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.

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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 by the Junior Deacon, and come in without being noticed by the Senior Warden or Master.] The Junior Deacon gives two raps on the inside of the door.  The candidate gives one without.  It is answered by the Junior Deacon with one; when the door is partly opened by the Junior Deacon, who inquires, “Who comes here?  Who comes here?” The Senior Deacon, who is, or ought to be, the conductor, answers, “A worthy brother, who has been regularly initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason, served a proper time as such, and now wishes for further light in Masonry, by being passed to the degree of Fellow