The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

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Chapter 6 - Peculiarities of Masonic Language
the Master. It is rooted in the theory that, as the Charter of the lodge is
essential to the regularity of a meeting, as the Charter is the particular
care of the Master, and as its place is upon the Altar, the Master should
never be interrupted in his plain view of it, even for an instant. 1126
When the Master is absent, he hands over the gavel and therewith the
authority to the Junior Warden, who is stationed in the South. The floor in front
of the South now becomes the "sacred ground," and a well-informed brother
would not tread on it:
During refreshment the Master relinquishes the gavel to the Junior
Warden in the South, which thus becomes, for the time being,
constructively the East. All that has been said about the respect due the
Master in the East applies now to the Junior Warden in the South. Too
often, at refreshment, brethren pass back and forth in front of the South;
it is a Masonic discourtesy of which no well informed Mason is ever
guilty. 1127
There are other things which have to be observed by Masons, for example the
order of seating themselves. Masons do not take a seat in the East without
invitation. The East is a place of honor, and although within the lodge room all
brethren are equal, it is a courtesy to offer the honorable seat to a Past Master,
who has long served the lodge, or to a distinguished visitor. 1128 Another very
important behavioral code is the formal dressing code (cf. our chapter 4.3 on
clothing): "Brethren who respect the formalities of their lodge will not enter it
undressed; that is, without their apron, or while putting that apron on. The
spectacle of a brother walking (usually he slouches!) up to the Altar, tieing the
strings and adjusting his apron while the Master waits for his salute, is not a
pretty one." 1129 This can be compared to our ordinary social rules. For example,
on entering a church, a man would also not put his necktie on. As in profane
society, it is courteous to stand up while addressing a superior person: "Servants
stand in the presence of their superiors. Therefore, no Mason sits while speaking,
whether he addresses an officer, or another brother." 1130 Furthermore, "welleducated"
Masons choose the right times of leaving the assembly and do not
interrupt ceremonies or speeches: "It is illegal to enter or leave the lodge room
during a ballot; it is discourteous to leave during a speech, or during a degree
[...]." 1131 As nobody would attempt to smoke in church, a Mason should not do it
in lodge: "Smoking is permitted in some lodge rooms during the business
meeting. Alas, there are some which do not interdict it during a degree!" 1132
1126
Claudy, A Master's Wages, p. 24/25.
1127
Ibid, p. 27.
1128
Cf. ibid, p. 25.
1129
Claudy, A Master's Wages, p. 24/25.
1130 Ibid, p. 27.
1131 Ibid, p. 27.
1132 Ibid, p. 28.