PROTOCOL MANUAL 1

PROTOCOL MANUAL 1-16-03

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Table Of Contents Paragraph

Statement of Purpose 1

Protocol Defined 9

Protocol In Lodge

A. Opening of Lodge 13

Business 17

Quorum 18

Early Opening 20

Dispensation 21

B. The Hat 23

C. Aprons

Officer's Jewels 26

Church Services Parades 36

Entering 37

Retiring 38

Informal Admittance 40

On Refreshment 41

Alarms 43

E. Use of Outer and Inner Doors 45

F. Conducting Candidates 49

G. Gifts to Candidates 52

H. Balloting 55

Conduct While Balloting 57

Tyler 60

I. Addressing the Lodge 61

Addressing the Worshipful Master 63

District Deputy Grand Master 64

Proper Decorum 69

J. The Grand Honors 70

Regular Installation 80

Open Installation 82

K. Funeral Services 83

Opening Communications 93

Emergent Communications 94

Lodge of Sorrow 95

. Table Lodge 99

M. Tendering the Gavel 103

N. Open Installation Procedure 111

II. Closing of Lodge 118

III. Examining and Receiving Visitors 126

A. Visitors. 127

B. Candidates 144

C. Introducing Visitors 150

D. New Members. 153

IV. Committee of Investigation

A. Candidates. 155

Initial Meeting 157

B. Brother For Affiliation 175

V. Community Relations 178

Outside the Lodge Room 179

Foundation stones 180

Non members or the Uninitiated 181

A. Guest Speakers or Public Officials 185

B. Widows 190

VI. Official Visits. 193

A. Receiving The Grand Master

Official Visits 196

Unofficial Visits. 197

Grand Honors. 217

B. Other Dignitaries 242

District Deputy grand Master 245

Deputy Grand Master 248

Grand Wardens 254

Other Elected Grand Officers 255

The Word Brother 261

Visiting Grand Lodge Officers

from Other Jurisdictions 263

Past Masters 266

Dignitaries in Appendant Bodies 270

VII. Protocol at Grand Lodge 277

A. Annual Communication 275

Who votes -When. 283

The Proxy. 283

B. Emergent Communication 286

C. Grand Lodge of Instruction 288

D. District Lodge of Instruction 294

1)STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

2) The purpose of this manual is to assist the Master and other Lodge

Officers in dealing with the administration of the non ritualistic

duties and activities incident to their offices. It is also hoped that

it will be a means of cementing and keeping intact the Masonic Manners

and Courtesies which tradition and usage have established in New Jersey

over the years.

3) It is intended to be a ready source of constant information to the

Lodges and Officers which will aid them in conforming to established

customs and procedures of the Fraternity, thus, to assist in maintaining

dignity and uniformity in those customs and procedures throughout the

Jurisdiction.

4) The Committee, in gathering or compiling the protocol guidelines and

suggestions included herein, does not in any way intend to infringe on

those portions of Ritual, Constitution, or By-Laws which are now in

effect. Neither do we wish to limit or inhibit a Worshipful Master or

other Lodge Officer from performing in a manner which is consistent

within good taste and common sense. Every possible situation cannot be

foreseen.

5) The information included in the manual is in no sense wholly original

with the Committee compiling it. We have attempted to compile the

information currently published in various forms, within our own

Jurisdiction along with the customs, traditions, personal experience and

knowledge of current and past Grand Lodge Officers.

6) If this manual serves to make your task as an officer of your Lodge

easier or gives you an expanded and improved knowledge of Masonic

Protocol, then this manual will have been worthwhile. This purpose can

best be accomplished by faithfully studying the ideas and suggestions

and by sharing them with the brethren of your Lodge.

7) We sincerely hope that this manual will prove to be a worthwhile

handbook or guide and will become an indispensable book for all Lodge

Officers. Properly used as a companion to the Constitution and By-Laws,

Officers Manual, and the Masonic Ritual, it should guarantee a high

degree of dignity and decorum within New Jersey Freemasonry.

8) The Committee John C. Outlaw, PGM , Raymond P. Bellini, Sr., PGM,

Grand Secretary, Harold D. Elliott, II, PGM, Edward R. Woods, PGM, Grand

Instructor William E. Burkett, PDDGM, Earl F. Sutton, PDDGM ,Richard W.

Van Doren, PGOr.

9) PROTOCOL

10) In this usage, we mean more than just a verbal agreement of how we

are going to conduct ourselves. What we are really talking about is the

fine art of good manners. Freemasonry has developed its own conventions,

by which its members act in Lodge and the Ante-Room. Not to proceed

according to their dictates is not Masonic offense; it is merely a lack

of Masonic manners.

11) Titles can be confusing to an inexperienced brother, but they can be

very simply handled and your District Deputy Grand Master (DDGM) will

always be ready to assist and advise you. The little refinements, which

can be accomplished only by forethought and carefully laid plans, will

mark a well governed Lodge, one which is well handled and in which a

visitor is properly received and treated.

12) Lodge courtesies, like those in the outside world, are founded

wholly in the Golden Rule. They oil the Masonic wheels and enable them

to revolve without creaking. They smooth the path of all in the Lodge

and prove to all and sundry the truth of the ritualistic explanation of

the "more noble and glorious purpose, to which we are taught to put the

trowel" .

I. MASONIC PROTOCOL IN THE LODGE ROOM

13) A). Opening of Lodge

14) A Masonic Lodge cannot be regularly opened unless the warrant is

present, except in the presence of the Grand Master.

15) Either the Worshipful Master, Senior Warden, or Junior Warden must

be present to open a Masonic Lodge. However, either of those brethren

can appoint any other brother to open the Lodge in his presence.

16) The number of Masons required to open or close a lodge is the number

prescribed by the ritual, one of whom must be the Worshipful Master or

either of the Wardens. The seven required by ritual are the Worshipful

Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer, Secretary, Senior and

Junior Deacons. A Masonic lodge must be tyled.

17) To do Masonic work, the presence of seven Master Masons is required,

and for the transaction of lodge business the presence of seven of its

members, a quorum, the number required to retain a lodge warrant, is

necessary.

18) If there be a legal quorum present (seven members of the lodge), the

majority those voting decides any matter of business, except when

required by the rule of Grand lodge.

19) Lodges may, in their By-laws grant permission to their Worshipful

Master to open a regular communication at any time not more than one

hour before the time fixed in their By-laws.

20) In the event of an early opening, no business is to be transacted

until the regular meeting time.

21) A dispensation must be obtained to open a regular communication

other than as stated in the By-laws of the lodge. [ at a different time

or place.]

22) The Master of the lodge may at any time order an emergent

communication, or change the time of one already ordered, but no work

may be done except such as is permissible at an emergent communication.

23) B):The Hat

24) The Worshipful Master may be known by his head being covered, etc.;

remember, no gavel --no hat! The hat is also removed during prayer, when

addressing the Flag, in a moment of respect for a departed brother and

at funerals; there because you are before the Public and they have no

knowledge of our customs.

25) History says that at one time, every Worshipful Master in the City

of London was covered; now only two wear hats. Whether we realize it or

not, New Jersey appears headed the same way. Just think how many

Worshipful Masters you have seen reach for the hat, after the Senior

Deacon heads for the inner door, and removes it as soon as he gets back

to the East, not to pick it up again until he is ready to step down at

the closing.

26) C). Wearing of Aprons and Jewels

27) The brethren will be clothed. The badge of a Mason is his Masonic

apron. In New Jersey, each Master Mason is presented with a white

lambskin apron which he is to wear at all communications of Masonic

meetings requiring Masonic dress. In New Jersey, the rule is to wear

the apron outside the suit coat and outside of the outermost garment

where it is the most visible. In some neighboring jurisdictions, e.g.

Pennsylvania, the apron may be worn inside the suit coat with the coat

being unbuttoned or open.

28) Officer's aprons, white lambskin with blue trim, are to be worn by

elected or appointed Officers of the Lodge. Past Masters, elected or

appointed as Officers, should wear a blue officers apron and not a Past

Master's apron while serving in an Officer. The silver metal collar with

the jewel of office is worn with an Officer's apron.

29) Past Masters are to wear a Past Master's apron with purple border

one inch wide, and it shall be worn on all Masonic occasions within this

Jurisdiction. [Sec. 39-06, Pg. 110)

30) Present and Past Grand Lodge Officers are to wear a Grand Lodge

Officer's apron; a white lambskin apron with a purple border .1.5 inches

wide.

31) The Distinguished White Leathern Apron is a white lambskin apron

with the Seal of the Grand Lodge imprinted in blue on the apron flap.

32) Lodge Officer's jewels are silver and have the symbol of each

officer's station attached, and are to be worn when serving as an

officer in his station or place.

33) Grand Lodge officers jewels are gold and have the symbol of the

officer attached and should be worn as directed by the Grand Master.

34) No aprons other than those prescribed by the Grand Lodge shall be

worn at any communication of the Grand Lodge or any constituent Lodge or

at any other meeting or service authorized or permitted by the Grand

Lodge, excepting however, that this prohibition shall not apply to

present or past Grand Lodge Officers or other

35) visitors from other Grand Jurisdictions, nor to the Representatives

of Co-Ordinate Bodies of Masons received as such at an Annual

Communication of this Grand Lodge [Sec.29, Item 07,pg. 111]

36) The wearing of aprons and jewels at church services is permitted

when the attendance is 25 brethren or more. Permission must be obtained

in advance from the Grand Master to appear in parades or other public

ceremonies in masonic regalia

37) D). Entering or Retiring From a Lodge

38) While at labor, a brother requesting the Tyler to admit him into the

lodge should inquire as to which degree the Lodge is working on before

entering the Lodge. While the Lodge is at labor, a brother entering

should go in on the square, which would be a line on the South side of

the Lodge to a point West of the altar, then North to the center of the

altar and face East. When the Worshipful Master rises, the brother

should be on the appropriate step and give the dugard and sign of the

degree on which the Lodge is at Labor, and then proceed as directed by

the Worshipful Master.

39) Upon retiring from the Lodge, the brother would approach the altar,

wait for the Worshipful Master to rise, salute and retire from the Lodge

on the square in the reverse manner as when he entered.

40) Informal admittance may be permitted only by the Worshipful Master,

and when so announced, the brethren would enter the Lodge and go

directly to their seats without going to the altar or saluting, except

when crossing the room to the north side when a salute must be given.

41) When entering or retiring from the Lodge when on refreshment, the

brother would place himself on the West side of the altar and salute the

Junior Warden and then proceed to enter or retire from the Lodge

informally. If he forgets to determine the degree and activity status

from the Tyler beforehand, observing the position of the Warden's

columns and that of the Square and Compasses will indicate who and how

to salute.

42) No member should be permitted to enter the Lodge while the Lodge is

being opened or closed.

43) There should be no alarms while the Grand Master is present. With

the same consideration, alarms should never disturb a candidate during a

degree. So, bearing in mind that a brother may attend, to see the Grand

Master, or to hear a speaker, or to see a friend receive a degree, it

would be well for a Worshipful Master to explain this to the Tyler at

the beginning of the year and leave it to his good judgment.

44) In moving about the Lodge while at Labor, the rule is that no one

from the sidelines should cross between the Worshipful Master and the

Altar. This is so that the Worshipful Master may view the Sacred Law at

all times for his edification, wisdom, and guidance.

45) E). Use of the Outer and Inner Doors

46) The outer door is the only door by which members, visitors, and

guests should be admitted into or retired from the Lodge room. The outer

door is tyled from the outside by the Tyler and from the inside by the

Junior Deacon.

47) The inner door is in the custody of the Senior Deacon and is

answered only by the Senior Deacon when an alarm is given by a candidate

in waiting. It is unmasonic and discourteous to the Worshipful Master

for brethren to enter or retire by the inner door when the Lodge is at

labor.

48) The ballot box is the key to the inner door.

49) F). Conducting Candidates

50) Candidates are neither expected nor permitted to move of their own

volition; they are conducted at all times. Once the degree is completed,

you do not put your hands on the candidate again, except as a candidate

in another degree.

51) Master Masons, as such, are all equal and are escorted but never

conducted.

52) G). Gifts to Candidates

53) As all are to be treated “I in the same way and manner” , any gifts

presented to candidates in open Lodge should be the same to each.

54) Other, special, personal, or family gifts should be made after lodge

is closed and in the collation hall.

55) H). Balloting

56) There are three forms of voting in our Masonic Lodges: First, the

secret ballot in the ballot box with white balls and black cubes;

Second, by a written ballot; and Third, by the manual or ancient voting

sign of a Mason.

57) We should remember at all times, when the ballot is called for, that

the Lodge is at labor and every brother should conduct himself

accordingly. We salute before casting our ballot; the salute is not

returned. This is a reminder to ourselves and an affirmation to our

brothers that we are conscious of our obligations and that we vote not

as an individual but as a Master Mason and for the good of the Order.

58) It is not only the right, but also the duty of each Master Mason to

vote unless excused by a three-quarters vote of the members present.

(This is easily determined by the Worshipful Master announcing,

"Brother(name) has asked to be excused from voting. Is there any

objection?" The show of hands will quickly determine the number, if any,

of objections.)

59) The ballot must be kept strictly secret. A brother violates its

secrecy by stating how he has or will vote, nor may member demand of

another how he has or will vote.

60) Remember that if he is a member of the Lodge, the Tyler comes under

these same rules. He is replaced by the Junior Deacon while inside. The

Worshipful Master makes the same announcement to him as was made to the

Lodge. [See Appendix A for the voting schedule.]

61) I).Addressing Brethren the Lodge, Worshipful Master, Officers and

Brethren

62) When a brother enters a Masonic Lodge he must suppress his own

personality to the extent that Masonic dignity and courtesy are observed

at all times. He must remember his Masonic Obligations and conduct

himself as a Brother Mason at all times. The principles of ordinary

courtesy will always enhance the dignity of his speech.

63) The Worshipful Master is addressed as Worshipful Master except where

indicated in the ritual as Worshipful Sir. A Past Master is addressed as

Worshipful Sir. A brother should never be addressed as Brother John or

Brother Joe, but as Brother Brown or Brother Smith. An Officer should

always be addressed by the official title of the office which he holds

rather than as the brother who holds it.

64) A DDGM should be addressed as:

65) Right Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master or

66) Right Worshipful Brother (name) District Deputy Grand Master or

67) Right Worshipful (name) District Deputy Grand Master.

68) In addressing the Worshipful Master, a brother should rise, wait

until acknowledged by the Worshipful Master, salute, address the Office

as Worshipful Master, and continue to speak. A brother wishing to speak

to an officer or another brother should ask the permission of the

Worshipful Master to address the officer or the brother to whom he

wishes to speak.

69) It is not courteous to talk or cause any confusion during a Lodge

session and the Worshipful Master has the right to call any such

offending brother to order if the harmony of the Lodge is being

disrupted. The Lodge is no place in which to discuss religious,

commercial (ie. business), or political problems; bitterness and

ill-will are discourteous and the criticism of the Lodge or Grand Lodge

is clearly unmasonic.

70) J). Grand Honors

71) Grand Honors are:

72) always given to the Grand Master.

73) always given to the Deputy Grand Master,

74) always given to the District Deputy Grand Master when he

75) is officially representing the Grand Master.

76) They may be given by courtesy to a Past Grand Master.

77) Grand Masters have generally directed that Grand Honors be given to

the recipients of 50 year tokens, 60 year wreaths, and 75 year jewels.

78) If Grand Honors are once given at a communication of a Lodge, they

should not again be given at that communication to any brother unless he

be of a higher Masonic rank than the brother to whom they were first

given -or unless they by given (with the approval of the Grand Master)

to recipients of 50 year tokens, 60 year wreaths, and 75 year jewels.

79) The Grand Master may order Grand Honors given to any brother.

80) At a closed ceremony of Installation, the Grand Honors are given to

the Worshipful Master after his investiture. At the conclusion of the

ceremony, after the Proclamation in the South, West, and East, the Grand

Honors

81) are again given and everyone joins in giving them. They are regarded

in this instance as being given the Grand Lodge of New Jersey, and in a

broader sense, to the Institution of Freemasonry in general.

82) No Grand Honors are given to the Worshipful Master at an open

Installation or after the Marshal makes the Proclamation.

83) K). Masonic Funeral Ceremonies

84) All affiliated Master Masons in good standing, and Entered

Apprentices and Fellow Crafts, are entitled to a Masonic Funeral

service, if requested, providing that not more than six months have

elapsed between the date of their initiation or passing, and their death.

85) The 1984 Officer's Manual has the complete service with extensive

guidelines on Pages 147, 148, and 151, with other aids for unusual

circumstances on Pages 171 to 173.

86) Bear in mind that all processions are under the direction of the

Marshal, so we are always at labor under Lodge room discipline. The

procedures have been set and are detailed to make them easy to follow

and it is much to our advantage to do so.

87) The most appropriate dress is dark business suit unless the Lodge is

conferring a degree on the evening of the funeral service, then the

Officers would normally be wearing tuxedos. A very small number of

lodges have been granted permission to conduct their services in tuxedos

because they have done so for many years and the communities were

accustomed to it.

88) Not only should the oration be delivered from memory, but it is well

to remember that the rule is, "There will be no books in evidence". [A

good system for memorization is in Appendix C, Demolay Ritual Bulletin,

1979.]

89) The procedure is so arranged that the brother doing the service

should lead the column on the side that will place him at the foot of

the casket and the Chaplain, bearing the Three Great Lights, leading the

other column, will be at the head. It is not at all necessary for the

brother delivering the exhortation to wear someone else's jewel. He is

not in charge of the Lodge; he is only delivering the funeral oration.

In many cases, he is a white apron brother and not an officer.

90) The next in line behind him is asked to carry the white apron, in

much the same position as the one he is wearing, that it may be in full

view and available when needed, without appearing as if by magic. If

someone else is to do the service it would be well that the Worshipful

Master carry the apron.

91) Probably the second most important thing, after a good, distinct and

audible delivery, is that the Marshal see that the brethren are so

placed that they not obstruct the view of the mourners. Heshould then

find a suitable place for himself, until the service is completed, then

step back on the floor and direct the procession as the brethren pay

their respects and depart; he is the last to do so.

92) The wording of the exhortation itself was set by vote of this Grand

Lodge and the record can be found in the 1954 Proceedings on Page 125

and 137. After much serious consideration, it compares favorably with

that of any other Grand Jurisdiction. It is also designed to permit no

personal or private eulogy.

93) There is one way and one way only to open a Masonic Lodge in this

Jurisdiction. If it is an emergent communication, called for an

individual funeral service or for a Lodge of sorrow for the year, it is

opened exactly the same as one for a regular communication.

94) In all emergent communications, when the final gavel is sounded, in

the opening ceremonies, the Worshipful Master should rise and announce

the purpose of that communication. In the event of the absence of the

Worshipful Master, for any reason, the Senior Warden calls the emergent

communication and announces the purpose. At this point there is one

difference: the Constitution and Laws, Section 29, Item 24, Page 87,

reads, "The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States shall

be given at every regular communication of a Lodge and at all emergent

communications except those called to conduct funeral services." [1963]

We have had the privilege of opening a Lodge of sorrow for the year

since this legislation was passed in 1959.

95) To many, a Lodge of Sorrow has been a great help; others have not

chosen to use it. To do so, the Lodge must pass, at its Annual

Communication, a resolution to do so. Then an emergent communication is

opened, after the close of the Annual, and before the next regular