In petitioning for the Three Degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry we desired presumably to become a member of the order that we might enjoy the fraternal fellowship of the bretheren and that we might be serviceable to our fellowmen. It will be helpful to us to have some conception of what lodge membership implies.

We become a member by receiving the three degrees. We become entitled to all the rights and privileges of membership by proving our proficiency in each degree. By taking the obligations of the degrees and by signing the bylaws, we enter into a contractual relationship with the lodge, wherein, we bind ourselves to perform certain rights and privileges.

One of our first duties shall be loyalty to the Fraternity and to our superior officers and obedience to the laws. This is a fundamental requirement.

We have etiquette, customs and courtesies in our day as referring to the "forms" required by good breeding, or prescribed by authority, to be observed in social and official life. It is not the result of law, but rather of tradition, custom, and usage.  Like good manners, it has behind it only the force of opinion.

We learn these customs and courtesies only by attendance at communications, through careful reading and by conversing with well-informed brethren. In this generation of speed, we are too prone to initiate, pass, and raise our candidates in a  hurry. Unless our Ritual makes an impression, their future appearance at meetings may be very infrequent. Consequently Masonic Customs and Courtesies are virtually unknown to them.

Actually, we come to our Fraternity to learn to subdue our baser passions, improve ourselves in the areas of our teachings, and promote equality, unity, and fellowship. Our subject does not confine itself to the Ritual alone, but reaches out and gives us help in meeting, greeting, and transacting business. It does not apply to officers only, but includes those on the sidelines, lifting their understanding of our association as brethren. While there are no penalties for breaches, one soon learns of intangible rewards for observance of the rules and ceremonies of good manners.

In our research many clippings, papers, and some entire books were read, presenting a wealth of material. In order to circumscribe ourselves and keep within the bounds of available time, three large areas applicable to conditions in our jurisdiction were decided upon.

The first concerns those courtesies most closely pertaining to the Worshipful Master. It is practically universal that brethren do not pass between the Altar and the East while the lodge is at labor, except in procession during a degree. This courtesy is rooted in the thought that the Master should have the Great Lights always in view. The three Great Lights are as essential to regularity as the Charter. They are the particular care of the Master. The Altar of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness was the Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holy of Holies, of the Israelites. The Priest could enter it for certain special purposes, but it was never a passageway. So, the precinct between the Altar and the East is sacred ground. No one should interrupt the Master's constant view except officers in the proper course of their duties, either for business or to conduct candidates during the ceremony of initiation.

The Worshipful Master in the East occupies the most exalted position of the Lodge. A lodge which does not honor its Master, not because of what he himself may be, but on account of the honor given him, is lacking in Masonic courtesy. The position he occupies, not the man, must be given the utmost respect if the traditions of the Fraternity are to be observed.

The Altar may be draped as a mark of respect to a dead brother; if so the draping is of black cloth. The Altar should not be draped in any flag; it is direspectful to the flag to place anything upon it, and not even the flag should cover the Altar.

In keeping with this tradition, there are certain other things to mention. When balloting at the Altar the ballot box should be placed on the Altar, not on the three Great Lights, obscuring them. Nothing but the square and compass should rest upon the Book of Law. Perhaps we should mention here that it is not good Masonic Manners to lay aprons on the Volume of Sacred Law after closing lodge. Give them to the Tyler, or return them to the place from whence they came. In many lodges I have observed that as soon as lodge is closed the Senior and Junior Stewards take a position at the Altar and collect the aprons from the Craft.

You were told that the due guard and sign should always be given when entering or retiring from the Lodge. These salutations should be given accurately, not in a careless or slipshod style, but in a manner to show respect for the office to which the salute is made. Also, Brethren often retire when they should not. How often, after the work of the degree and when the candidate is seated to receive the lecture there is a stampede of the Brethren asking permission to leave. This practice of so many getting up and leaving the Lodge room tthe moment the work is completed destroys to a great extent, the good effect that may have been made upon the mind of the candidate by an excellent rendition of the work. It is also disrespectful to the officers of a lodge for so many to retire when there is no apparent reason why they should not remain until Lodge is closed.

A second group of customs and courtesies concerns the brethren in general. There are many opportunities in the conduct of business for the observance of little niceties of behavior. When speaking either for discussion or to make or second a motion, the brother should rise; make the sign; address the Worshipful Master as such; wait for his recognition; then state the purpose in seeking the privilege of the floor. There should never be two or more brethren with their feet simultaneously endeavoring to out-shout each other. The gavel is the Master's emblem of rulership. He should never have to use it to stop rowdyism on the Lodge floor.

Other officers should be addressed by their title; individual members as "Brother." We do not attend Lodge in our private capacities, but as Master Masons.

In a discussion in the lodge room, these prohibitions are enjoined upon us: never indulge in sectarian arguments; make no attempt to influence the vote on a petition; any use of personalities, either in bitterness or flippancy, is condemned.

Punctuality is a virtue. The Master can help in this by being in position to open lodge five minutes before starting time. If he sets a good example, his officers and the Craft will soon take the hint; time, the non-replaceable quality, will be saved. Punctuality in the business meeting is valued by the audience which may be looking forward to a degree, a speaker, an entertainment. Dawdling through business is as poor manners from officers as is exhibited by the late comers who put their convenience above the comfort of the brethren they disturb.

It is illegal to enter or leave the room during a ballot; failure to vote on a petition is common in many jurisdictions, but in Iowa every member present when a secret ballot is taken, or when a question is put, shall be and is, required to vote, if entitled to do so, unless excused by a unanimous consent of the lodge. In case of a secret ballot, it is declared un-Masonic for any brother to purposely seek out the character of another's vote. Each member voting is the sole judge of what the vote shall be, and he shall not be questioned.

Acts of courtesy and good manners should be strictly adhered to when one enters or leaves the Lodge and during the time it is at labor. Every Mason is charged to observe the solemnity of our ceremonies. No levity is permitted at any time during the conferring of the three degrees. There is nothing to excite one's mirth; especially is this true at that point in the drama of the Third Degree, when so many are inclined to laugh. Surely, there would be no inclination to laughter were we witnessing the contemptible crime being enacted.

The manner of wearing the apron is controversial, but should not be. It is the peculiar garb of a Mason; it is an emblem of equality. If worn under the coat, it can be completely hidden. Aprons should be worn outside the coat and be put on before entering the lodge room. No brother should enter the lodge and approach the Altar to salute hurriedly endeavoring to tie his apron. He should be clothed when he passes the Tyler's door.

As soon as a Brother enters a Masonic Temple to attend a communication he comes under the sway of Masonic Etiquette. He should not indulge in loud talk that may be heard in the Lodge, and his demeanor toward other brethren he may meet there should be courteous and respectful -- there no more than elsewhere, does Masonry give any man license to take personal liberties with another. This is especially true if candidates are present waiting their call to the preparation room; to give them the impression that vulgar conduct, levity, practical joking, or other forms of disrespect are counteanced by the Craft is a misrepresentation of the lodge. The Tyler has it especially in his charge to see that the anteroom, his own particular quarters, oberves the same decorum as all other precincts of the Temple. One should always enter through the Tyler's door -- never through the preparation room door. The latter is for candidates only. Every member of the lodge guards the preparation room door and the key which locks and unlocks it is the ballot.

Let us consider, for a moment, the Investigating Committee. The Masonic Fraternity is not in any sense an institution which has for its purpose, the reformation of undesirable characters. If the petitioner is not of good morals and upright before God and man and of good report befor the world, his petition should not be presented.

The Investigating Committee is for the purpose of double checking the petitioner's character and qualifications. It is unthinkable that a single member of this committee will fail in his duty to delve deep into the past record of the petitioner in order to ascertain his past conduct, his reputation among his friends and neighbors, and also, his mental and moral qualifications. Or that he will pass over it lightly, because he happens to be recommended by a brother known to him, and for whom he has a high regard, since the judgment of no man is infallible.

A faithful performance of duty will not only add to the stature of one's own character, and enhance his usefulness to his brethren, but by so doing, he will be showing due respect and courtesy for the Master of his lodge.

The petitioner must be shown every respect and courtesy, too. The committee will, perhaps, be the first Masonic contact outside those recommending him for the degrees. His opinion of the Fraternity and his desire to become a member of it, having been crystallized by the character of those known to him, must not be shattered by a breach of etiquette. Further, it will require all the skill, tact, and courtesy a committee possesses to actually find out the standing and reputation in his community, and among his associates and friends.

The third, but far from the least important group to be discussed, will concern those who come to our Lodges for some special reason. By all means this should include the interpretation of the Ritual as it pertains to the candidate. He is the most important person in the room, for he has come to our Altar to receive light. He, not the officers, should be the focus of attention. Our teachings portray to the seeker as acts in a play portray. It is an unpardonable sin for an actor to get out of character. This is true of our youth in high school, of a community group in a little theater, or of a professional. When we portray a part, we must submerge our personality in that of the production. There is nothing resembling comedy in our degrees; neither is there any place for roughing, mauling, or physical manhandling of the candidate. In fact, there is some of the greatest drama ever written. It should be so interpreted by the officers who are actors on a stage for the night.

There are many little duties imposed upon you as a Mason. It is expected that Masons will call upon their brethren who are sick and look after their welfare. Do not fail to attend the funeral of your deceased brethren. If there is a time on earth when a Mason's family needs the warmth and sympathy of the Fraternity it is in the trying hour when the head of the family has been called to his final rest. To visit the sick and bury the dead are sacred Masonic duties.

Every lodge of any status has visitors. The entertainment of these brethren is not only a solemn obligation, but also a wonderful prvilege. One of the oldest of God's truths is that we gain only by sharing. Every person who enters our hall to fellowship should be made welcome. It should include a courteous  introduction, a word of greeting by the Worshipful Master, and individual attention during the hour of refreshment, with a sincere request to every visitor that enters our portals to come again. This pays dividends in goodwill, shared ideas, and expanded influence. We should not forget that every member of our own  lodge is entitled to a friendly greeting and that some are by nature retiring while others of us are more aggressive.

If the Lodge is taking advantage of the many services of the Lodge Service Committee, speakers are coming frequently. It is the obligation of the Worshipful Master, or the program chairman, to inform the guest in advance, by mail, of the exact nature of the meeting, the part he is expected to take, and his time allotment. The speaker should be properly introduced by the presiding officer; ample time should be allowed for his message; there should never be an anti-climax of "a few remarks from the Master of the neighboring lodge" following the principal address. The speakers are devoted brethren who are giving their time, talents, and energies in spreading Masonic truth. Each one deserves a hearty welcome, courteous audience, and an opportunity for fellowship. This is not the responsibility of just one brother; everyone has an obligation.

Many of our Lodges have the custom of honoring their Past Masters. There are many ways of doing this and it is a wise lodge which varies its procedure. However, this does not end our accountability, for there are actually three other classes of brethren who have occupied the East -- Past Master of consolidated lodges, affiliated Past Masters, and sojourning Past Masters. During the years Iowa has had several consolidations. The Past Masters of these lodges should be accepted into the fellowship and duly recognized.

A basic teaching of the Parable of the Vine and the Branches is: "Life comes only from life." Masonic life certainly comes in part from the Grand Lodge. Today in our Fraternity, the personnel of the official family for any year is reasonably well distributed throughout the various geographic areas; further, the officers concerned accept many invitations to visit. The lodges are privileged to invite these brethren to fellowship; they have a responsibility to recieve them according to the prescribed creemonial of the Order. Good Masonic Manners remind us that our Grand Master, and only he, is entitled to receive the private Grand Honors. His officers, and all Past Grand Lodge Officers, are received with the Public Grand Honors.

We are too inclined to park our manners with our cars. We have been careless with those niceties which are the hallmark of a gentleman. We have been inclined to feel that we are of the West, where "men are men" and charm is a monopoly of the Eastern Star. Etiquette is not something reserved for a particular group, a large metropolitan lodge, or the Grand Lodge. It belongs to all of us if we care to appropriate it.

Remember -- in every moment of your life -- in public -- at work -- at pleasure -- with your family -- even when you are alone -- your are a Mason. The non-Masons who know you will judge each of us and Masonry itself, by the way in which you conduct yourself. You have in trust the reputation of every one of us -- do not betray that trust.

-Material used taken from : Short Talk Bulletin, Ivan Maxson, and assembled by T.G. Zacharias, P.G.M.