The Scottish Rite has been unique to the Jacksonville Bodies. The Guard was formed during the early days of our history and has been contributing to the esoteric and service needs of these bodies since it's inception into the Bodies.
The Purpose of the Scottish Rite Guard
To participate in the ritualistic degrees
of the Rite when requested by the
Director of Work.
To form an escort of Honor at
the funeral of a deceased Brother of the Rite,
and
to form a Reception Committee for any assembly of the Rite of
whatever nature when called upon to do so.
To be a service organization of
the Scottish Rite Bodies in the Valley of
Jacksonville.
To assist the
Personal Representative
and the regular officers of the Rite in
maintaining decorum and harmony in all areas of the Center and the Rite.
To assist and carry out the
requests and wishes of the Sovereign Grand
Inspector
General or Deputy, in the Orient of Florida and /or his Personal
Representative in the Valley of Jacksonville, and
to assist in carrying out the
programs of the Executive Committee and the Heads of the Four Coordinate
Bodies of the said Rite, when requested of the Captain of the Guard.
To invite desirable Master
Masons, who have passed their proficiency
examination,
or have been a Master Mason for no less than six months, to
apply
for the Scottish Rite degrees and to work generally for the up-
building of the Rite.
To attend all assemblies of the
Scottish Rite Guard and all regular meetings
of the
Scottish Rite Bodies and to wear the uniform of the Guard when
instructed by the Captain.
Membership in the Guard
Since the Jacksonville Scottish Rite Guard may consist of no more than
sixty-five Regular members and
thirty five probationary members,
membership is special. Our Past Captains are not counted as part of the
sixty-five regular member
limit.
Probationary members are balloted upon after due investigation by the
Membership Committee and in order of
the application seniority.
All probationary members are
afforded to all the rights and privileges of a
regular member, with the exception
of the ballot and signing a membership
application.
The new probationary is governed by the same rules and regulations as a
regular member. After a
time period of service the probationary may be
initiated into regular
membership. His initiation will depend upon his service