My Brethren:

Our summer rest is over and it is time to resume the labors of our craft again. We are very fortunate in this Lodge in the number of new petitions for degrees which we receive each month. September will be a busy month with degree work, as noted by our Trestleboard and your attendance on these evening will be appreciated by all.

At our first Stated Communication on September 11th, Most Worshipful Brother Stewart Wilson Miner, Past Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, will be with us to present a program relative to the Constitution of the United States. The observance of the birth of our Constitution of the United States of America, which historic event occurred on September 17, 1787, four years after the Pennsylvania Charter for this Lodge was issued, is an occasion which might well be celebrated in any American Lodge of Freemasons. "In the State you are to be a quiet and peaceful citizen, true to your government and just to your country, " so runs a portion of the charge which every brother receives as an Entered Apprentice. Each Lodge and each Freemason may, with propriety and dignity, pay tribute to this great Freedom document and the men who forged its immortal words in the early years of our nation. We can also count with pride the number of those signers who were members of our Fraternity.

On September 10th we have been invited to raise a candidate in Fredericksburg Lodge No.4 for them using our King Solomon period Costumes. We plan to leave the Memorial at 6:30 PM, which will allow ample time to get to the Temple in Fredericksburg to confer the Second Section. We will form car pools at the Memorial for this trip.

We resume our monthly District Schools in September, with Macon Ware Lodge No. 192 being the host Lodge this month on the 30th. All Master Masons are encouraged, to attend these informative schools of instruction.

Please note the various Lodges from other Jurisdictions who are visiting our Lodge Room each Saturday and try to come to these visitations to see the work as put on by these Lodges.

Our annual Ladies Night will be held on Saturday, October 11th this year and the Officers of the Lodge will have tickets for the Banquet by our first Stated in September. Each year we have this Ladies Night as a means of expressing our love for and appreciation to those who make it possible for us to participate in and enjoy so many of the activities of Masonry. The Banquet will be served at 6:30 PM in the Memorial Dining Room with entertainment to follow in the Auditorium. A variety show type of entertainment is planned for our Ladies this year. Please get your tickets early so that we will know how many to prepare for well in advance.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Donald M. Robey
Worshipful Master

Brethren,

Our Worshipful Master has designated September 25th in our Lodge as Wardens Night. Brother Ranck and I extend to you a cordial invitation to attend your Lodge on that evening as we host the Senior and Junior Wardens from the other Lodges in this area. Our speaker for the evening will be Rear Admiral William T. Crowe, who is currently assigned to the Pentagon. I am sure all of you will enjoy his comments. After the meeting there will be a period of good "Fellowship" at which our Stewards will serve their usual fine refreshments.

Sincerely and fraternally,

James B. Stone
Senior Warden

CANDIDATE INSTRUCTION - Every Tuesday and Wednesday, 7:00 until 9:00 in Alex-Wash Lodge Room.

YOUTH MEETINGS AT GWMNM - Alexandria-Washington Chapter, Order of DeMolay; Robert Lamons, Master Councilor; Brother Angus S. Lamond, Jr. Chapter Dad. Meets in North Room 2nd and 4th Saturdays at 7:30 P.M. All Master Masons Are Invited to Attend.

Sept. 24, 1925 - Mr. David E. Bayliss Sr. was introduced and initiated as an Entered Apprentice.

Sept. 23, 1875 - A circular from the Grand Master, enclosing a copy of the Constitutions and By-Laws of the Masonic Widows and Orphans home of the State of Virginia was read for information.

Sept. 26, 1875 - The Worshipful Master announced in feeling and appropriate terms the death of our late Brother Edgar Snowden which occurred on the evening of Sept. 24th in the 65th year of his age.

Sept. 8, 1825 - The petition of Mr. John West was read for information.

Edgar Snowden Sr. son of Samuel, was born December 21, 1810, succeeded his father as Editor and Proprietor of the Alexandria Gazette which he conducted for 46 years, served as the Mayor of the City and was the first Delegate to the Legislature after the City was retroceded to the State of Virginia. He married Louisa J. Grymes of King George County, Virginia. Died September 24, 1875 and received Masonic burial, left eleven children, three of whom, Edgar, Harold and Hubert succeeded him in management of the Gazette.

William Dunlap Stewart, P. M. son of John Ainsworth, born November 5th, 1825, was killed during the cyclone on the night of September 29th, 1896, by the gable wall of the house on the East, No. 501 Cameron Street, being blown out and falling on the roof of his home, crushing the entire structure, which was of wood. Bro. Stewart with his sister, Miss Mary Jane, was sitting in the dining room reading the Bible when they were suddenly borne to the floor by the falling timbers. He was killed almost instantly, but she, although severely injured, managed to crawl out from under the debris and inform their neighbors. Willing hands were soon at work, although the storm still raged, and the body was extricated and after being prepared for burial, was taken to the Lodge Room, from whence, after a most solemn service, it was conveyed to the Presbyterian Cemetery, and committed to the grave with Masonic ceremonies. Note: Wor. Bro. Stewart served as Master in 1873 to 1876 and again in 1894 to 1896 going in office the second time when he was 69 years of age.

James Mackenzie was born about the year 1772, in Stornaway, Isle of Lewis, Rosshire, Scotland, and was by profession a mariner. He emigrated to America, and settled in Alexandria about the year 1793, from which port he was engaged in the European trade as a shipmaster for thirty years. Capt. Mackenzie was present at the funeral lodge of Washington and was also in attendance at the funeral on the following Wednesday. Retiring from the merchant service, Capt. Mackenzie was commissioned, during the administration of John Quincy Adams, a commander in the U. S Revenue Service, and was assigned to the "Alert", then on the Norfolk, Va. station. He held this position for several years and, while in command of the revenue cutter "Wasp", died at Norfolk on the 5th of July, 1829, and was buried at Norfolk with Masonic honors Capt. Mackenzie had six sons and two daughters, Alexander and Lewis being the only surviving sons in 1875.