From the Office of the Right Worshipful Grand Lecturer
The following list is something that not only the Worshipful Master should adhere to or those of you aspiring to make an ascent up the local or Grand Lodge line but all members of the craft. We should all be weary of our actions and how we hold ourselves in society for we are Masons and we are to act and appear as such in all of our undertakings. We too often think about the end goals of our actions needlessly thinking of what it takes to get there or what we are truly looking for in the end. We have an idea as to what we want, but do not always understand what we are asking for until we get there. I hope that this list will give you an idea as to what it means to be the Master of a Lodge and once there what actions you should take in order to be successful and not a burden on the craft or a black mark on Masonry as a whole. With this being said, Worshipful Masters:
Don't be a parrot.
Don't be a part of a man, but a whole one.
Don't be a fool and get the "big head."
Don't be untidy or careless in dress, speech or manners.
Don't be lazy and always behind time.
Don't go to sleep if you expect your lodge to be wide awake.
Don't sacrifice the interest of your lodge to create a boom for yourself.
Don't let your life give the lie to the principles you are expected to teach.
Don't permit your subordinate officers to be careless and indifferent.
Don't work on bad material. Better to surrender your charter.
Don't do your work in a half-hearted manner, but get its truths into your soul.
Don't imagine the office to be one of honor only. It is one of trust as well.
Don't imagine yourself the king bee, when you are the servant.
Don't think yourself a genius, as there may be some members of your lodge just as smart as you think that you are.
Don't forget that the standing of the lodge in your community is measured by your own standing.
Don't forget that the eye of the initiate will make an inventory of you, and judge the order accordingly.
Don't forget to consult the dictionary for the pronunciation of words.
Don't drag in the dispatch of business or work.
Don't pose as an oracle on Masonic law until you have looked, at least once, into the Constitutions and By-Laws let alone Mackey's Jurisprudence.
Don't forget to be courteous, affable and brotherly to visitors and members.
Don't permit delinquents to remain on the roll, and thus make a showing of a large membership.
Don't lose sight of the fact that quality makes a lodge and not quantity.
Don't try to "show off," dignity and good sense are the graces of a Master.
Don't belittle or cast doubt upon your predecessors in order to make yourself the shining light in the history of your lodge.
Don't forget to be always "on guard" for any duty that is to the interest of your lodge.
Don't forget that the lodge expects once and awhile, a few symptoms that there are some brains under the hat.
Don't forget to study every condition and aid to make your work effective as a means.
Don't stand on one leg, chew gum , nor lean on the altar, or any other shiftless or lazy position in giving the lectures, but stand on both feet, erect, dignified, and speak the speech with force.
Don't forget to keep awake, wide awake, awake always, awake a real, Watchful Master.
Fraternally Submitted
Edward J.A. Moore
Right Worshipful Grand Lecture
Reference : Canadian Craftsman, March 1891