MARK MASTER MASON LODGE – Inner Guard
Lodge Officer Duties
The Inner Guard (or Inside Sentinel) has a jewel with 2 crossed swords and is mandatory in UK lodges, but rare in American lodges. The Inner Guard is also an office in Australian and New Zealand lodges. This position is commonly assigned to a fairly junior member, as it provides a good opportunity for him to meet members and observe and learn ceremonies, and is at the beginning of the progressive offices leading to the Chair.
The task of guarding the door is shared with the ‘Tyler’.
The Inner Guard is on the inside of the door, and in some jurisdictions is armed with a poignard or short dagger. In those jurisdictions which do not appoint an Inner Guard (and even in some that do), this duty is given to the Junior Deacon