interesting differences

Bropreston

Bropreston

New Member
Hello brethren, on the advice of Bob Franks I thought I`d start a new thread exploring our different "variations on a theme". Bob mention the roll of a director of ceremonies in english lodges...."WM W Bro…… I appoint you Director of Ceremonies of the Lodge and invest you with the Collar and Jewel of your Office. Your duty is to see that the Ceremonies of the Lodge are carried out with propriety and decorum, the visitors and brethren placed according to their rank and the officers in their respective stations. I therefore place in your hand this wand as a badge of your office and I trust that you will give to your duties the attention which their importance demands." this is from the instalation and gives a general idea of a DCs duty. The DC in my lodge, leads the brethren as they process into the lodge, places the master and wardens in there places,provides ( with the aide of the ADC) prompts when required,informs the visiting brethren when they can give greetings,informs the brethren when the master will retire etc. away from lodge nights the dc is often at the head of whatever plans there are for up coming rituals i.e which brethren will be involved etc, organises practices, offers extra practices or visits to those brethren who need help etc. hope this in some way answers your question Bob:) S&F Bropreston
 
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Gary

Guest
Sounds like what we call the Master of Ceremonies in my jurisdiction. Only your DC has more duties me thinks.

Very interesting.
 
Bropreston

Bropreston

New Member
mmmm different name same job then, would he also be very involved in the instalation? ie asking the WM " wm who do you appoint...." then collecting the brother, leading him to the front for the master to invest and place them back in their place?
 
Bob Franks

Bob Franks

Past District Deputy Grand Lecturer
Bropreston said:
Hello brethren, on the advice of Bob Franks I thought I`d start a new thread exploring our different "variations on a theme". Bob mention the roll of a director of ceremonies in english lodges...."WM W Bro…… I appoint you Director of Ceremonies of the Lodge and invest you with the Collar and Jewel of your Office. Your duty is to see that the Ceremonies of the Lodge are carried out with propriety and decorum, the visitors and brethren placed according to their rank and the officers in their respective stations. I therefore place in your hand this wand as a badge of your office and I trust that you will give to your duties the attention which their importance demands." this is from the instalation and gives a general idea of a DCs duty. The DC in my lodge, leads the brethren as they process into the lodge, places the master and wardens in there places,provides ( with the aide of the ADC) prompts when required,informs the visiting brethren when they can give greetings,informs the brethren when the master will retire etc. away from lodge nights the dc is often at the head of whatever plans there are for up coming rituals i.e which brethren will be involved etc, organises practices, offers extra practices or visits to those brethren who need help etc. hope this in some way answers your question Bob:) S&F Bropreston
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A lot of the duties sound like the office of Marshal. We only use the office casually in the AF&AM Lodges of NC, but I have seen it used in other jurisdictions as a permanent officer, complete with baton (or wand), and leading processions around the Lodge. As I have only seen it as a visitor, I cannot say how it works outside the Lodge.
We typically only have a procession into the Lodge for degree work, in robes. For Stated Communications, officers go to their places and stations after some socialization before time to open. Our officers usually 'clothe themselves' before opening.
In the one PHA Communication I have attended in this state, the Lodge does not clothe until the Master orders it.

Prompts are usually given by the cadre of PMs on the sideline. It sounds like a good idea to have a designated officer, like the DC, to give prompts, especially since they would more than likely be correct. :D

The WM typically appoints experienced Brothers to advise the degree teams for each degree (I advise for 1st & 3rd Degrees) and they coordinate with the teams to practice before degrees.

The WM usually directs the Senior Deacon to introduce the visiting brethren shortly after opening the Lodge.

I am not sure I understand, "...when the master will retire..." I think this would only happen in our Lodges when we Call from Labor to Refreshment.

GREAT discussion!

S&F
 
Bropreston

Bropreston

New Member
Bob, sorry I should have put the "retiring" bit better, you are quite correct when you say this happens as we close the lodge. The dc will stand after the closing ode, he will inform the brethren that the master will retire, proceded by his deacons, acompanied by his wardens(he will anounce all of this and place them in order), IPM, chaplain, grand officers etc "forward brethren" and out they go. Also at the festive board afterwards he we take a leading roll... eg "brethren the WM will now propose the first toast of the evening" or " brethren the WM would be delighted to take wine with the candidate" etc etc
 
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Gary

Guest
The Marshal isn't really active in our Lodge unless we receive dignitaries from GL or the DDGM, etc. He is responsible for escorting and introducing them.
 
berthemp

berthemp

New Member
In AZ. it also falls under the SD's duties. The Marshal is usually only active during EA when he propounds the usual interigations to the candidate. Or when calling the brethren to the sides of the altar for the obligation of the candidate during a degree.
 
Casey

Casey

MM, RAM, 32nd.
Ohio has a Marshal, but it's strictly honorary- he has no place in the typical working of the Lodge, as that is normally taken by the SD.
 
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