Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

BKV. HJU STEARNS 1 IN^UIftT. 285
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The hall is. first dedicated in the name of the great Jehovah,
then in the name of the holy St. John, then in the
name of the whole fraternity. ' In the name of the great
Jehovah, to w{iom be all honour and glory, I do solemnly
dedicate this hall to Masonry. 9 fc In the name of the holy
St John, I do solemnly dedicate this hall to virtue. 9 4 In
the name of the whole fraternity, I do solemnly dedicate
this hall to universal benevolence. 9 (See Monitor, pp. 130
131.) Op this occasion the great name of God is taken in
vain, trifled with, and blasphemed. 19
Mr. Stearns is a Mason, and well understands of what
he affirms. The manner of dedicating masonic halls is
correctly described, according to the form given also in the
Book of Constitutions, (p. 99.)
Here observe one of the sweet catches of our dark Mistress,
44 Whose word at any lima will paaa,
" Point blank on both aides of a caae."
She says: " In the name of the holy St. Join, I do solemnly
dedicate this hall to virtue. 99 Very well.
The lecture on the first degree, accords with the following
: " Our ancient brethren dedicated their lodges to Solomon,
yet Masons professing Christianity dedicate theirs to
St John the Baptist, and St. John the Evangelist." (F.
M. L. p. 148.)
But the ceremony of dedication says: " In the name of
the holy St John, 99 and not St Johns: which has this
masonic advantage, that Jews, Turks, and Infidels, will understand
the dedication as made to the Baptist; for him
they honour; while Christians will understand the Beloved
disciple. Thus all parties are pleased, and the harmony of
the lodge is preserved; whereas, if the dedication were to
the holy St Johns, the infidels might fly, and discord break
the bonds of affection among the brethren.
In the appendix, Mr. Stearns offers a few remarks upon
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