Responsibilities Of A
Past Zerrubbabel
The
duties and responsibilities of a Past `Z’ are many, and it seems that
there should be a division in these two terms. The duties, being the
tasks, to which the P.Z. must address himself as part of the debt he
owes to the Royal Craft and to his own Chapter in particular. The
responsibilities are those tasks to which a P.Z., should address
himself, as much as his private avocation will allow, to help the Craft
in any way. To make available to the Chapter the knowledge and
experience he has gained, while serving in the various offices of the
Chapter and as Zerrubable.
Primarily of the duties is attendance. It is the duty of the P.Z. to
attend his Chapter as often as his health, his profession, or his family
responsibilities will allow. This duty extends to visiting other
Chapters, and every P.Z. should make himself available to visit often.
In this way he not only supports his Chapter and the Craft, but he also
stimulates interest and enthusiasm in the Masonic Brotherhood. There is
also the duty of attending the District meetings and the deliberations
of Grand Chapter. His duty also extends to having a good knowledge of
the issues evolved in the deliberations, to vote, and be a worthy
representative of his Chapter.
The
support of the `Z’ and his officers are a duty that falls upon every
P.Z. In supporting his lodge he is also lending his support to the whole
Fraternity. Support can be extended to meet any number of conditions. It
may be to fill in for a missing officer. He should never consider it
below his dignity to sit in any chair in the Chapter, when required.
He
should serve on Committees, bringing to the deliberations the benefit of
his experience and wisdom. The P.Z. must always remember that having
served as `Z’, he owes his support to the fraternity as a whole.
The
P.Z. also has the duty of imparting Masonic education to his companions.
His work in the offices of the Chapter has given him unlimited
opportunity to absorb Masonic Ritual, the Ancient Charges, and the
teachings of the fraternity as a whole. It is now his duty to impart
that knowledge, make advances in Masonic education, not only for himself
but for every Companion of his Chapter.
Having
taken care of some duties, what then, are his responsibilities? He is
responsible to the `Z’; He should help in the reception and welcoming of
visitors. He should make himself available for advice and counselling
when called upon. He should not, however, seek to impose himself into
any decisions made by the `Z’, unless requested for his counsel. He
should always, be a working member of the Chapter. And become involved
in the day to day workings of the Chapter. Above all, he should be the
unobtrusive guide and counsellor to his Companions.
Too
often, it is the feeling of the P.Z., who having served in the various
offices, he may now take his place in the East in obscurity, taking no
interest and no active part in the Craft generally. This is wrong, and
it is equally wrong to impose his opinion or his will over the decisions
of the `Z’.
There
are many cardinal sins to which we are all prone. May I list some of
them?
-
Never seek to impose a contrary opinion upon the
`Z’ when in open Chapter.
-
Never raise your voice to prompt when another
officer of the Chapter has that task.
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Never impose opinion concerning Ritual, the
signs’ tokens and words, without first assuring that your opinions
are correct. Let it be fact rather then opinion that you seek to
impart.
-
Never bring personal bias to the floor of the
Chapter.
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Never withhold your assistance when properly
called upon, if it is within your power to give it.
-
Finally, never forget that you have reached the
rank of P.Z., because many dedicated Companions believed in you, and
were prepared to help you to achieve Officer status.
Strive
always to be a good P.Z., and work toward the advancement of other
promising Companions. In short, the P.Z. has a continuing obligation,
responsibility and duty to dedicate himself to the advancement of his
Chapter and the Royal Craft. Also, he has a duty to every Companion and
Brother in the brotherhood of Freemasonry
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