23-1 Examining a First Time Visiting Brother

Examining a first time visiting Brother

(Guide which is used in Melbourne Lodge No. 143, F.& A.M., and as a Masonic Education Talk in Lodge.)

Welcome all visitors with courtesy and a hearty welcome. Make all Brothers feel welcomed and to feel at home. (It is sometime intimidating for First Time Visitors who have not been in lodge for many years. Make them feel at ease.)

Inform the Senior Deacon and/or Worshipful Master that there is a visiting Brother who requires examination.

The Worshipful Master will assign a committee of 2-3 members to exam the visiting Brother.

The Chairman of the Examining Committee will gather the following:

Holy Bible

Tyler’s Oath from the Florida Masonic Monitor (Examing Brother should know it by memory)

‘List of Lodges-Masonic’ Grand Lodge of Florida Item No. 1354

Visitors’ Register Card (when completed, give to Senior Deacon)

Melbourne Lodge No. 143 visitation card (when completed, give to Worshipful Master who will present it to the Visiting Brother during the meeting)

The Chairman, members of the committee, and visitor will retire to a private room.

The Chairman and members of the committee should show their Dues Cards to the visiting Brother.

The Chairman will request to examine the Dues Card and a picture I.D. of the visiting Brother

The Chairman will check that the Lodge named on the visiting Brother’s Dues Card is listed in the ‘List of Lodges-Masonic’ available from the Grand Lodge of Florida.

All committee members will exam the Picture I.D, and Dues Card

If the Lodge listed on the Dues Card is not in the Directory, the Chairman will simply state that the Rules and Regulations of the Grand Lodge of Florida only allow entry by visitors from a recognized Lodge.

If the visitor’s Lodge is in the ‘List of Lodges-Masonic’, then proceed with the Tyler’s Oath. (should be delivered by memory)

After the Tyler’s Oath, and all are satisfied, then

Show the visiting Brother to the Tyler’s room. Introduce the visiting Brother to the Tyler and all in attendance with whom the visiting Brother comes in contact. After the visiting Brother signs the Attendance Register and is attired with an apron, show him into the Lodge and if possible have a member sit with him.

Give the visiting Brother’s Visitor’s Register card (filled in with name, address, home lodge and location, signed by the Examining Committee to the Senior Deacon. The Senior Deacon will introduce the first time visiting Brother and the Worshipful Master will follow-up accordingly. The Worshipful Master will present the visitation card with his signature to the visiting Brother.

The Senior Deacon will give the completed Visitor’s Register card to the Tyler for filing in the card file in the Tyler’s room.

Tyler’s Oath (as printed in the ‘Florida Masonic Monitor’, dated 1995, refer to pages 7-10, with additional notes)

(All present at an examination conducted on a catechism to see if a Brother is eligible to visit a Lodge must take the Tyler’s Oath. This does not apply when a Brother is being examined for advancement to another Degree.)

(The Chairman of the Examining Committee will be referred to as “Chairman”.)

Chairman: (Speaking to all present.)

Each of you will place your right hand upon the Holy Bible. (done)

Each of you will say: “I”, -------- (done)

pronounce your name, -------- (done)

and repeat after me.

Do solemnly swear or affirm.

All Others: (Repeat)

Chairman: That I have been regularly initiated and Entered Apprentice.

All Others: (Repeat)

Chairman: passed to the degree of Fellow Craft,

All Others: (Repeat)

Chairman: and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason.

All Others: (Repeat)

Chairman: in a regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons.

All Others: (Repeat)

Chairman: and that I am not laboring under any charge of suspension or expulsion from the Order,

All Others: (Repeat)

Chairman: and know of no reason why I should not be allowed to sit with my Brethren,

All Others: (Repeat)

Chairman: so help me God.

All Others: (Repeat)

Chairman: All present will kiss the Holy Bible.

Chairman: Invite committee members to exam visiting Brother to satisfy themselves. (Special attention should be given to NOT be tricky or intimidating. Help them if necessary to refresh their memory. After the committee is satisfied, review the signs, etc. for Opening and Closing Ceremonies as a final refresher.)

Chairman: Invite the visiting Brother to ask any question.

Chairman: Ask if all committee members are satisfied. When all are satisfied, extend a friendly handshake and welcome the visiting Brother to Melbourne Lodge. Return the picture I.D. and Dues Card to the visiting Brother. Finally, introduce the visiting Brother to the Worshipful Master and Tyler so that he can sign the Attendance Register.

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