ST. JOHN'S LODGE
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

INSIDE SENTINEL

 OVERVIEW  

            This is the first office in the progressive line. As you must crawl before you learn to run, as such, it affords the first opportunity to learn the basics of being an officer of a Masonic lodge. The emblem for this station is the double crossed swords. The collar may have the emblem encircled or not. The emblem will also be on the Lodge Apron, which will be worn during lodge meetings in place of the usual blue bordered white members’ apron. 

            The ritualistic duty of the Inside Sentinel is to stand guard over the untyled door to the lodge room. He is to allow none to enter or leave the lodge through this door except for the Junior Deacon, the Stewards, the Candidate or Candidates, and the three ruffians in the Third Degree. It is the Inside Sentinel who opens and closes this door except when the Senior Deacon is directed to investigate the candidate into the lodge room and during the second section of the Third Degree when other brethren will be passing through the door as part of the ceremony. In all cases, after those who have passed through the door are in the lodge room, he is to ascertain that the door is closed and secure. 

            If the lodge is fortunate to have five candidates, he will be responsible for conducting the fifth candidate around the lodge room during part of the first section of each degree. He will return to his station and assume his regular duties after the candidates are instructed to leave the alter and salute the Wardens. 

            During the procession of the Third Degree in the presentation of the Ancient Form, he is to form the Brethren in a single file at the beginning of the third circuit of the lodge. Clarification of this procedure can be found in the Floorwork section of the Official Cipher. 

            As Inside Sentinel, he is to serve as part of the lodge’s greeting committee along with the Stewards and Deacons. He should greet every brother who enters the lodge room prior to the star of the meeting. This may seem trivial, however, how can he ask a brother for assistance in performing the duties he will assume in higher stations if he does not get to know him? The greeting committee is the perfect mechanism to assist a junior officer in getting to know his fellow brethren and, additionally, it helps create an atmosphere of warmth for the brethren who attend lodge meetings. 

            The Inside Sentinel should be a keen observer of all that goes on in the lodge and should be learning as much as possible. It is wise for any officer to be ahead of his own office. This is an excellent opportunity to get ahead and for a learning year. He should assist the Stewards in any way possible, and learning their duties specifically (see Junior and Senior Stewards). He should prepare himself to be able to assume either of the Steward’s duties and degree work at any time. The duties are relatively simple, yet they form the foundation for the future duties an officer will assume. Strong adherence to the duties assigned will make his future experiences enjoyable ones. 

            Below are some specific duties and responsibilities of the Inside Sentinel. 

SPECIFIC DUTIES 

1. During balloting, the Inside Sentinel should station himself at the tyled door.
2. He should learn the ritual for the three gates and be prepared to fill a vacancy if necessary. He should be thoroughly familiar with the work of the Fellow Craft Team.
3. He should assist the Stewards by filling the water pitchers in the South, West, and East with fresh cold water and ice if available.
4. In the absence of the Electrician, he will operate the lights for the meetings.
5. He should attend the visits of the District Deputy Grand Master as scheduled.