THE DEACONS
“...to attend the Worshipful Master and assist the Wardens....”
Your duties are outlined in the Book of Forms and Ceremonies, in that section dealing with Installation of Lodge Officers, in the by-laws of your Lodge, with which you should be familiar, and any additional Duties of Lodge Officers booklet provided by your lodge. Many lodges require officers to be responsible for certain parts of the ritual work. Know what those are.
One of your important duties is to conduct candidates through the various degrees. This should be done in a firm and friendly manner, so as to impart a sense of confidence to the candidate as he enters new and strange surroundings. It is very important to ensure that the candidate is put at ease in the preparation room prior to entering the lodge room.
Your rods are emblems of your authority and as such should always be carried in the performance of your duties about the lodge, except as required by your lodge ritual and historical practice when attending the Great and Lesser Lights, and when transmitting the Word.
Your rods should be carried in accordance with the protocol or procedures of your lodge. Otherwise, they should be carried at a slight forward angle from the body (approx. 30°), never in a horizontal position. You may salute with a slight forward movement of your rods, bringing them back to your sides.
In those lodges where the Deacons’ rods are held crossed and interlocked while the candidate is assuming his obligation, the rods should be held behind the candidate and lowered the moment he has sealed his obligation.
When receiving the Grand Master, the District Deputy Grand Master, or a Grand Lodge officer on an official visit, you should meet him at the entrance to the lodge room, cross your rods over him, and escort him to the altar, lowering your rods as the officer leaves the altar to approach the east, and return to your places.
When a Grand Lodge officer is retiring from the lodge room, in open lodge, you should meet him at the altar, cross your rods over him and retire with him to the entrance door, lowering your rods as the officer leaves the lodge room. You should be directed to do this at the time by the Worshipful Master.
It is necessary that you know your work thoroughly, as you are the officers who perform most of the floor work of the lodge. The successful performance of the degrees, and other ceremonies, depends in large measure upon the skill and ability with which you conduct yourselves. For this reason it is essential that you attend all communications of your lodge, particularly practices and rehearsals. A study of the various sections of this booklet is recommended to you, which you will find most helpful as you progress to the more important and responsible offices of the lodge. Call upon the Director of Ceremonies for instructions and for questions that may arise during a practice.
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