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Texas Marshall - Baton, or nor baton?

Does your Marshall use a baton?

  • Yes (in Texas)

    Votes: 1 5.6%
  • No (in Texas)

    Votes: 10 55.6%
  • Yes (outside of the Republic)

    Votes: 6 33.3%
  • No (outside of the Republic)

    Votes: 1 5.6%

  • Total voters
    18

Mac

Moderator
Premium Member
If you are a Texas Mason, does the Marshall in your Lodge use a baton? I assume most Marshalls are like our Deacons. The rods are there, but never used (except for the occasional grand reception).
 

jwhoff

Premium Member
Yeah, I know.

There's something down there that has to do with "breakin' the skin."

Oh yeah ... I found it!

Let's see ... what if you do it with a smile on your face?

:biggrin:
 

Mac

Moderator
Premium Member
What does a Marshall do?
In Texas, not a whole lot! ;)

In all seriousness, I'm not sure. I've never seen the officer used as part of a ceremony or meeting, except the Installing Marshall, who presents the officers for installation.

I don't there are Marshall's up here. Is he like a director of ceremonies?
Based on what I've read about your work and similar, he sounds like the D of C. Here, we also have a Master of Ceremonies, who assists in candidate preparation.
 

crono782

Premium Member
Yeah, I've seen it as the Marshal (extra 'L' for British-English ^_^)is more for the purpose of "correct precedence and etiquette in formal proceedings...supervising the ritual of the lodge's degree ceremonies".
 

sgtfred13

Registered User
I would like to know what the baton looks like. We have some thing s around but would not know if it is the baaton or not.
 

Mac

Moderator
Premium Member
Sorry about the huge picture, but this is a pretty clear demonstration of the concept. Most likely an Installing Marshall conducting a new officer to his place.

Installing%20Marshall%20and%20Junior%20Deacon.jpg
 

JJones

Moderator
How do they 'use' their rods? Ours set in holders by their appropriate station, do they carry them or something?
 

scialytic

Premium Member
I've rarely even seen the Stewards sit beside the West with the rods (or wands, are they synonymous or am I confused?). I've been to a few Lodges and in only one do they sit there regularly.

I was also reading that newer Brothers should sit in the North and the Past Masters should sit in the East or South-East together (apparently so they can harrass the Secretary). Think I read it in a Lomas' book. Any of you guys keep that up?
 

MarkR

Premium Member
In Minnesota, whenever Lodge is open, if the deacons are doing any floor work, they're carrying their rods (at a 23.5° angle). The stewards likewise carry theirs when they go to the anteroom to prepare candidates. About the only time, other than installations, that a marshal has anything to do is in receiving a Grand Lodge officer; then he carries his baton in the procession to bring the Grand officer into the lodge room.
 

Bro_Vick

Moderator
Premium Member
Merit #727 has their Marshall use it when they introduce the officer line and procession. This happens at every stated meeting.

S&F,
-Bro Vick
 

widows son

Premium Member
In my jurisdiction the deacons carry their wands in degree work, and the SD carries his wand when he presents and puts away the tools. The wand is held at a 45 degree angle.
 

Benjamin Baxter

Moderator
Premium Member
I have only seen them at there respected station in the stands. I havent ever seen them used in ceremony. I think it could add to the ceremony, if they were used.
 

widows son

Premium Member
It does, especially when the JD and SD use them to create a point when the DDGM visits or the master is installed and is being brought to the east.
 
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