The Working Tools of A Steward

The office of Steward is the first office to which a Brother is appointed. An important first step.

Is there no ceremony to mark this? Did our ancient Brethren do it this way?

Research have shown that there was a ceremony, not in the ritual book, but handed down from time improbable, by word of mouth alone, now sadly rarely seen.

This evening with the assistance of my W.Bro. the D.C. and my Bro. the J.W. an explanation of this archaic ceremony will be given.

I shall therefore request the D.C. to put the necessary questions.

D.C. Bro.________ where were you first prepared to be made a Steward?

ANSWER: In the body of the Lodge by the W.M's' pedestal.

D.C. Where next?

ANSWER: At the social board adjoining the Lodge.

D.C. Describe the mode of your preparation.

ANSWER: I was deprived of the right to eat my dinner in peace, a napkin was placed over my left arm, a bottle opener placed in my right hand and a corkscrew was hung about my neck. (J.W. does this)

D.C. What is Stewardship?

ANSWER: A Peculiar system of servitude, Practised by few for the benefit of many.

D.C. Name the three grand Principles on which Stewardship is founded.

ANSWER: Courtesy, prompt clearing of the empties and willingness at all times to bring a beer when properly called upon.

D.C. With what were you invested?

ANSWER: The working tools of a Steward, namely the napkin, the bottle opener and the corkscrew.

D.C. Explain their separate and conjoint significations.

ANSWER: The napkin being white, denotes the purity of the beverages we serve. The bottle opener is an instrument which acts on the Principle of leverage and enables beer to be opened for the brethren and our visitors and the Corkscrew, which works with a winding motion, is meant to remind us of the staircase up which our ancient brethren went to receive their refreshment.

D.C. What refreshment did they receive?

ANSWER: Scruple and roasted hens.

D.C. Why this Peculiar menu?

ANSWER: Scruple was a well-known strong ale to which they felt justly entitled, and roasted hens were served frequently by the Temple caterers in those days.

D.C. What was in the two great Crates which were placed at or near to the entrance to the Social Board?

ANSWER: That on the left contained Bass and that on the right Worthington

D.C. What are their separate and conjoint significations?

ANSWER: The former denotes Strength, the latter to Inebriate and when conjoined, Instability, for the Worshipful Master said, "With strong beer I will inebriate these my Brethren and make them remember MY year in office for ever!"

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