the functions of a higher vacated station, as one of the expressed duties of his own office.  A recollection of these distinctions will enable us to avoid much embarrassment in the consideration of all the questions incident to this subject.  If the Master be present, the Wardens assist him in the government of the lodge.  The Senior Warden presides over the craft while at labor, and the Junior when they are in refreshment.  Formerly the examination of visitors was intrusted to the Junior Warden, but this duty is now more appropriately performed by the Stewards or a special committee appointed for that purpose.

The Senior Warden has the appointment of the Senior Deacon, and the Junior Warden that of the Stewards.

Section IV.

Of the Treasurer.

Of so much importance is this office deemed, that in English Lodges, while all the other officers are appointed by the Master, the Treasurer alone is elected by the lodge.  It is, however, singular, that in the ritual of installation, Preston furnishes no address to the Treasurer on his investiture.  Webb, however, has supplied the omission, and the charge given in his work to this officer, on the night of his installation, having been universally acknowledged and adopted by the craft in this country, will furnish us with the most important points of the law in relation to his duties.

It is, then, in the first place, the duty of the Treasurer “to receive all moneys from the hands of the Secretary.”  The Treasurer is only the banker of the lodge.  All fees for initiation, arrearages of members, and all other dues to the lodge, should be first received by the Secretary, and paid immediately over to the Treasurer for safe keeping.

The keeping of just and regular accounts is another duty presented to the Treasurer.  As soon as he has received an amount of money from the Secretary, he should transfer the account of it to his books.  By this means, the Secretary and Treasurer become mutual checks upon each other, and the safety of the funds of the lodge is secured.

The Treasurer is not only the banker, but also the disbursing officer of the lodge; but he is directed to pay no money except with the consent of the lodge and on the order of the Worshipful Master.  It seems to me, therefore, that every warrant drawn on him should be signed by the Master, and the action of the lodge attested by the counter-signature of the Secretary.

It is usual, in consequence of the great responsibility of the Treasurer, to select some Brother of worldly substance for the office; and still further to insure the safety of the funds, by exacting from him a bond, with sufficient security.  He sometimes receives a per centage, or a fixed salary, for his services.

Section V.

Of the Secretary.

It is the duty of the Secretary to record all the proceedings of the lodge, “which may be committed to paper;” to conduct the correspondence of the lodge, and to receive all moneys due the lodge from any source whatsoever.  He is, therefore, the recording, corresponding, and receiving officer of the lodge.  By receiving the moneys due to the lodge in the first place, and then paying them over to the Treasurer, he becomes, as I have already observed, a check upon that officer.