Please take a moment to continue your learning on Masonic Etiquette:
STAND WHEN YOU SPEAK:
No man sits while speaking in the lodge room, no matter if he addresses an officer or another Brother.
Why? All lodge activity is based on each man in the lodge being a servant of the Brethren. This includes the officers of the lodge. While the man himself, who has been elected to serve, 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.
TALKING:
"Side" talk while a degree is being conferred is considered bad manners.
Why? The lodge room serves symbolically as the Temple of Solomon. The Brethren within are working to make the best ashlars (stones) for His spiritual temple. Just as it is impolite to talk when in a church, synagogue, or mosque service, so it is improper to distract the officers, working in the degree with the candidate.
Talking without asking to do so shows irreverence for the proceedings. The lodge room is not for conversation but rather for reflection and learning the lesson of the day. Unless you have permission from the Master to speak, silence is the rule. This also means no whispering.
HOW? If you have something of interest to say, stand and wait to be called upon. Once the Master recognizes you, you should address the Brethren by giving the due guard and sign and say, “Worshipful Master, Wardens, and Brethren.” If the Grand Master is in attendance, you should say, “Worshipful Master, Most Worshipful Grand Master, Wardens, and Brethren.”
SPEAKING:
If you wish to offer a predetermined motion or matter for discussion, advise the Master beforehand.
Why? Advising the Master before the meeting that you intend to bring up a specific motion or a matter for discussion is an important courtesy. You may do it without advising him in advance, but the Master may have plans of his own for that meeting, for which your proposed motion or discussion may not easily fit into the allotted timeframe.
As a courtesy to him, his work, and his dedication to the members, it is best to ask him privately beforehand. This saves "face" for both of you.
You will not publicly be refused, and he will not have to seem disagreeable or arrogant in his refusal of your motion.
OBEY THE GAVEL:
You must immediately obey the gavel.
Why? Failure to immediately obey the gavel is a GRAVE DISCOURTESY and is considered a Masonic offense. The Master is all-powerful in the lodge and his word is final. He can put or refuse to put any motion. He can rule any brother out of order on any subject at any time. He can say what he will, and what he will not permit to be discussed.
Brethren who think him unfair, arbitrary, unjust, or acting illegally has redress. The Grand Lodge can be appealed to on any such matter. However, in the lodge, the Master’s gavel, which is his emblem of authority, is supreme.
When a Brother is rapped down, he should obey at once, without any further discussion. In fact, he crosses the line between displaying very bad manners and is VERY close to committing a Masonic offense. Masonic etiquette decries anyone who does not obey the gavel.
TURNING YOUR BACK:
Never turn one’s back on the Master to address the lodge without first receiving permission from the Master to speak.
Why? Any debates that are in motion must be conducted using proper Masonic etiquette. One always stands when addressing the East. Two Brethren on their feet and facing each other while simultaneously arguing a motion and ignoring the Master is unacceptable.
SALUTE:
Each of the Brethren will make their way West of the altar and salute the Master when they enter and when they leave the lodge room.
Why? The Masonic etiquette of saluting the Master is your renewed pledge of fealty and service. It is your public display of decorum before all other Brothers of your obligation. It shows your courteous respect for all that the Master stands for and shows that you acknowledge his authority.
Salutes should reflect your heartfelt respect for all that for which he stands. The salute to the Master is your pledge of honor and service, your publicly shown obligation. A lazy, sloppy or improper salute is to be Masonically impolite and, thus, exhibits poor Masonic etiquette.
Note? This is true only during open lodge. If the lodge is closed or at ease for a public ceremony, defer to the precedent of the ceremony - but never salute in mixed company.
MASONIC ETIQUETTE SUMMARY:
Masonic etiquette is simply the rules of good manners which make lodge meetings pleasant for everyone. The position of Worshipful Master in the East occupies the most exalted position within the lodge. A lodge that does not honor its Master no matter how they personally feel about the man himself lacks Masonic courtesy.
The honor conveyed by the Brethren in electing him, in other words, the historical traditions and the men who have gone before you, must be given the utmost respect if the traditions of the Fraternity are to be observed and proper Masonic etiquette is to be maintained.
Masonic etiquette comprises lodge courtesies and proprieties.
Good manners imply observance of the formal requirements governing man's behavior in polite society and a sense of what is appropriate for a person of good breeding with high morals and good taste. The spirit of brotherly love and affection, by which we are bound together, will be exemplified in our conduct, our carriage, and our behavior at all times. It is my hope that you will use your trowel to cement the stones of brotherly love for the “More Noble and Glorious Purpose” of exhibiting these rules of Masonic etiquette toward one and all within the brethren.
If this topic is of interest, you may find "The Art of Manliness" website to be interesting although not of a Masonic nature.
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