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


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SENIOR STEWARD

 OVERVIEW 

 The Senior Steward is the third junior officer in the line of progression, and is a station that offers an opportunity for some responsibility for the lodge’s candidates. To achieve this position demonstrates the fact the Brother has shown some promise and potential interest in the lodge affairs to receive this appointment. 

The emblem for his station is the Cornucopia, with the opening, or horn, facing left. The collar may have the emblem encircled or not. The emblem will also be on the Lodge Apron which will be worn during lodge in place of the usual blue-bordered white members’ apron. Additionally, the Senior Steward will carry a white rod with the emblem mounted on top of it. He will carry this in the performance of his duties while in the lodge room. 

The ritualistic duty of the Senior Steward is to assist with the preparation of the candidates. As this duty involves the initial contact with the lodge in operation by the candidates, and therefore their first impression of the lodge, it is imperative that these officers be fully aware of this at all times in the presence of the candidates and act accordingly. They should always treat the candidates with decorum, courtesy and with friendliness. It is important to impress upon them that we are gentlemen. Under no condition should a candidate be made to feel uncomfortable, inferior or fearful. 

If the lodge has more that two candidates, the Senior Steward will conduct the third candidate about the lodge during the first section of each degree. He is to return to his station and assume the regular duties after the candidates are instructed to leave the Alter and salute the Junior and Senior Wardens. If there are two or fewer candidates, the Senior Steward will return to his station after the candidates have been duly examined by the Master. 

During the second section of the Third Degree in the presentation of the Ancient Form, he is to assume the role of the Second Craftsman. In this role, he will remove his lodge collar and wear a white Fellow Craft Apron. He will not carry his rod about the lodge during this section. There is one line in the ritual to recite. The Senior Deacon will ask one question and the Senior Steward respond. This will be found in the Official Cipher. 

When the role of Craftsman has been completed, he is to return to his station and put on his regalia. At this point, he is to check that the Junior Steward and Senior Deacon have done the same, and sit when the Senior Deacon sits. 

When parading about the lodge, the Alter is always to the right of the Senior Steward. Although Floorwork is the Mater’s prerogative, it is suggested that timing for sitting in the chair be coordinated with the junior officers. When parading about the lodge room, turns should be made using military right angles carrying the rod extended down from the right shoulder. Finally, when stepping off, it should always be on the left foot. The Stewards have two basic responsibilities. First, they are responsible to the Junior Deacon, under the direction of the Senior Deacon, for the regalia of the lodge (see below for specifics). Second, they are responsible to the Junior Warden in assisting him for dinners and functions of the lodge. This dual supervision can lead to conflicts, but cooperation between the supervising officers should keep conflicts to a minimum. In case of conflict, check with the other officer courteously. The final decision, of course rests with the Junior Warden. The Stewards handle a lot of the details that keep a lodge running smoothly, and are important to the operation of the lodge. Specific duties of the Stewards are listed below. Any of these duties may be delegated to the Inside Sentinel, or Assistant Stewards, if any, but the Stewards are responsible for their completion.

 SPECIFIC DUTIES 

  1. The Stewards are responsible for assisting in teaching of the candidate’s lecture(s) during the weekly instruction periods under the direction of the Senior Deacon.
  2. The Stewards need to arrive at least on half-hour prior to a rehearsal to set the regalia required for the degree being rehearsed. For a meeting where dinner is being served, they may need to arrive one half-hour earlier or more, as needed to assist the Junior Warden in preparing for dinner as well as setting up the lodge hall for the degree.
  3. REGALIA
    1. The Stewards shall set up the furniture of the lodge for each degree. It is suggested that a guide be posted on the wall of the regalia closet or case for reference.
    2. They shall lay out all of the officer’s aprons, collars with the jewels, and the proper implements of the various officers in the respective positions.
    3. Under the direction of the Junior Deacon, they shall put away all regalia in its proper place immediately upon the closing of the lodge. If anything has been borrowed they shall see that it has been returned to the person from whom it was borrowed.
    4. They shall polish any regalia that requires it including officer’s jewels, Alter Square and Compasses, batons, truncheons and Senior Deacon’s combination Square and Compasses.
    5. They shall assist the Junior Deacon in inventorying the regalia of the lodge.
  4. FUNERAL BOX
    1. The Senior Steward, with the assistance of the Junior Steward, is in charge of the care of the funeral box and to see that it arrives at a funeral in a timely fashion.
    2. He shall inventory the funeral box when the general regalia is inventoried and include the results in the Junior Deacon’s report. He shall continuously maintain the box, as it may be needed at a moment’s notice with no time to replenish it.
    3. When notified, he should ensure a box is available with sprigs of Acacia for the members.
    4. He shall notify the Secretary when the supply of aprons is low.
    5. The normal inventory is as follows.

1.      Combination Square and Compasses.

2.      1 Compasses 1 Square 1 Magnetic Compass (to determine East)

3.      1 Holy Bible

4.      1 Masonic Trestle-Board

5.      2 Burial Service Books

6.      21 Printed prayers (Solemn Strikes the Funeral Chimes)

7.      4 Officers and Members register

8.      2 Black ink pens

9.      23 Aprons

10.  1 Sprig of Acacia for the Master

11.  *Sprigs of Acacia for members

12.  1 Marshal’s baton (this may have to be put in from the regular regalia of the Lodge at the time of taking the box to the funeral).

  1. DINNERS AND FUNCTIONS
    1. The Stewards shall set up as many tables and chairs as directed by the Junior Warden.
    2. They shall ensure the tables are covered and set as directed by the Junior Warden.
    3. They shall sell meal tickets prior to the meal and record attendance as required.
    4. They shall collect all monies for meals and/or other events as directed and give to the Junior Warden with a proper accounting.
    5. Unless a caterer with a wait-staff has been engaged, they shall serve and wait upon the brethren and guests in the dining hall.
    6. They shall clean the tables and assist in the kitchen as needed prior to any socializing.
    7. The Senior Steward shall know how to properly and safely operate the dishwasher and other equipment in the kitchen, if provided. The Junior Steward shall learn how during his year as the Junior Steward.
    8. After most of the members have left, they shall break-down the tables and chairs and store them in the proper locations, leaving up the number of tables as the Junior Warden shall direct.
    9. They shall complete the cleaning of the kitchen including the floor and the dining hall. Most kitchens and dining rooms have brooms and mops for this purpose.
    10. They shall remove all rubbish in plastic bags provided to an appropriate container for proper disposal.
    11. The Senior Steward is responsible to see that pitchers of fresh, cold water and clean cups are provided in the South, West and East of the lodge hall. On the second degree, there should be a cup of water available on the Treasurers desk for the Senior Deacon.
  2. CANDIDATES
    1. The Stewards shall assist the Junior Deacon in the reception and preparation of candidates. This is a very important function as it provides a “first impression” by the candidate. They should always treat the candidate with decorum, courtesy and with friendliness. It is important to impress upon them that we are gentlemen. Under no conditions should a candidate be made to feel uncomfortable, inferior, or fearful.
    2. They shall set out the candidate’s uniform, cable-tow, hoodwink, white socks, and proper slipper (1st right, 2nd left, 3rd none). For the second and third degrees they shall also lay out the candidate’s apron.
    3. They shall be present during the asking of the Three Questions by the Junior Deacon to the candidates. They shall learn these questions so as to be able to ask them in the second half of their term, is asked by the Junior Deacon.
  3. During balloting, the Senior Steward should station himself at any additional door in the lodge room as necessary.
  4. The Senior Steward may, depending on lodge traditions, be responsible for the candidates learning their third degree cipher and demonstrating their proficiency in the same. The candidates should be ready no later then three days prior to the next communication. When the candidates are ready, the Senior Stewards should inform the Senior Deacon and the Master.
  5. He is to serve on the lodge’s Greeting Committee, along with the Inside Sentinel, Junior Steward, and Deacons. He should greet every brother who enters the lodge room prior to the start of the meeting.
  6. The Senior Steward should be required to plan one social event for the year. A logical choice would be a Ladies Night for members and their ladies. He must arrange for a meal, entertainment, facilities, and a small gift for the ladies. The specifics are left to him and will demonstrate to the lodge his administrative and managerial skills and capabilities.
  7. The Stewards should plan on representing the lodge at the annual Grand Master’s Country Fair held on the grounds of the Masonic Home in Charlton. This is usually held the Sunday before Father’s Day. There are upwards of 20,000 visitors to the Masonic Home that day and many hands make for light work.
  8. He will ensure there is ample assistance each month for the collating, stuffing and sorting of the monthly lodge notices as necessary.
  9. It is recommended that he attended some of the Official and Fraternal Visits of the District Deputy Grand Master of his Masonic District. It is the prerogative of the DDGM whether he is invited on the suite, but he must be in a tuxedo. Most DDGM’s will gladly extend an invitation unless there is an exceptionally large suite.