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Just as the individual is the foundation of our
Society of Friends and Brothers, so is the Masonic Lodge the fundamental
organization
of it. This basic unit of the organization is sometimes called the "Blue
Lodge”, sometimes, the Craft Lodge, but it always
operates under standards prescribed by a Grand Lodge. There
is no higher
Masonic authority
than a Grand Lodge, and each Grand Lodge is the sovereign
authority within the State or Country over which it claims
jurisdiction.
The Grand Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Texas, is
the supreme
governing authority over every Lodge in Texas. Its chief officer
has the title Grand Master, and he is known as the Grand Master
of Masons
in Texas, signifying his election by the Masons of Texas, whose
votes are cast by their duly elected representatives. He acts
for all of
the Masons collectively who live within the State and are members
of its Lodges.
The Officers of the individual Lodge are the Worshipful
Master (the term worshipful being used after the old English manner,
meaning respected),
and the Senior and Junior Wardens. The term Warden means "watcher" or
supervisor, taken from the old English term as used by the stonemasons
of the eighteenth century. In addition, the Lodge has a Treasurer and
Secretary, as well as two Deacons. Both of the latter are messengers
who carry messages at the direction of the Master or the Senior Warden
to others about the Lodge, as the occasion may require. These two brethren
also see to the accommodation of visitors when the Lodge is assembled.
There are also Stewards, who see to the preparation of food and its service,
and perform other duties. There is a Chaplain, charged with offering
prayers and reading the Bible at certain times. The officer outside the
door is the Tiler, or Tyler, who guards the Lodge from intrusion.