Just as the individual is the foundation of our Society of Friends and Brothers, so is the Masonic Lodge the fundamental organization of it. This basic unit of the organization is sometimes called the "Blue Lodge", sometimes, the Craft Lodge, but it always operates under standards prescribed by a Grand Lodge. There is no higher Masonic authority than a Grand Lodge, and each Grand Lodge is the sovereign authority within the State or Country over which it claims jurisdiction.
The Grand Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Texas, is the supreme governing authority over every Lodge in Texas. Its chief officer has the title Grand Master, and he is known as the Grand Master of Masons in Texas, signifying his election by the Masons of Texas, whose votes are cast by their duly elected representatives. He acts for all of the Masons collectively who live within the State and are members of its Lodges.
The Officers of the individual Lodge are the Worshipful Master (the term worshipful being used after the old English manner, meaning respected), and the Senior and Junior Wardens. The term Warden means "watcher" or supervisor, taken from the old English term as used by the stonemasons of the eighteenth century. In addition, the Lodge has a Treasurer and Secretary, as well as two Deacons. Both of the latter are messengers who carry messages at the direction of the Master or the Senior Warden to others about the Lodge, as the occasion may require. These two brethren also see to the accommodation of visitors when the Lodge is assembled. There are also Stewards, who see to the preparation of food and its service, and perform other duties. There is a Chaplain, charged with offering prayers and reading the Bible at certain times. The officer outside the door is the Tiler, or Tyler, who guards the Lodge from intrusion.