07/27/2026
Have you ever stopped for a moment to think about the Tyler?
Most of us see him sitting outside the Lodge room with a drawn sword, and if we're honest, we don't give him much thought beyond that. But who is the Tyler? What are his duties? And perhaps the more interesting question is this: Is the Tyler's work meant to stay at the Temple, or is there a lesson we should carry into our everyday lives?
The Tyler is the guardian of the Temple. His duty is to keep off all "Cowans and Eavesdroppers." In simple terms, anyone who has no right to be there—or anyone whose purpose is to disrupt the harmony of the Lodge—is stopped by the Tyler.
He also has another important responsibility. Visiting Brethren present their dues card or other proof of membership to him. The Tyler verifies that they are Masons in good standing from a recognized Lodge and jurisdiction before introducing them through the Senior Deacon. His role is one of protection, but also one of preserving the integrity of the Lodge.
In my Lodge, the Tyler is usually the Junior Past Master. It's often said we give him "something to do" after his time in the East. I say that with a smile, but it also reminds me of something else. You'll notice I never refer to a Master's time in office as "his year." It is never his year. It is the Lodge's year. Every officer, including the Master, serves the Lodge—not the other way around.
The importance of the Tyler is so great that his office is actually reflected in the Ancient Landmarks:
"The necessity that every lodge, when duly congregated, should be tyled."
Without a Tyler, the Lodge cannot truly be protected. The Temple must be guarded so that the work inside may be carried on in peace and harmony.
But here's where I think the symbolism becomes far more interesting.
What if the Tyler isn't left outside the Lodge when the meeting ends?
Think about your own mind.
Who stands guard over your thoughts?
Every day we allow ideas, opinions, fears, anger, resentment, and distractions to enter our minds. Some of those thoughts help us grow. Others quietly chip away at our peace, our confidence, and our character. Just as the Tyler determines who may enter the Lodge, shouldn't we be just as careful about what we allow to enter our own consciousness?
Perhaps each of us should become the Tyler of our own Temple.
That doesn't mean ignoring difficult emotions or pretending life is always positive. Quite the opposite. It means honestly examining what we're allowing to take up residence in our minds. Are our thoughts building us into better men and women? Or are they acting as Cowans and Eavesdroppers—uninvited guests disrupting the harmony within?
This also brings me to something that deserves to be said more often.
Mental health is real.
Sometimes the thoughts we struggle with aren't ones we can simply dismiss. Anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and other challenges can become overwhelming. If you find yourself in that place, there is absolutely no shame in asking for help. In fact, recognizing that you need support and reaching out for it may be one of the strongest acts of courage you will ever perform. We all need a helping hand from time to time.
So perhaps the Tyler teaches us two lessons.
He guards the outer door of the Lodge, ensuring that only those who belong may enter.
And symbolically, he reminds each of us to guard the inner door of our own minds, allowing in those thoughts, ideas, and influences that help us build the spiritual Temple we are each called to erect.
Maybe the Tyler isn't the officer we think about the least.
Maybe he's the one we should think about every single day.
I love you and may we govern ourselves accordingly
