Lodge Burroughs Strange No. 87
Vijayawada, India

In dealing with such a complex subject it is difficult to lay down any hard and fast rules. It is perhaps as well, to bear firmly in mind the charge given to us after the Annual Installation of a new worshipful Master.

"Humility in each is an essential qualification."

Bearing that charge firmly in mind, the subject should be considered more as a case of "what one ought to do" rather than "what one is entitled to do."

We in India in general, and in Western India in particular, have a most unusual situation (not experienced anywhere else in the Masonic world) of having four different Constitutions with their own peculiar regalia, customs, traditions and even signs.

In terms of seniority which is determined by age, that is one when a Grand Lodge was founded, the line up is English, Irish, Scottish and our own Grand Lodge of India which is the youngest of the four bodies. You would all have noticed on numerous occasions, and particularly at the last Meeting of the Regional Grand Lodge of Western India, the processional entries of these four constitutions. The principle is the same as in any Lodge - that is, Junior first in and last out. The host, by virtue of Opening and Closing the Lodge, first in and last out.

In addition, we have in the Grand Lodge of India, four Regions whose precedence is regulated by the dates of the Original Appointments of their Regional Grand Master, at present it being West, East. South and North.

At Regional Grand Lodge Meetings, Sister Constitutions enter first, being the guests, followed by Sister Regions being Members of the same Grand Lodge as the Host Region.

REGALIA: "What to wear and when" seems to be a constant questions occurring all the time. The answer is simply a matter of good manners. The basic principle is of course, to wear the regalia of one's highest rank. That would be fine if we had only one Constitution as in other countries, but we have four. Thus, when attending a meeting of a Lodge of which you are a member, it is good manners to wear the Regalia of that Lodge. Thus a Past Deputy Grand master, Grand Lodge of India, should not normally enter his Lodge in full dress regalia with Chain and Gauntlets, thus making the Worshipful Master look like an office-boy. Such Grand Officer is bound to be a Past Master.

Hence a Past Master's Apron and Collar of that Lodge would be a proper dress, alternatively, an undress Apron and Collar of a Grand Officer could be worn. Since, however, economically, very few Grand Officers can afford both full-dress and undress regalia a Past Master's Apron and Collar would be best suited for such an occasion. If, however, such a Grand Officer is an Active Officer of the Lodge, such as Secretary, Director of Ceremonies, Chaplain or Treasurer, there is no problem, as he should be dressed in the Regalia of such an office.

In visiting other Lodges, again it depends on "where you go and who are you." A Grand or Regional Grand Officer, visiting a Lodge within the Grand Lodge of India, where he is not a member, does of course, wear the regalia of his highest rank in G.L.I. The same officer visiting a Lodge of Sister Constitution where he is or was a member, should naturally wear either a past Master's Apron and Collar of that Lodge if he is still a Member or District or Provincial Regalia (if he holds such a rank) if he is no longer a member. The same principle applies when visiting a Lodge of another Constitution, even if he was never a member of that Lodge, although a present or past member of another Lodge within that Constitution. In simple language, do not show off your high ranks of another Constitution, which you could not or did not gain in the original Constitution which you are again visiting. This comes under the heading of "humility in each." At times, it is better to avoid embarrassment and not to accept such invitations.

REGALIA at Grand or Regional Grand Functions: Whilst attending such functions, obviously the Regalia of the highest rank is worn. Needless to say, a Grand of Regional Grand Officer of the G. L. I. Cannot turn up in the regalia of a District or Provincial Officer of another Constitution. In our bodies we must wear our regalia. This is what our Grand Lodge and other Grand Lodge have prescribed. There may be cases, where a person may possess the regalia of a District or provincial Grand Officer but has not yet got round to providing himself with the regalia of G. L. I. In such cases, he must wear a simple Past Master's Apron and collar. Whilst acting as an Officer at Grand Lodge functions, a Regional functions, a Regional Grand Officer could be dressed (if he does not possess Grand Lodge regalia ) in Regional regalia, but a Grand Officer acting as an Officer at a Regional function, should refrain from being dressed in Grand Lodge regalia. This is particularly important in Regional deputations. The practice of Grand Officers presenting themselves in Grand officer'' regalia, whilst being called upon by the Regional Grand Master to attend hi in deputation, when they also hold active offices in the Region or to officiate for active officers, is not really recommended nor appreciated. As an example, I now hold the rank of Pas Deputy Regional Grand Master in the Region. Should I be called upon to attend the Regional Grand Master in deputation, I will obviously bring my Grand Lodge regalia, but in the event of being finally called upon to act as an active officer, such as Sword bearer, Director of Ceremonies or Warden at such a deputation, then I would obviously change my Grand Lodge regalia into Regional regalia, wearing the Collar of the Office I would be expected to Perform at such a deputation.

Seniority at Deputations: The rule is - an active rank takes precedence over a Past Rank, even though the latter may be higher. Thus a ruling Senior Regional Grand Warden in a Regional Deputation takes precedence over a Past Deputy Regional Grand Master. Again we come under the heading of "humility in each." It can cause no end of embarrassment if this rule is forgotten and someone decides to "pull rank."

Seating in Lodges: A simple rule to follow is - Members of the Lodge on the left of the Worshipful Master, always provided such visitors wear the regalia of such a rank. A ruling Worshipful Master of another Lodge should be seated on the right of the Worshipful Master if there are sufficient seats available, after accommodating Grand and Regional Grand Officers otherwise on his left, but a seat on the dais should be found. It is needless to say, that a Grand r Regional Grand Officer visiting a Lodge, wearing a Master mason's Apron, or a Past Master's Apron and Collar has no right to claim precedence - in fact, a Past Master wearing a Master Mason's Apron in most Lodges will simply not be asked to sit on the dais, nor can he claim to have been insulted. The Lodge Director of Ceremonies and the Worshipful Master are merely following the rule "accordingly to the cloth you wear".

Ruling Worshipful Master: A ruling Worshipful Master, visiting another Lodge does not wear his Worshipful Master's Collar. He merely wears an Apron with Levels but no Collar. Two Brethren wearing a Collar with the square would signify there are two Masters in the Lodge, which cannot be. It is also confusing to the Visitors. We have recently visited a Lodge where two Brethren wore the Collars of a Worshipful Master. Enquiries revealed that one was a visiting Worshipful Master of another Lodge and the other, whilst acting as the Worshipful Master, was in fact a Past Master of that Lodge. The Master's Collar can ONLY BE WORN BY HIMSELF AND NOBODY ELSE. A Past master occupying the Chair MUST wear a Past Master's Collar. Thus the presence of a Brother wearing an Apron with Levels but no Collar should indicate he is a visiting Worshipful Master. A past Master should wear a Past Master's Collar. If they do not have their own Pas Master's Collars, then a Master Mason's Apron will have to do. You have the rank - provide yourself with the insignia - or do not claim the privilege such a rank entails - is a golden rule.

Jewels: A Grand Officer, dressed in Grand Regalia does not wear any jewels whatsoever, except the Most Worshipful the Grand Master's Order of Service to Masonry, his regalia signifying he has reached the summit of his profession. A regional Grand Officer must use his own discretion in this respect though normally he should desist from wearing jewels attending any Regional function in Regional Regalia.

In Lodges, the first s the Royal Arch Jewel worn by all who have reached that Supreme Degree, indicating they have completed the cycle of their Mason's duties. This is then followed by a Past Master's Jewel, followed by a Founder's Jewel and ending with a Decennial Jewel. All these are entitled to any of these.

Past Z's jewels should not normally be worn in Craft Lodges, whilst Mark and Mariner Jewels must never be worn in Craft Lodges or Chapters.

In Royal Arch Chapters, it is again the Royal Arch Jewel followed by the Past Z. Jewel. Founders of Chapter (if any) and ending with Decennial Jewel. A Past Master's Jewel should not normally be worn in Royal Arch Chapters.

Salutations and Greetings: Grand and Regional Grand Officers are only entitled to salutations whilst leading deputations or acting as representatives of the Grand Master or the Regional Grand Master. The number of salutes are according to the number such a representative is himself entitled to. For example, a Deputy or Assistant Regional Grand Master is entitled to FIVE, but if he hold RIGHT WORSHIPFUL Rank, then he gets SEVEN, but a Brother representing a Regional Grand Master only gets the number of salutes according to his Grand Rank.

Greetings on behalf of Grand Lodge can only given when so authorised by Grand master by Officers holding RIGHT WORSHIPFUL Rank. Greetings on behalf of Regional Grand Lodge are given only by the Regional Grand Master, his Deputy or Assistant or by his representative, if so directed by the Regional Grand Master, not otherwise.

When greetings are tendered on behalf of other Lodges, a member of deputation may respond or associate by standing up when someone else is giving on behalf, but does not do so himself. Likewise, whilst attending meetings of a Lodge of which you are a member, you do not give greetings on behalf of another Lodge you may belong to, you can only associate yourself when someone else does so.

Greetings on behalf of other Lodges are given in the third enquiry, after the Secretary has finished and after Lodge members have made their proposals, if any.

Of Examination of Visitors: Unless you have "sat in Lodge" with such a visitor, or someone else present can vouch he has done so, do of embarrassment. Visitors cannot and will not mind such a examination.

Variations of Ritual: After the formation of the Grand Lodge of India, a directive was issued permitting the Foundation Lodges to follow the rituals they have followed up to then. Subsequently, Grand Lodge, after a lot of deliberations, have issued a separate rituals incorporating therein, what they consider the best features of the E. C., S. C. and I. C. rituals. These new rituals were to be followed by all Lodges which came into existence after the formation of Grand Lodge. What is today's result? In my opinion, a complete disregard of the directives or simply chaos. The Foundation Lodges in most cases use a combination of their old rituals with the Grand Lodge of India rituals. New Lodges invariably come out with their own interpretations, which they cover up under the heading of "tradition". The Foundation Lodges as well as new Lodges must scrupulously and efficiently follow the prescribed G. L. I. Rituals to the letter. Tradition cannot overrule a rituals prescribed by Grand Lodge. How often do we see the so called "short closing" in the Third and Second Degree? There is nothing in the Grand Lodge of India Ritual describing such "short closing". True, it has been tacitly permitted, but it is not right and to say the least is a slovenly method. It adds to the dignity of the ceremony if the closing is done in full, according to the ritual. In practice we find that Lodges who take pride in their working would not dream of "short closing". Is this, therefore, merely an excuse for not having bothered to practice such closing?

We have a Grand Lodge of our own with our own peculiar Ritual - why not follow it to the letter? You do not see Scottish or Irish Lodges using someone else's ritual. Why should we do so? A free evening when there are no candidates could with profit be utilised by practicing opening and closing ceremonies.

Rehearsal Ceremonies: Not every Lodge has a working at every meeting. In many instances the officers do a lot of study to prepare themselves for a particular ceremony only to find the candidate did not turn up. In such instances, the Worshipful Master would be well advised to direct a "rehearsal" of the ceremony which was to have been worked. It is a good practice for himself as well as all his officers and will keep alive the enthusiasm of the Junior Officers.

Deputations at Installation Meetings: In may Lodges, there is a practice of opening the Lodge at about lunch time, disposing of Lodge Minutes and other routine matters, opening in the Second and Third Degree, resuming in the first and "calling off". In the evening at the slated time the Lodge is received. Thus within a maximum of two hours the whole Installation Meeting is over. After all, Minutes of a Lodge is not of interest to any visitor, especially if it contains some "embarrassing" items. Nobody is interested in watching lengthy "openings". The purpose is to install the Worshipful Master - so let us see that ceremony rather than sit through forty-five minutes of purely routine business. I strongly recommend this practice - coupled with punctuality. Deputations are called for at 6.30 p.m. - and there are times when the Lodge is not ready to receive the Regional Grand Master for another hour. Thus tempers at times are somewhat strained.