Anyone who sits in the East needs to be fluent in the ceremonies required for the occasion for several reasons. We come from all walks of life...that's the nature of a lodge...but when the man in the East drops the gavel, whether he's a judge or a janitor, he becomes MASTER. The opening isn't just a formality; it sets the tone for the evening. It focuses our attention on what we're doing. The words we use establish the Master's authority and our duty to him.
These ceremonies are a two-edged sword. If the Master presides over the opening with confidence and skill, it makes the brethren confident of his right and competence to preside. If he blunders through it, he embarrasses the brethren and makes them question whether he has the commitment to their interests and the mental capacity the job requires. Those impressions, good or ill, are reinforced at every meeting.
This reasoning will cause a Master to demand similar competency from his officers. A well-performed opening is uplifting to us all, and that feeling is the main reason we come to lodge.
Finally, competence in the ritual shows that the officers have respect for the brethren and their time. It shows preparation and forethought. Conversely, when the brethren see that the officers are poorly prepared, it tells them that the officers don't value their time and attention as they should. Patience is often a non-renewable resource.
Tom Ball
District Instructor 40-A