Think like a Past Master. How will you react if a new Master Mason makes a mistake?

Prompting or correcting mistakes during lodge proceedings is strictly regulated to maintain order and decorum. According to guidelines set out by the Grand Lodge of India, no brother should correct any mistake occurring during a ceremony except the Director of Ceremonies, who does so only if the error is serious. Furthermore, the Grand Lodge of India specifies that prompting in lodge is restricted to the Immediate Past Master—strictly with respect to the Worshipful Master—and the Director of Ceremonies with respect to other officers. A Past Master who is not occupying one of these specific roles should therefore refrain from intervening or correcting a newly raised Master Mason during the performance of ritual.

General lodge decorum also prohibits holding private conversations or interrupting officers and brethren who have the floor 2. Should guidance or instruction be required outside the active conduct of a ceremony, the spirit of the degree governs how brethren treat a fellow Mason who stumbles. Carl H. Claudy explains that Masons are taught to stretch forth a hand to assist a falling brother rather than to judge, condemn, or offer intrusive admonition 1. Any counsel or assistance given to a brother should be offered with sympathy and understanding, supporting his needs rather than imposing unnecessary criticism 1.