THE ARCANE SCHOOLS - Fort Myers Beach Masonic Lodge No. 362

holy Saints John, followed by an invocation that "every Brother may
revere
their character and imitate their virtues."
Masonic tradition tells us that our ancient Brethren dedicated their
lodges to King Solomon, because he was their first Most Excellent Grand
Master; but that modern Masons dedicate theirs to St. John the Baptist
and
St. John the Evangelist, because they were two eminent patrons of
Masonry.
A more appropriate selection of patrons to whom to dedicate the lodge,
could not easily have been made; since St. John the Baptist, by
announcing the approach of Christ, and by the mystical ablution to
which
he subjected his proselytes, and which was afterwards adopted in the
ceremony of initiation into Christianity, might well be considered as
the
Grand Hierophant of the Church; while the mysterious and emblematic
nature
of the Apocalypse assimilated the mode of teaching adopted by St. John
the
Evangelist to that practiced by the fraternity. Our Jewish Brethren
usually dedicate their lodges to King Solomon, thus retaining their
ancient patron, although they thereby lose the benefit of that portion
of
the Lectures which refers to the "lines parallel." The Grand Lodge of
England, at the union in 1813, agreed to dedicate to Solomon and Moses,
applying the parallels to the framer of the tabernacle and the builder
of
the temple; but they have no warranty for this in ancient usage, and it
is
unfortunately not the only innovation on the ancient landmarks that
that
Grand Lodge has lately permitted.
The ceremony of dedication, like that of consecration, finds its
archetype
in the remotest antiquity. The Hebrews made no use of any new thing
until
they had first solemnly dedicated it. This ceremony was performed in
relation even to private houses, as we may learn from the book of
Deuteronomy.[30] The 30th Psalm is a song said to have been made by
David
on the dedication of the altar which he erected on the threshing-floor
of
Ornan the Jebusite, after the grievous plague which had nearly
devastated
the kingdom. Solomon, it will be recollected, dedicated the temple with
solemn ceremonies, prayers, and thank-offerings. The ceremony of
dedication is, indeed, alluded to in various portions of the
Scriptures.
Selden[31] says that among the Jews sacred things were both dedicated
and
consecrated; but that profane things, such as private houses, etc.,
were
simply dedicated, without consecration. The same writer informs us that