Q. When a ballot is being conducted, I have heard two different responses by the Wardens to the Master's question regarding the ballot. One was"clear," the other "favorable." Which is correct?

A. The preferred wording is "clear.".

Q. During an Official Visit of the District Deputy Grand Master, why does he call on the District Deputy Grand Secretary before the District Deputy Grand Treasurer, rather the the usual order followed in opening a lodge or installing lodge officers?

A. Because the District Deputy Grand Master needs to know whether the "records are in correspondence," that is, that the lodge's records confirm the accuracy of the Grand Lodge Return, before collecting the money stated on that report.

Q. Is it mandatory that the Worshipful Master wear a top hat?

A. Many Masters prefer to wear the top hat but it is not required.

Q. May a Past Master, working in the East, wear a top hat?

A. No, only the presiding Master may wear the top hat.

Q. May more than one person be "covered" in the lodge at the same time?

A. In Massachusetts, only one brother may be covered. That brother is the highest ranking Mason present. If the District Deputy Grand Master is in attendance, the Worshipful Master is uncovered. (The DDGM will sometimes remove his hat upon request so that the Master may be covered when conferring degrees.) Should the Grand Master be there, he is the only one covered and that it is with the traditional tricorn.

Q. Who is permitted to "raise" a candidate in Massachusetts?

A. A past or presiding Master of a lodge from any Masonic jurisdiction recognized by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. However, Massachusetts ritual must be used. As noted in the Winter 2005 issue, a Senior or Junior Warden may do Master's work in his own lodge.

Q. I have seen Marshal spelled with one and two Ls. Which is correct?

A. In Massachusetts, Marshal is always spelled with just one.

Q. May the Worshipful Master receive a non-Mason in the East of his Lodge at any time?

A. The Master may only receive a non-Mason in the East if the lodge is at recess, or is holding a public installation or other public ceremnoy such as a Joseph Warren Medal presentation.

Q. I am planning to visit several foreign countries on a vacation trip. How do I make arrangements to visit a Masonic Lodge in another country?

A. You should contact the Grand Secretary in Massachusetts. His office will help you make the arrangements.

Q. What is the correct way to wear my Masonic ring?

A. There is no established way to wear your Masonic ring. Some say that the compasses should point toward you as a reminder of your Masonic obligations. Others contend that the points of the compasses should aim away from you to show the world that you are proud Mason.

Q. I am confused. I am a Past Master, a Past District Deputy Grand Master, and a Past Warden of the Grand Lodge. I serve as a lodge officer. Which apron should I wear?

A. You should always wear the apron of your highest office. If you are currently a Grand Lodge officer, you should wear the apron and collar of that office.

Q. How should my apron be worn at Lodge meetings?

A. Aprons should be worn over the tuxedo or business suit jacket, not under the jacket.

Q. What is the correct method for the Marshal to extinguish the lights?

A. By a simple bow. The baton should not be used as a pointer.

Q. Now that the minmum age has been reduced to 18, may an application be balloted upon before turning 18?

A. Yes, but he may not receive the Entered Apprentice degree until he is actually 18 years of age.

Q. How many lapel pins may I wear on my tuxedo or morning coat when attending a Masonic meeting?

A. The Grand Master has stated that it is improper for any pins to be worn on the lapel of a tuxedo or a morning coat at any Masonic function.

Q. I have heard the word brothren pronounced in different ways. What is the correct pronounciation?

A. The correct pronounciation is exactly the way it is spelled, namely breth-ren. Please note that it is a two syllable word.

Q. What is the proper type of hat to be worn by the Master of the Lodge or the District Deputy Grand Master?

A. Since the officers generally wear tuxedos, a top hat is the proper type of covering within a Masonic Lodge in our jurisdiction. Other styles of hats are not approriate.

Q. What is the distinction between due and ample form?

A. A Lodge is opened and closed by its Master in "in due form", meaning according to the ancient usages and customs, the laws and rituals, of its Grand Lodge. When the Grand Master opens and closes a Grand Lodge (or a particular Lodge) he is said to do it in "ample form." In some jurisdictions the Grand Master will shorten the common ritual, to save time, but his power and authority are "ample" to accomplish his purpose, regardless of the manner in which he does it.

Masonic Misconceptions
A misconception is defined as a delusion or misunderstanding.

Q. The Thirty-third Degree in the Scotish Rite is the highest Degree in Freemasonary.

A. Correction: The Master Mason or Third Degree is the "highest" Degree in our Fraternity. The 33 degree is an Honorary Degree conferred by the Scotish Rite upon Scotish Rite Masons who have made substantial contribution to Freemasonary or to society bringing credit to the Fraternity.

Masonic Trivia

Q. Why is thorough and tough questioning by the police called giving the suspect the "third degree"?

A. The term acutally come from Freemasonry, from the very difficult tests of proficiency that a Mason must undergo to achieve the third degree of the order, that of Master Mason. Although there is no brutality, physical or mental, in the Masonic exam, its thoroughness in the 1890s began to give its name to police questioning in crime cases.