Public Service Announcements

PUBLIC SERVICE

 

To contact us call:

561-367-7724

Boca-Delray Lodge No. 171

FreE & AccepTed Masons

Making Good Men Better

 

 

 

 

TO CONTACT US:

 

4093 NW 4th Avenue

Boca Raton, Fl. ,33431

 

Phone: 561-367-7724

Fax: 954-449-0023

E-mail: sec171@boca-delray171.org

 

 Lodge Etiquette

by W. Bro. James A. Neal, PM

 

 

Masonic Etiquette

 

Learning Masonic Etiquette is a challenge for all Masons. The Ashman Rezon (Thirtieth Edition) provides some guidance in Section II, “Concerning the Behavior of Free Masons as Members of a Lodge” on pages 178 – 180 and Chapter XXVII, “Of Rules of Order in a Lodge” on pages 834-835. The following is intended to provide Acacia Lodge Brethren with a quick overview of Masonic Etiquette drawn from these sections of the Ahiman Rezon and Lodge tradition.

 

The Worshipful Master’s Authority:

 

A Masonic lodge is not a democracy. The Worshipful Master has the authority to:

· Rule any brother out of order on any subject at any time.

· Decide what can and cannot be discussed.

· Exclude any member guilty of indecorum from that communication.

· There is no appeal of a decision made by the Master except directly to the Grand Lodge.

 

Dress:

 

Brethren do not enter their Lodge room either without their apron nor while putting on their apron or even the tying of its strings. . As you visit other Lodges, you will notice that the dress code varies. Boca Delray Lodge No. 171 tends to be among the more traditional Lodges where it was once the code that everyone wore a coat and tie. This is still the standard at Boca Delray for members and guests, officers wear formal attire for all stated communications. Shorts, t-shirts, cut offs, etc., while not forbidden are not considered respectful to the Lodge. As a general rule, when visiting another Lodge it is always safe to wear a coat and tie. If you find wearing a coat while visiting a Lodge not in character with the dress of others, then taking it off is just a matter of timing.

 

After the Lodge is opened:

 

· Brethren do not pass between the Altar and the East when the lodge is open. As a courtesy to the Master, it is necessary that the Great Light which shines its eternal light and wisdom upon the Master to help him govern the Lodge should never be in shadow, not even for a millisecond, except during the processes of an initiation or degree work.

· The Master of the Lodge is always addressed as "Worshipful Master"; Past Masters can be addressed as "Worshipful Brother" or "Brother"; and elected Grand Lodge Officers including District Deputy Grand Masters as "Right Worshipful" with the exception of the Grand Master who is addressed as "Most Worshipful.” District Instructors past or present may be addresses as “Right Honorable” or “Brother”

· Two raps of the gavel by the Worshipful Master brings up the lodge officers and three raps bring up all present. One rap seats everyone.

· No man sits while speaking in the Lodge room, no matter if he addresses an officer or another brother. All Lodge activity is based on each man in the Lodge as being a servant of the Brethren. This includes the Worshipful Master and his officers. While the man, himself, who has been elected Worshipful Master, does not gain any special honor, personally, as the Worshipful Master, it is to the Worshipful Master as the Master of the Lodge that a member stands to address. It is simply a form of respect ...and no different than attending a shareholder’s meeting or a City Council meeting. It is expected that if you wish to address the audience, you will stand so all may see who is speaking.

· A good Mason does not talk while a degree is being conferred or during the work of the Lodge. Talking without asking to do so shows irreverence for the proceedings. Unless you have requested of the Master to speak, silence is the rule. This also means no whispering. If you have something of interest to say, raise your hand. When the Master recognizes you, you must stand up, and be recognized by the Master to speak.

· Voting is mandatory: When an issue is put to a vote, all brethren present MUST vote. A Brother who does not vote is discourteous because he skews the ballot. He becomes the weak link in a strong chain. No matter what the reason of his non-vote, he injures the Lodge’s ballot, its value and its secrecy. Failure to vote can injure a lodge’s feeling of brotherhood, and by that injury, can injure the Masonic fraternity. No matter what reason you may privately hold about voting, it is poor Masonic Etiquette to fail to vote when requested to do so by the Master.

· Prayers at lodge functions should be scrupulously in keeping with Masonic teachings. The Masonic Etiquette of offered prayers is that they should never be an expression of specific sectarian views or dogmatic creeds. It is a matter of courtesy that all prayers, speeches and discussions at Masonic affairs avoid sectarian, controversial or political tones. In the spirit of non-sectarianism, we must remember that since the day that our Creator found that Man created the Tower of Babel to glorify themselves; it is HE who changed man's language into the many diverse languages now spoken on Earth. In so doing, our Creator has many names across the world.

· Cell phones should be tuned off before entering the Lodge.

· Smoking within the Lodge is not permitted.