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.