One of Freemasonry's objectives is the making of better men. This it endeavors to do by teaching. It aims to inculcate in the minds of those who come into it some of those virtues which are recognized as prerequisites for a better life. Its teachings include brotherhood, morality, justice, tolerance, citizenship, educations and freedom of ideas, of religious choice, of expression.
The worth of the individual in society is another of its prime objectives, but it believes that this worth is only achieved by the recognition of the corresponding responsibility which must accompany each privilege the individual enjoys. Upon this premise, right may be exercised properly only as long as they do not infringe those belonging to one's neighbor. This principle finds its highest expression in the term "brotherly love" which teaches us to regard the whole human race as one common family, who are sent into the world to aid, support and protect each other.
The Officers of the individual Lodge are the Worshipful Master (the term worshipful being used after the old English manner, meaning respected); the Senior and Junior Wardens. The term warden means "watcher" or supervisor, taken from the old English term as used by the stonemason 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, its service, and perform other duties. There is a Chaplain, charged with offering prayers and reading the Bible at certain times. The officer without the door is the Tiler or Tyler, who guards the Lodge from intrusion.
