What are the duties of a Worshipful Master?

The duties and powers of a Worshipful Master encompass both administrative governance and authority over the lodge's work. Prior to installation, the Master elect assents to ancient charges and regulations, promising to obey the moral law, preserve the established groundwork of Masonry, enforce due inquiry into candidates, ensure proper examination and vouchers for visitors, and regularly attend Grand Lodge communications 1.

Once installed, the Master governs the lodge and directs its business and labor 23. Carl Claudy points out that a Master holds powers far broader than the chairman of a civic society: he may convene the lodge for special communications at will, decide points of order without appeal to the lodge, initiate or end debate, propose motions, and open or close the lodge at his pleasure, provided he respects statutory notice and Grand Lodge laws 3. While the Master may place another brother in the chair to preside or confer a degree, he retains full responsibility for everything that occurs in the lodge and may resume the gavel at any time 3. He also controls admission to the lodge room and determines whether visitors may be admitted 3.

In administrative matters, the Master oversees his officers, appointing his Wardens in historical English practice 1, and authorizes expenditures by signing warrants drawn on the Treasurer 2. A lodge cannot pass by-laws to curtail the Master's inherent authority, nor can the lodge remove him; he is answerable for his conduct only to his conscience, the Grand Master, and the Grand Lodge 3.