6.0 The Living Philosophy: Governance and The Sacred Obligation


The Richmack philosophy is not a solitary pursuit; it is intended to be practiced within a structured community. This community is governed by officers who facilitate its work and is bound by a unifying ethical code that transforms abstract principles into lived reality.

The governance of the lodge is managed by key officers, including:

β€’ The Master, who serves as the head of the guild, presiding over meetings and bearing ultimate responsibility for the group's direction and well-being.

β€’ The Senior Warden, who assists the Master in maintaining order and oversees the "Trestle Board"β€”the agenda of tasks and assignments for the members.

β€’ The Junior Warden, who is responsible for the refreshment of the members and provides general assistance. The role often serves as a learning experience for newer members, allowing them to gain exposure to guild operations.

While these roles provide the structure for the community, it is The Obligation that provides its soul. This sacred oath is the ultimate expression of a member's commitment to the Richmack system, a formal vow that binds them to its ethical and moral tenets.

The core tenets of The Obligation can be distilled into several key philosophical commitments:

β€’ On Secrecy: A solemn promise to protect the secrets of the Degree. This vow is explicitly qualified by the exceptions of murder and treason, a critical demarcation that subordinates fraternal loyalty to the paramount duties of civic and moral law.

β€’ On Obedience: A pledge to answer and obey all regular signs and summonses from a fellow member or a lawfully constituted Lodge.

β€’ On Fidelity: A commitment to support the constitution and regulations of the Lodge and the larger fraternity to which it belongs.

β€’ On Charity: A sacred vow to aid and assist poor and indigent members, their widows, and orphans, wherever they may be dispersed.

β€’ On Integrity: A promise not to wrong a Lodge or a brother, nor to suffer it to be done by others if it is within one's power to prevent.

β€’ On Leadership: A pledge to govern without haughtiness or arbitrary power, and to use one's utmost endeavors to preserve peace and harmony among the members.

The Obligation is the formal covenant that integrates all the preceding philosophical concepts. The moral guidance of the Jewels, the intellectual rigor of the Working Tools, the transformative journey of the Winding Staircase, and the fight against the Adversaries are all synthesized in this vow. It is the act that transforms a student of the Richmack philosophy into a living practitioner, bound by duty to themselves, their brethren, and the timeless principles they have sworn to uphold.