What are the Working Tools of a Worshipful Master? Does the Worshipful Master even need Working Tools? Why does he need them? All very good questions and the answer, I believe, is critical to the success and perhaps even the survival of our lodges.
We are told of the importance of the Worshipful Master in various programs and rituals. We learn that he holds a symbolic position among the various lights that guide the lodge in its duties and ritual. We also learn about his duty to set the craft to labor and provide instruction on the duties required for the successful operation of the lodge. And finally, we are reminded every year of the lengthy list of responsibilities of the Worshipful Master when we attend the annual Installation of Officers and listen while he is both obligated and charged by the Installing Master. It is clear that a man and a brother coming into the position of Worshipful Master could use some Working Tools to assist in his labors on behalf of the lodge.
It is my belief that the Working Tools of a Worshipful Master should properly be The Gavel and The Hat. Like all of the other working tools we gather along the paths of our respective journeys, these working tools would necessarily symbolize something, right?
As Operative Masons our Worshipful Masters employ the Gavel and Hat as physical and visual representations of their governance and authority over and within the lodge. As The Gavel calls the craft to order, it also maintains protocols, decorum, and manners among the brethren. The Hat provides the visual representation of the authority of the Worshipful Master and rallies us to unite under his leadership and in support of his directions and decisions.
But as Speculative Masons we might see them together as representing "Harmony, Vision, and Communication" which could be interpreted thus:
Where the Worshipful Master ensures that harmony exists, we can labor together in good cheer and high spirit in support of our lodges and of each other, sharing the demands of our efforts and together enjoying the fruits resulting from our mutual labors.
When the Worshipful Master provides his vision for our lodge we are called to work in unison, mindful of the needs of the lodge and our brothers to complete our necessary tasks to reach a common goal thus far described but as yet to be attained.
And when there is adequate communication from the Worshipful Master to the craft we can learn and know our tasks and expectations and we are afforded due opportunities to join in the mutual labors of our brethren, ultimately reaping the spiritual rewards that come from our investment of precious time and efforts in our lodge and brothers.
So I offer these Working Tools - The Gavel and The Hat - for your consideration. You may see no value in them and pass them by, or perhaps you may find a suitable purpose for them if you ascend to the Chair in The East. My objective with this offering is to shine some light on what I think are the three principle responsibilities of the Worshipful Master in his presiding year: ensure harmony in and about the lodge, where harmony prevails brotherly love can follow; provide the unifying vision to harness the energy and labors of the brethren and effectively focus them on a common objective or goal; and finally to communicate with his members - all of his members. The brethren cannot help and cannot participate if they don't know where the Worshipful Master is taking the lodge and what he needs to get it there; lodges generally do not demise from sharing too much information with its members; get the word out, make every member feel like a brother in an extended family!
I offer these thoughts and I implore our future Worshipful Masters out there to at least consider these Working Tools and adopt or maybe adapt them! You might adopt them as I have described them here, or perhaps you might find a useful adaptation that better fits your own lodge and circumstance; in either case it it always worthwhile to organize your thoughts and your own labors before trying to organize those of your lodge and your brothers!
On a separate note about my website, I would like to announce some changes coming in January; first, some of the pages that are now open to all will become "member only". There will NOT be any subscription fees or costs involved, but the pages will require registration by way of an email address. Second, I will be converting the current "Noah's Quest" page into a "Books" page where you will be able to find a description of my books along with Amazon links to purchase them. Noah has completed his quest (as noted in "Noah's Quest Volume IV: Masonic Mementos" which is now available on Amazon!) and the page can be put to more productive use.
Finally, also in January, I will announce my final decision on whether there will be a follow-on book or series to "Noah's Quest". The jury is still out, but I will have a decision ready in early January. Thank you to everyone who followed Noah through his quest and I hope you found something of use somewhere in the story line!
Labor on my worthy brothers - and let's put our Working Tools to use!
-BroBill
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