SECTION VI.

THE STEWARDS.
The Stewards are two in number, and are ap- pointed by the Junior Warden. They sit on the right and left of that officer, each one having a white rod, as the insignia of his office, and wearing the cornucopia as a jewel.
Preston says that their duties are " to introduce visitors, and see that they are properly accommo- dated ; to collect subscriptions and other fees, and to keep an exact account of the Lodge expenses." Webb adds to these the further duties of seeing " that the tables are properly furnished at refresh-
* The jewels of the Deacons are a square and compasses, with the sun in the centre for the Senior, and the moon for the Junior. In England the jewel is a dove in its flight. The Deacons always carry rods as the insignia of their office.
r*)0 STEWARDS.
mrf"it, and that every brother is suitably provided for," and lie makes them the assistants generally of the Deacons and other officers in performing their respective duties.*
There can be no doubt, from the nature of the office in other institutions, that the duty of the Stewards was originally to arrange and direct the refreshments of the Lodge, and to provide accom- modations for the brethren on such occasions. When the office was first established, refreshments constituted an important and necessary part of the proceedings of every Lodge. Although not yet abolished, the Lodge banquets are now fewer, and occur at greater intervals, and the services of the Stewards are therefore now less necessary, so far as respects their original duties as servitors at the table. Hence new duties are beginning to be im- posed upon them, and they are, in many jurisdic- tions, considered as the proper officers to examine visitors and to prepare candidates. f
The examination of visitors and the preparation of candidates for reception into the different de- grees, requires an amount of skill and experience
* Lenning says that in those German Lodges which have introduced the office of Stewards, they unite the duties of Deacons and Stewards, and are the assistants of the two Wardens, whose stations they assume in their absence. Encyc. der Freimaitr in voce Schafener. They p03sess no such prerogative in England or America. The French Lodges do cot recognize the office.
f " To the Stewards is intrusted, in the hours of labor, the preparation of candidates and the examination of visitors, for which purpose they bh^uld acquire a competent knowledge of the mysteries of our institution."— Ahiman Eezon of So Carolina, p. 79.
TILER. 39 i
which can be obtained only by careful study. It seems, therefore, highly expedient that instead of intrusting these services to committees appointed as occasion may require, they should be made the especial duty of officers designated at their instal- lation for that purpose, and who will therefore, it is to be supposed, diligently prepare themselves for the correct discharge of the functions of their office.
Preston says that at their installation the Master and Wardens are the representatives of the Mas- ter Masons who are absent, the Deacons of the Fellow Crafts, and the Stewards of the Entered Apprentices.
The Stewards, like the Deacons, although not elected, but appointed, cannot, after installation, be removed by the officer who appointed them.
I may remark, in conclusion, that the office is one of great antiquity, since we find it alluded to and the duties enumerated in the Old York Constitu- tions of 926," where the Steward is directed " to provide good cheer against the hour of refresh- ment,77 and to render a true and correct accourt of the expenses.