What are the roles of officers in a Masonic Lodge?

The government of a lodge is divided among three principal officers: the Master, Senior Warden, and Junior Warden 1. The Worshipful Master presides over the lodge with broad, inherent authority 2. He controls lodge business, decides points of order without appeal, may assemble or close the lodge at will, and cannot be removed by the lodge itself 2. His emblem of office is the square 1.

The Senior Warden presides over the brethren while at labor 3 and wears the level 1. He sits in the West—or Northwest in certain rites 1—and succeeds to the Master's duties during his absence 3. The Junior Warden sits in the South or Southwest 1, presides while the lodge is in refreshment 3, and wears the plumb rule 1. Should both the Master and Senior Warden be absent, the Junior Warden assumes the government of the lodge 3. Traditionally, the Senior Warden appoints the Senior Deacon, while the Junior Warden appoints the Stewards 3.

The Treasurer acts as banker and disbursing officer, keeping lodge funds and paying them out only by lodge consent and the Master's warrant 3. In English practice, he is the sole officer elected by the lodge rather than appointed by the Master 3. His jewel is crossed keys 1. The Secretary receives all initial dues and fees, transferring them to the Treasurer to maintain mutual financial checks 3; his jewel is crossed pens 1.

Deacons handle the charge of candidates during ceremonies 4. In English lodges, their jewel is a dove with an olive branch 14, whereas American lodges feature a sun on the Senior Deacon's jewel and a moon on the Junior Deacon's 1. The Director of Ceremonies oversees the perfection of ceremonial procedure 4, Stewards bear cornucopias 1, and the Tyler guards the lodge with crossed swords 1.