d and
governed Lodge is, or ought to be, so situated.

Q. To whom did our ancient brethren dedicate their Lodges? A. To King
Solomon.

Q. Why so? A. Because King Solomon was our most ancient Grand Master.

Q. To whom do modern Masons dedicate their Lodges? A. To St. John the
Baptist and St. John the Evangelist.

Q. Why so? A. Because they were the two most ancient Christian patrons
of Masonry; and, since their time, in every well-regulated and
governed Lodge there has been a certain point within a circle, which
circle is bounded on the East and the West by two perpendicular
parallel lines, representing the anniversary of St. John the Baptist
and St. John the Evangelist, who were two perfect parallels, as well
in Masonry as Christianity, on the vertex of which rests the Book of
the Holy Scriptures, supporting Jacob's Ladder, which is said to reach
the watery clouds, and, in passing round this circle, we naturally
touch on both these perpendicular parallel lines, as well as the Book
of the Holy Scriptures; and while a Mason keeps himself thus
circumscribed, he cannot materially err.

END OF THE LECTURE, AND OF THE FIRST DEGREE.

It is proper to add here that very few Masons ever learn the Lecture.
Of course, it is necessary that the officers of the Lodge should
understand their own particular part, and that is generally all they
learn.

* * * * *

THE SECOND OR FELLOW CRAFT MASON'S DEGREE.

This degree is usually called "passing." The ceremonies of opening and
closing the Lodge are precisely the same as in the first degree;
except two knocks are used in this degree, and the door is entered by
the benefit of a pass-word. It is SHIBBOLETH, and explained in the
Lecture. The candidate, as before, is taken into the preparation room
and prepared in the manner following: All his clothing taken off,
except his shirt; furnished with a pair of drawers; his right breast
bare; his left foot in a slipper; the right bare; a cable-tow twice
'round his neck; semi-hoodwinked; in which situation he is conducted
to the door of the Lodge, where he gives two knocks, when the Senior
Warden rises and says, "Worshipful, while we are peaceably at work on
the second degree of Masonry, under the influence of faith, hope, and
charity, the door of our Lodge is alarmed." Master to Junior Deacon,
"Brother Junior, inquire the cause of that alarm." [In many Lodges
they come to the door, knock, are answered b