Duncan's Masonic Ritual and Monitor - Rose Croix

Q. What do they masonically teach us?
A. The square teaches morality; the level, equality: and the plumb teaches rectitude of
life.
Q. How should a Lodge be situated?
A. Due east and west.
Q. Why so?
A. Because, after Moses had safely conducted the children of Israel through the Red Sea,
by Divine command he erected a tabernacle to God, and placed it due east and west,
which was to commemorate to the latest posterity that miraculous east wind that wrought
their mighty deliverance--this was an exact model of Solomon's Temple; since which
time every well regulated and governed Lodge is, or ought to be, so situated.
Q. To whom were Lodges dedicated in ancient times?
A. To King Solomon.
Q. Why so?
A. Because it was said he was our most ancient Grand Master, or the founder of our
present system.
Q. To whom in modern times?
A. To St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist, who were two eminent Christian
patrons of Masonry; and since their time there is, or ought to be,
represented in every
regular and well-governed Lodge a certain "point within a circle," the
point representing an individual brother, the circle the boundary-line
of his conduct beyond which he is never to suffer his prejudices or
passions to betray him. This circle is embodied by two perpendicular
parallel lines, representing St. John the Baptist and St. John the
Evangelist; and upon the top rest the Holy Scriptures. In going round
this circle, we necessarily touch upon these two lines, as well upon the
Holy Scriptures, and while
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a Mason keeps himself circumscribed within their precepts it is impossible that he should
materially err.