men, to
be adjusted by the working tools of the fellow craft; and reminds us of
that state of perfection at which we hope to arrive by a virtuous
education, our own endeavors and the blessing of God.

The Trestle-Board is for the master workman to draw his designs upon. By
it we are reminded that, as the operative workman erects his temporal
building agreeably to the rules and designs laid down by the master on
his trestle-board, so should we, both operative and speculative,
endeavor to erect our spiritual building agreeably to the rules and
designs laid down by the Supreme Architect of the Universe, in the great
books of nature and revelation, which are our spiritual, moral and
Masonic trestle-boards.

How Situated.

A Lodge is situated due east and west, because King Solomon's Temple was
so situated; and also because, when Moses crossed the Red Sea, being
pursued by Pharaoh and his hosts, he erected a Tabernacle by Divine
command, and placed it due east and west to receive the first rays of
the rising sun, and to commemorate that mighty east wind by which the
miraculous deliverance of Israel was effected.

[Illustration]

Dedication of Lodges.

Our ancient brethren dedicated their lodges to King Solomon because he
was our first most excellent Grand Master, but Masons of the present
day, professing Christianity, dedicate theirs to St. John the Baptist
and St. John the Evangelist, who were two eminent patrons of Masonry;
and since their time there is represented in every regular and well
govern lodge a certain point within a circle embordered by two
perpendicular parallel lines, representing St. John the Baptist and St.
John the Evangelist; and upon the top rests the Holy Scriptures. The
point represents the individual brother; the circle, the boundary-line
of his duty beyond which he is never to suffer his passions, interests
or prejudices to betray him. In going around this circle we necessarily
touch on the two parallel lines, as well as the Holy Scriptures, and
while a Mason keeps himself circumscribed within these due bounds, it is
impossible that he should materially err.

Tenets.

The three great tenets of a Mason's profession inculcate the practice of
those commendable virtues, Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.

Brotherly Love.--By the exercise of brotherly love we are taught to
regard the whole human species as one family--the high and low, the rich
and poor--who, created by one Almighty Paren