lodge, and do everything necessary in order to head the meeting.
The symbolic jewel of office for the Senior Warden is the level. For Freemasons, this represents that all masons are equal.
The Junior Warden is third in command at a Lodge meeting and generally supervises the Masons during periods when the meeting is in recess. In some cases, he is allowed to open meetings when the Master and Senior Warden are unable to attend. The Junior Warden sits in the south end of the Lodge, because this is symbolic of midday, the traditional time of breaking for refreshment. In today’s Lodges, The Junior Warden is usually responsible for arranging refreshments or meals at a Lodge meeting, often with the steward’s help.
The symbolic jewel of office for the Junior Warden is the plum rule. This tool is traditionally used on vertical surfaces and therefore symbolizes "upright" conduct.
The Senior Deacon is the messenger for the Master. He sits to the right of the Master. During rituals, he guides new candidates around the Lodge room. When members are voted in, The Senior Deacon in many Lodges is also the person in charge of the ballot box.
The Senior Deacon carries a long rod. This is symbolic of the wand that the Roman god Mercury, also messenger, carried. The rod is topped by the jewels of his office, which is a dove bearing an olive branch in its beak.
The Junior Deacon is the messenger to the Senior Warden. The Junior Deacon usually sits to the right of the Senior Warden and communicates with the Tyler to ensure that no one interrupts the meeting unnecessarily during rituals. He may also guide new candidates around the Lodge room.
Like the Senior Deacon, the Junior Deacon carries a long rod. This is symbolic of the wand that the Roman god Mercury, also messenger, carried. The rod is topped by the jewels of his office, which is a dove bearing an olive branch in its beak
The Senior and Junior Stewards assist The Junior Warden with all his duties and also set up the Lodge room for meetings. They help new candidates who must prepare for their degree rituals. In some cases, they help prepare the refreshments or meals.
The stewards carry a long rod that is topped with the jewel of their office, which is the cornucopia. This symbolizes the food that the stewards are often responsible for.
The Inner Guard stands as counterpart to the Tyler within the door of the Lodge. He is the Doorman of the Lodge, guarding the door while the Lodge is in session
The symbolic jewel of office for the Inner Guard is the crossed swords.
The Tyler is sometimes known as the "Outer Guard" of the lodge. His duty is to guard the door (from the outside) with a drawn sword and ensure that only those who are duly qualified manage to gain entry. He, through acceptance of office, relinquishes participation in Lodge affairs, except that he may participate in balloting.
The Tyler is also the keeper of Lodge properties. He is to place Lodge regalia before meetings, with the aid of the Stewards. He must collect entries to the registry of members and visitors.
The symbolic jewel of office for the Tyler is the sword.
The title "Director of Ceremonies" is used in the United Grand Lodge of England and its subordinate Lodges, as well as in Canadian Rite Lodges. He escorts and welcomes new candidates and visitors into the Lodge. If a Lodge has a visitor, the Director of Ceremonies will usually introduce them to the Lodge. This officer is responsible for the smooth flowing of ceremony and ritual, and he may hold rehearsals for degrees and/or installations. He may be responsible for prompting other officers who forget their lines.
The Director of Ceremonies carries a small rod which is topped by the jewel of his office, which is the crossed rods.
As with any other organizations, someone must take care of the paperwork, manage the correspondence, and handle the "business" of the Lodge. The Secretary is also charged to observe and record all Lodge proceedings. Although any member may hold the office of Secretary, it is typically held by an experienced Past Master.
The symbolic jewel of office for the Secretary is the crossed quills
The Assistant Secretary assists the Secretary with his duties. If for any reason the Secretary is not able to perform his job the Assistant Secretary will fill in.
The symbolic jewel of office for the Assistant Secretary is the single quill
Fourth in line of Lodge Officers, the Treasurer is responsible for the proper management of the Lodge finances. In some Lodges, the Secretary and Treasurer offices are combined.
The symbolic jewel of office for the Treasurer is the crossed keys.
The Chaplains duty is to perform those prayerful duties delegated by the Master. Although Freemasonry is NOT a religion, Masons believe that a religious belief is important for a man. Most every religion is represented somewhere in the Masonic Fraternity. We have a Chaplain in our officer core because we open and close each meeting with a secular prayer. The Chaplain is in charge of that duty.
The symbolic jewel of office for the Chaplain is a book on a triangle.
The Historian archives documents and artifacts, and then publishes and updates the historical information.
The symbolic jewel of the Historian is the scroll surmounted by a quill.