CHAPTER XVII

ETIQUETTE WITHIN THE LODGE
PROCESSIONAL ENTRY.
It is customary in some Lodges for the Wor- shipful Master, Past Masters, and Wardens to make a formal entry into the Lodge Room. If this be intended, the Brethren should assemble in the Lodge Room, and the Pro- cession should be formed up in the Ante- Room, and when ready the Organist should perform a suitable accompaniment, and the Procession should enter in the following © order:
The Tyler, with drawn sword; and I. G.
The Dir. of Ceremonies (with A.D.C.).
The Deacons.
The Wardens.
The Worshipful Master. :
The Past Masters.
On arriving near the Master’s Pedestal,
the Brethren preceding him open out to right and teft, and the Worshipful Master passes
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Side.
Etiquette within the Lodge
through to his Chair. The Senior Deacon remains with him, at, or near to, his right.
The procession passes on, leaving the Past Masters when they arrive at their appointed place in the S.E. on the left of the Master’s Chair.
On arriving near the Junior Warden’s Chair, the preceding Brethren again open out as before, and the Junior Warden passes through to his seat.
Similarly, on arriving near the Senior ‘Warden’s Chair, where the Junior Deacon remains.
The Tyler, I. G., and D. C. pass on.
The I. G. takes his place on the left of the S. W.; the Tyler passes out of the Lodge, and closes the door, which the I. G. locks, and the D. C. or D. Cs. take their places.
In taking their places in their respective
| chairs, the Worshipful Master and the
Wardens should invariably follow the course
«of the Sun—that is, the Master should enter
pn the North side. The Senior Warden Bhould enter on the South side, and the Junior Warden should enter on the East
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Freemasonry and its Etiquette -
ARRANGEMENT OF SEATS.
On the RIGHT of the W.M. The Prov. G.M. and/or Dep. Prov. G.M Grand Officers next to Dep. Prov. G.M Prov. G. Officers (or London Rank). Distinguished Visitors. Senior Deacon. Ordinary Visitors.
On the LEFT of the W.M. Immediate Past Master. Chaplain. ; Past Masters in Rank and Seniority. Brethren generally.
Every visiting Brother who is a Master of a Lodge or a Past Master should, immediately upon his entrance into the Lodge, be con- ducted by the Director of Ceremonies (or, in his absence, should be invited by the Worshipful Master) to the dais or to a seai on the right of the Worshipful Master. (The dais is out of date nowadays in most Londor Lodges.) If all the seats there are occupied, it will be in accordance with etiquette— and, indeed, with ordinary politeness—that a member of the Lodge shall give place in favour of the visiting Brother. (See p. 345.)
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Etiquette within the Lodge
OPENING ODE.
When the formal entry has been com- pleted, as above, or (in cases where there is no formal entry) when the Brethren are assembled, the opening Ode may be sung.
This is a well-known Ode, commencing, * Hail Eternal !’ (see p. 259).
In the third verse there is a reference to the Badge and mystic Sign. Certain in- genious Brethren make certain motions when these words are sung, but it is quite improper to do so—as, for one reason, the Lodge is not yet open; and no masonic Sign should ever be given except in open Lodge. |
The opening Ode should always be sung before the Lodge is opened, and not after (see p. 317).
WARRANT.
‘No Lodge can meet without a Warrant ’; and the Worshipful Master is responsible for its safe custody and for its production at every meeting of the Lodge.
Care should therefore be taken to see that the Warrant is in evidence before proceed: ings are commenced.
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Freemasonry and its Etiquette
OPENING, FIRST DEGREE.
The Lodge is then opened in the First Degree.
When the W. M. addresses the J. W., the J. W. should not make any Sn. When directed to do so by the J. W., the I. G. ‘sees’ that the L. is P. T. by giving the E. A. Ks. He does not open the door to do so. These Ks. being answered by the T., and reported by the I. G. to the J. W., the J. W. gives = and reports to the W. M. (Ks. only; no Sn.).
In doing this, the J. W. should not turn his body towards the W. M., only his head.
When the W. M. addresses the S. W., the S. W. should not make any Sn.
When the Brethren are called to order, they should all simultaneously take Sp., and then give Sn. of E. A., looking (not turning) to the E., so that they may presently keep time accurately with the W. M.
All Sps. and Sns. should be silently done.
Care should be taken that the Sn. should be perfect and uniform and square. There is much slovenliness with regard to this.
The Sn. should commence where it rests, There should not be a preliminary motion, or point.
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Etiquette within the Lodge
One point connected with the opening (and closing) of the Lodge arises in this place—namely, Is it etiquette for one or more or the whole of the Brethren present to pronounce the words ‘ So mote it be’ at the conclusion of the prayer by the Wor- shipful Master? Opinions and_ practice differ upon the subject. It is held in Emula- tion Working Lodges that the Immediate Past Master alone should use the words; in others, that the right belongs to all the Past Masters, and to none below that rank. The practice in many Lodges is for all the Brethren to join in the repetition of the words; and in many Lodges the words are - sung to the accompaniment of the organ.
There is no authoritative pronouncement upon the subject, therefore we must expect to find differences in ae in different Lodges.
The Sn. should be maintained until the word ‘open’ is pronounced by the W. M., when the Sn. should be dis. with perfect uniformity, hand remaining open.
W.M.—3 S. W.—#; and Col.
J. W. —# and Col.