Perfect ASHLAR A MANUAL for THE USE Of NEW JERSEY LODGES Revised 2018 1 THE PERFECT ASHLAR A MANUAL FOR THE USE OF NEW JERSEY LODGES Table of Contents Contents INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 6 FREEMASONRY IN THE WORLD .......................................................................................................... 7 FREEMASONRY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ................................................................ 8 FREEMASONRY IN NEW JERSEY ......................................................................................................... 9 THE GRAND LODGE OF NEW JERSEY .............................................................................................. 10 LANDMARKS .......................................................................................................................................... 11 ANCIENT CHARGES (OF 1722) ............................................................................................................ 12 GRAND LODGE OFFICER’S DUTIES .................................................................................................. 16 Appointed Grand Lodge Officers Duties ............................................................................................... 17 GRAND LODGE COMMITTEES ........................................................................................................... 19 GRAND LODGE SPECIAL COMMITTEES .......................................................................................... 21 MASONIC CHARITY FOUNDATION ................................................................................................... 22 THE MASONIC VILLAGE AT BURLINGTON .................................................................................... 23 GRAND LODGE OFFICE ........................................................................................................................ 25 THE HISTORIC TRENTON MASONIC TEMPLE ................................................................................ 25 GRAND INSTRUCTOR ........................................................................................................................... 27 GRAND LODGE COMMITTEE ON RITUAL ....................................................................................... 27 NATIONAL MASONIC BODIES ............................................................................................................ 28 MASONIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION of NORTH AMERICA ......................................................... 28 MASONIC MODEL STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ............................................................ 29 NORTHEAST CONFERENCE OF GRAND MASTERS .................................................................... 29 CONFERENCE OF GRAND MASTERS OF MASONS IN NORTH AMERICA ............................. 29 GEORGE WASHINGTON MASONIC NATIONAL MEMORIAL ................................................... 30 FAMILY OF FREEMASONRY ........................................................................................................... 31 YORK RITE .......................................................................................................................................... 31 SCOTTISH RITE .................................................................................................................................. 32 ANCIENT ARABIC ORDER NOBLES OF THE MYSTIC SHRINE ................................................ 32 ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ORDER OF SCIOTS ..................................................................................... 33 TALL CEDARS OF LEBANON .......................................................................................................... 33 ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR ..................................................................................................... 33 ORDER OF THE AMARANTH ........................................................................................................... 33 ORDER OF THE GOLDEN CHAIN .................................................................................................... 33 INTERNATIONAL ORDER OF DEMOLAY ..................................................................................... 34 INTERNATIONAL ORDER OF RAINBOW FOR GIRLS ................................................................. 34 2 JOB’S DAUGHTERS ........................................................................... 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THE MASONIC DISTRICT ...................................................................................................................... 35 DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER ................................................................................................ 36 District Deputy Grand Master’s Duty ....................................................................................................... 36 District Ritual Instructor’s Duty ............................................................................................................ 36 District Lodge of Instruction ................................................................................................................. 36 Masters and Wardens Association ......................................................................................................... 36 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER .................................................................................................................... 37 POWERS OF THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER ........................................................................................ 38 AUTHORITY OF THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER ................................................................................. 39 WORSHIPFUL MASTER LEADERSHIP SKILLS................................................................................. 40 Responsibilities of the Worshipful Master ................................................................................................ 40 Duties to the Lodge ............................................................................................................................... 40 Duties to the Membership...................................................................................................................... 40 Duties To the District ............................................................................................................................ 41 Implementing Successful Programs and Events ........................................................................................ 41 Worshipful Master Leadership in Lodge Meetings ................................................................................... 43 THE MASONIC LODGE ........................................................................................................................... 45 LODGE COMMUNICATIONS................................................................................................................ 46 ANNUAL NOMINATION OF LODGE OFFICERS ............................................................................... 47 ANNUAL ELECTION OF LODGE OFFICERS ..................................................................................... 48 MASONIC LODGE BUDGETING .......................................................................................................... 50 INVESTMENT OF LODGE FUNDS ....................................................................................................... 51 YEARLY LODGE CALENDAR .............................................................................................................. 53 YEARLY LODGE CALENDAR .......................................................................................................... 54 LODGE COMMITTEES ........................................................................................................................... 55 THE TRESTLEBOARD ........................................................................................................................... 57 OFFICIAL VISITS .................................................................................................................................... 59 A. The Grand Master's Official Visit..................................................................................................... 59 B. Official Visit of the District Deputy Grand Master .......................................................................... 61 DISPENSATION ...................................................................................................................................... 62 LODGE OFFICER TRAINING PROGRAM ............................................................................................... 63 TABLE LODGE .......................................................................................................................................... 71 BACKGROUND ....................................................................................................................................... 72 SUGGESTED TABLE LODGE AGENDA .............................................................................................. 73 SUGGESTED TOAST ASSIGNMENTS ................................................................................................. 74 WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S CHARGE TO THE BRETHREN ............................................................... 75 TOAST PROCEDURE The Worshipful Master or Toastmaster says: ....................................................