1. The Master should not be laborer, builder, and everything. His function is to superintend and direct the work.
2. The Master should allocate various parts to your Senior and Junior Wardens so that they may assist and develop their own leadership skills.
3. The Master should have a meeting of office-bearers as soon after the election as possible to arrange your work, and to enter your duties enthusiastically.
4. Remember it is the Master's job to plan and to implement his plan.
5. The Master should give encouragement to anyone who wishes to work.
6. The Master proves himself worthy of the power placed in his hands by using it as seldom as possible.
The Ideal Condition of a Lodge is implied. In practice, of course, this ideal condition is not attained, but there are three things essential towards the attainment of it:
There must be the earnest desire on the part of the Members and the Master for his ideal state; a knowledge of their relative rights and powers; an endeavor to bear and forebear with each other in all things.
These and a sincere desire for brotherhood will enable all to overlook the imperfections, the failings, the frailties of each other with a charitable eye.
A true knowledge by the Master of his powers and privileges will form the basis of harmonious working, for ignorance is the prolific Mother of contentions and strife. A just conception of our own rights dispose us to respect the right of others and a true idea of the limits of our powers render us more free to acknowledge the power of others.
[Abridged and modified from The Lodge Master by Andrew MacBride, Grand Lodge of Scotland 1873.]
Editor's Note: These words, while meant for an incoming Master, are applicable to all officers and all members not only for the good of the order but for the good of the Lodge.
Fraternally,
Norm Leeper, PM, HA
Secretary
Southern California Research Lodge
