Lodge Burroughs Strange No. 87
Vijayawada, India

The Director of Ceremonies is an important Officer. The successful working of the Lodge and its ceremonies really depend on the Director of Ceremonies and the way in which he does his work.

It is the duty of the Director of Ceremonies to see that the ceremonies are carried out with propriety and decorum, to have the Visitors and Brethren seated according to their rank, and ensure that the Officers are in their proper places.

It will be advisable for the Director of Ceremonies to come to the Lodge a little earlier than the other Brethren and inspect the Lodge prior to the commencement of the Ceremony, to see that everything is in order and that all things required for the Ceremony are at hand and that the Warrant is placed in the Lodge room in its proper place.

The Director of Ceremonies should make himself acquainted not only with the precedence and order of Officers of the Lodge but also of Grand Officers, Present and Past, Regional Grand Officers, and the escorts and salutes due to distinguished Brethren.

In some Lodges, Music is played on the organ on suitable occasions. Nothing will add more to the solemnity of the proceedings of the Lodge than to here music played by a good organist and if there is one in the Lodge, the Director of Ceremonies should see that the organist is present.

Generally the Brethren enter the Lodge, before the opening, in a casual manner. In some Lodges in England, they used to enter in processions, E.A's first the F.C's, then M.M. of the Lodge, then Officers of the Lodge, the I.P.M., the Wardens, followed by the Master, after whom, the District Grand Lodge and Grand Lodge Officers and visitors. This entails much delay and this practice has been abandoned. But even now in some Lodges the Master and his wardens enter in procession preceded by the Deacons. The Deacons at the head cross wands by the L. of the Master's chair and after he has taken his place they proceed followed by the Wardens and the J.W. and S.W. respectively also pass under the wands to their seats. A similar procedure is adopted when the Master and his Wardens leave after the closing of the Lodge.

In these matters, there is no hard and fast rule, and each Lodge has its own traditions to follow. It is the duty of the Director of Ceremonies to attend to all details and to see that the collars and jewels, Gavels. Tracing Boards, columns of Wardens, the square pavement and the square and compasses are all in their respective places.

The Director of Ceremonies should not be too ostentatious or officious. If anything needs attention he should see to it quietly and as unobtrusively as possible.

Visitors should be properly escorted to their appropriate seats. The A. D. of C. may do this under the guidance and direction of the D. of C. It will also help the A.D. of C. to familiarise himself with his duties.

It will be a good gesture, if visiting P.M.'s and other Brethren of higher rank are met at the entrance and escorted by the D. of C.

Visitors from other Constitutions always add to the dignity and fraternal spirit. The Director of Ceremonies should receive them property and conduct them to their respective places.

The D. of C. should not forget the proper salutes that have to be given on formal occasions.

The Director of Ceremonies is the only officer in the Lodge who can or should move about freely without special direction but it should be done quietly and in a dignified manner.

During the proceedings in the Lodge, the D. of C. should watch the manner in which the ceremony is done by the respective officers and be ready to put right unobtrusively, anything that may not be properly done or omitted. His duty is not to precept but to see that essentials are not omitted.

The Director of ceremonies should keep a watchful eye when the ceremony in any of the three degrees is worked. Attention to details, faithful rendering of the ritual and close adherence to the Rubric are the essential features of a good Ceremony.

If an Assistant D. of C. is appointed in a Lodge, the D. of C. should give him friendly counsel and instruct him and teach him what he should do. Oftentimes the A. D. of C. merely wears his collar without making himself useful. The A. D. of C. should have sufficient knowledge to act in the absence of D. of C. This will be possible only if the A. D. of C. familiarises himself with the work of the D of C and takes an intelligent interest in how the D of C works.

It is not good to take advice from several Brethren when an officer is in doubt. It will lead to confusion. To avoid this, he should always look to the D. of C who knows the correct working. The duties of the D of C also extend to the Diner Table. He should see that the Tables are laid out in the form of three side joined by 2 others is the place of the Wor. Master. On his immediate left is the I.P.M., then the oldest Past Master of the Lodge and the other PMs according to their seniority.

An initiate is given the place of honour at the R. of W.M. and next to him the Grand Officers, and R. G. Officers. The S. W. is at the head of the outer cross table to the R. of W. M. and J. W. on the left. Sometimes before formal toasts are given certain challenging toasts ae proposed. The D of C should see that the etiquette is observed of not challenging Brethren of higher Masonic rank than oneself.

When Ladies Nights are held, the special instructions issued by Grand Lodge is regard to Toasts etc. should be strictly followed.

The Director of Ceremonies in a Lodge should be chosen with care. The Office is a very important one. There is a practice in some Lodges of offering it to a Past master in the order of seniority. Every Past Master need not necessarily be a good Director of Ceremonies. In appointing the officers, the Master Elect must have in view the real worth and merit of the Brethren who can discharge the duties appertaining to their office efficiently. It is much more so in the case of Director of Ceremonies who should be proficient in the ritual, well versed in the rules of procedure laid down in the rules of procedure laid down in the B of C, be alert and able to direct the Ceremonies with dignity. As Wor. Bro. Inman says "The appointment of a Director of Ceremonies must be of a competent Brother who is available and ready and willing to undertake the important duties appertaining to the Office for it may be truthfully said that a thoroughly efficient Director of Ceremonies is a boon and a blessing to the Master and indeed to the Lodge as a whole".

"Like other officer of the Lodge, the Director of Ceremonies also acts under the authority of the Master, but the nature of his office is such that he is regarded as the Master's adjutant and he is of necessity vested with considerable authority."

"An efficient Director of Ceremonies is an asset to the Lodge and fortunate indeed will be a Lodge which, in the Director of Ceremonies has found the right man in the right place."

It is essential that the D of C should be an expert in the Ritual of all the ceremonies, and master of Masonic Etiquette and Jurisprudence and conversant with the B of C.

One with a commanding appearance combined with a gentle and courteous demeanour will make a good D. of C, for on occasions that may arise, this important officer must speak with the voice of authority. It is desirable to have an experienced P. M. as D of C. who by his qualities can win the respect and regard and ready obedience of his younger Brethren.

"The Officer of D of C is essentially one of command. he should remember to combine firmness and dignity with tact and gentleness. All commands should be given distinctly but without undue shouting. to be too loud is to risk conveying a hint of arrogance. A quiet dignity in the execution of his duties earns the Director of Ceremonies respect and obedience. He should ever be careful to remember that the Worshipful Master rings supreme and there should never be the slightest suggestion that the Director of Ceremonies is endeavouring to rule the Lodge."

It can be truly said that the ideal D of C "should be one who combines courtly bearing with gentle firmness and surely arises his responsible office to the highest possible heights of dignified efficiency".