See if anyone disagrees with this: (if so, feel free to say so)
In the Kansas jurisdiction, the Worshipful Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden and Tyler are said to have a
station while all other officers have a
place. This terminology and usage varies somewhat in other jurisdictions.
In Germany, the Worshipful Master is said to have a
seat while the Senior and Junior Wardens each have a
place. This is because in the old rituals of the 18th century, all Brothers, including the officers, literally remained standing and only the Worshipful Master had a chair to sit. Today, everyone is seated but the Wardens knock their gavels on the pommel of their swords because they have no pedestal or other furniture to knock on.
http://myfreemasonry.com/#_edn1
In Australia, the Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens have a place while the Senior and Junior Deacons and the Inner Guard (Tyler) are said to have a situation.[ii]
The use of station and place have changed through the years in the United States, however many of the US jurisdictions denote the Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens as having a station while the remaining officers have a place. Kansas is somewhat outside the norm in that we conclude that the Tyler has a station. I personally believe this may be a misconception, and I will explain my thinking on this later.
In order to fully understand the difference, it is important to look at the root of the words as well as the psychological meanings each holds to the human ego. Station or sta refers to a fixed point; a beginning for a measurement; or originating from a specific point. Place is from the root plat, and means to spread or to have motion.
Thus, one is a fixed point and the other movement. They relate to the microcosm of the human psyche and it remains a good argument that the stations are parts of the psychological makeup of man and, likewise, the places are extensions of our interaction in the material world as they move on the mosaic of the material existence.[iii]
Place and situation have important meanings in the psychology of the ego as well. Both terms are found regularly grouped together in various Masonic rituals and relate specifically to communication and sense of perception. Again, one is fixed, the other not; one is capacity, the other potential. Capacity exists in the present, while potential relates to the past, present, and future.[iv]
These beliefs also align with the lectures of the Entered Apprentice degree regarding immovable and movable jewels. There, we are told that the immovable jewels are the square, plumb and level, which are emblematic of the three principal officers of the Lodge. Since they wear these immovable jewels, the Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens are themselves immovable, and are thus assigned “stations” at the East, West and South entrances of the temple, which are likewise immovable.
The other officers serve as intermediaries for the three principal officers and they move about the Lodge according to orders received. The importance of their locations is not tied to any specific place, and their relationships are relative to the stations of the various principal officers.[v]
Among their other duties, the principal officers of the Lodge are tasked with instruction and examination of the candidate. This is done entirely from their fixed stations. The Stewards, Deacons and Marshal (when used) are nearly always in transition while performing their duties, and are thus assigned a place, as in: the place they currently occupy to perform them.
The Treasurer and Secretary have few duties in Masonic ritual. Since nether office is associated with an immovable jewel, it seems logical to conclude that they would also be said to occupy a place in the Lodge.
This leaves the Tyler and why he may or may not have a station. Since the Tyler does not wear an immovable jewel, it could be argued that his place is neither stationary nor fixed. Yet, in the lectures of the Entered Apprentice degree, we are instructed about the duty and propriety of our respective stations.
We are also instructed that our ancient brethren usually met on a high hill or a low dale, so they could guard against the profane. This explanation perfectly dovetails with the duties of the Tyler. As he performs this duty, he is always stationed as a fixed point outside the door of the Lodge. This duty is so necessary and well-regulated that he must be relieved by another officer in order to enter the Lodge and cast his ballot to accept a candidate. The adherence to this rigid practice makes a strong argument for the Tyler being said to hold a station, at least in our jurisdiction.
My personal and contrary argument that the Tyler has a place is a direct reference to the printed and accepted books of Uniform Manual of Movements for both Kansas and Colorado. Both of them make direct references to the Tyler performing a duty here or there, and then he “returns to his place.” I am the first to admit this is a somewhat weak argument.
Either term seems perfectly acceptable and proper, but since our Ritual says that the Tyler is stationed, this is the usage we should follow.
Regardless if the jewel they wear is immovable or movable, in every opening/closing of the Lodge each officer is questioned directly or through the previous officer regarding his station or place, and then his duty there. This location and duty serves not only as a teaching tool for those who attend Lodge, but also provides a ritualistic catechism. It is a test — much like the Pass, the Grip and the Step. Each officer must ritualistically and correctly announce where they are located and why there.
This ritualistic catechism of questions and responses are quite prevalent in the old rituals of Masonry, but have become more and more abbreviated in the modern rituals. In doing so, we have unfortunately often lost some of the meaning as to what was being conveyed in them.
