Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22

February 1979

FROM THE EAST

Brethren,

February is an outstanding month in the history of our Lodge. It was on February 23, 1783, that Alexandria Lodge, No.39, was formally Constituted.

On February 23, 1787, a circular letter from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was received, informing the Lodge that the Grand Lodge had been established independently of Great Britain and requested the return of the warrant issued to No. 39, February 3, 1783, in order to renew its warrant under the new organization.

The Lodge decided that it would be more convenient for it to work under the authority of the Grand Lodge of Virginia and made application to the Grand Lodge of Virginia for a Charter. Although the Virginia Charter of Alexandria Lodge, No. 22, was dated April 28, 1789, the desig- nation of the Lodge by this title is not found in the minutes until February 21, 1789.

After the death of General Washington, it was the desire of the Lodge that its name should be altered so as to embrace that of Washington. This action was completed in 1804. However, the celebration of Washington's birthday began after the Revolutionary War and not after his death. In GEORGE WASHINGTON FREEMASON, we read that February 22nd "was thus observed in Alexandria as early as 1784; and the birth night balls of February 22nd have been successfully continued there."

Another important event in the Lodge's history is the dedication of its new Lodge Room in February 1874. The following is an interesting quotation from Grand Master Lambert's address on that occasion:

"Whilst recalling recollections of the past, we must not be unmindful of the future. In these days of so-called progress, when corruption in high places is so prevalent, when the greed of gain seems to have taken possession of the souls of men, when intemperance and profanity, vices which are so repugnant and abhorrent to all true Masons, are on the increase; when those styling themselves philosophers and men of science ignore the Holy Bible, that great light in Masonry, which is ever open before you, and which we accept as the rule and guide of our faith but which they would wish us to believe to be a cunningly devised fable, then now is the time for Masonry to perform her great work. She must not regress. She must still preserve inviolate those ancient landmarks; in a word, she must follow the counsels of our first Most Excellent Grand Master, who centuries ago, said: 'My Son, forget not my law, but let thine heart keep my commandments; and remove not the ancient landmarks which thy fathers have set'. But in the practice of these cardinal virtues which are so beautifully inculcated in the first degree, let us progress. Let each individual Brother remember that he is a link in that indissoluble chain which binds us together; that he is a stone in that scriptural building, which we are seeking to erect, and that the beauty of the whole should not be marred by any tarnish or stain which would bring reproach and disgrace upon us."

In 1883 it was decided by the Lodge instead of having a Centennial Celebration on February 23, to combine it with the one on February 22; that the two events should take place on the same day. Therefore, the Washington birthday observance was held in the morning while the Lodge's Centennial was celebrated that evening.

It was on February 22, 1910, that the first Committee assembled in Alexandria to implement plans that eventually took shape and brought into being the George Washington Masonic National Memorial which has been our home for some thirty years.

This February we hope, to the best of our means and ability, to carry on the traditions of those great masons in the past, by journeying to Mount Vernon on February 19, at 9:00 A.M., and with an appropriate ceremony, place a wreath of beautiful flowers at Washington's Tomb. At 4:00 P.M. in the Lodge room we will open a Stated Meeting to take care of traditional business, after which we will retire to the dining room for dinner with our ladies, neighbors and friends. Following the dinner all are invited to enjoy the program that has been planned for this special occasion. The entertainment is FREE, but a donation of $5.50 is necessary to take care of the bills for the food. So please contact the Secretary or any of the Lodge officers for tickets to the dinner.

The Grand Master of Masons of Virginia will not be able to be with us on February 19, but will make his Official Visit to our Lodge on February 22nd.

We hope you will be with us on both of these historical occasions and that when you return to your abode you will rejoice in your heart that you were able to share a small portion of your time with your Brethren and friends while at the same time paying honor to our Beloved Past Master, General George Washington, our First President.

Sincerely and fraternally,
Jason W. Snyder
Worshipful Master

December 30, 1978
INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS

NOTE:

Because of the request from the Brethren and Ladies for a copy of my comments on the night of installation, I decided to insert it in the February Trestleboard. Then, I thought, perhaps those not able to be present might be interested in reading it, also. So here it is for those who desire a copy. I hope it is half as good as some of you think.

My Brethren, Ladies and Gentlemen:

I stand here before you tonight with a humble heart and a prayer of thanks to my Heavenly Father for permitting me to live to see this day and on this night be elevated to the position of Worshipful Master in a Lodge that has had as its leaders the greatest of men and masons. When one looks back at those great masons who laid the foundation of this Lodge, this Nation and this Memorial, we are awed at their wisdom, righteousness and their untiring efforts in doing that which was good for their families, their neighbors, their community and their country.

We as officers and members of this Lodge have a great heritage and a tremendous responsibility to maintain and perpetuate that heritage. As your chosen leader, I pledge to you my Brethren, the best I have in time and talent. I will to the best of my ability be your humble servant, ever remembering to prevail upon my Heavenly Father for the knowledge and wisdom that is so essential for those who rule and govern. It is my desire to show no partiality in dealing with all matters pertaining to the Lodge and to ever remember that justice is that standard or boundary of right, which enables us to render to every man his just due without distinction. When I make mistakes, which I assure you I will, for I am far from being perfect, I implore your forgiveness and help in making amends.

I am indebted to so many for the honor that has been bestowed upon me by my Masonic Brethren tonight. I am grateful to Worshipful Dennis C. McCraney; Worshipful John R. Ranck, Sr.; Worshipful James B. Stone; Worshipful Donald M. Robey; and Worshipful Robert C. Swiger, for their guidance, instructions and assistance in the many things that one is required to do and master as he progresses through the lines to the East.

There are many other people who have been a source of information, help and assistance as I moved along the way to the East that I would like to bring to your attention, but time, nor space alloted me on this program will not permit me to do this. However, I will mention only three of the many, but not necessarily in the order of importance in my life.

I am most grateful to Worshipful Hugh Smith for picking me up from nowhere and putting me in as Junior Steward in 1972. It was from this beginning I made the line and finally apppear here before you. Although I had been a Master Mason for some 26 years I attended Lodge infrequently and hardly knew one officer from another. It was like being initiated again. However, Worshipful Hugh was a wonderful person for me to have as my sponsor. Brother Hugh, I shall always be grateful to you for your confidence in me and for the opportunities you opened up to me as a member of this great Lodge. May God richly bless you for all the good things you have done for others.

I have another Masonic Brother, Friend and Neighbor, to thank for his very complementary recommendations, his help along the way, the encouragement he gave me, not only in this Lodge, but also in Knight Templar and other related bodies. We are saddened because of his absence among us. However, we have the assurance of the Supreme Architect of the Universe that Right Worshipful Charles A. Cornnell, being the good and faithful servant that he is occupying a Special Station in that Celestial Lodge above.

I am also, most grateful to my late beloved wife, Viola, a wonderful companion, councilor and advisor, for all the help she gave me, even when she wasn't able, through my masonic career and the encouragement she never failed to give when needed. Yes, I am tremendously aware of her absence tonight, but I thank God that I have been privileged to continue that which she was so instrumental in helping me initiate, and I pray God will sustain me to successfully complete the portion of that short space in time that has been allotted to me to rule and govern.

Jason W. Snyder
Worshipful Master

ALEXANDRIA-WASHINGTON LODGE No. 22
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons
The George Washington Masonic National Memorial
Post Office Box 4330
Alexandria, Virginia 22303-0330
Memorial Phone: (703) 683-2007 - - Lodge Phone: (703) 299-6122

FEBRUARY 1979 - TRESTLEBOARD

Day Time Activity
Thu 02/01/1979 7:00 pm CALLED MEETING - Entered Apprentice Degree
Mon 02/05/1979 7:00 pm CALLED MEETING - Fellow Craft Degree
Thu 02/09/1979 7:30 pm STATED MEETING - Educational Program - Rt. Wor. Glen S. Faxon, Sr., will review proposed changes to the Methodical Digest
Sun 02/11/1979
through
Wed 02/14/1979		   GRAND LODGE at The John Marshall, Richmond, Virginia
Mon 02/19/1979 9:00 am
4:00 pm





6:00 pm



7:15 pm		 Lay Wreath at Washington's Tomb, Mount Vernon
STATED MEETING - The Re-Investiture Ceremony
for the District Deputy Grand Master, Rt. Wor.
DONALD MAYNARD ROBEY. Rt. Wor. Reynold Judson
Matthews performing the Reinvestiture Ceremony.
We will also, Officially receive the Representative
of Liberty Lodge, A.F.&A.M., Beverly, Mass.
DINNER in the Memorial Dining Room. TICKETS
mayt be picked up from the Secretary or any of the
Lodge Officers for a donation of $5.50. The deadline
for tickets is February 15.
PROGRAM in the Memorial Auditorium - Celebrating
George Washington's Birthday. The program is
free to all Masons, their families and friends.
Wed 02/21/1979 7:00 pm LODGE SCHOOL to receive the Grand Master
Thu 02/22/1979 7:30 pm STATED MEETING - Business - Birthdays - Official Visit of the Grand Master of Masons in Virginia

STATED COMMUNICATIONS: Second and Fourth Thursdays
of each month except Thanksgiving, Observance of
George Washington's Birthday and December 27th

We meet at 7:30 unless otherwise stated.
GEORGE WASHINGTON MASONIC NATIONAL MEMORIAL

CANDIDATE INSTRUCTION: Every Tuesday and Wednesday,
7:00 until 9:00 pm in Alexandria-Washington Lodge Room.
THOSE DESIRING INSTRUCTIONS IN COACHING SHOULD CONTACT
THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER. THOSE WILLING TO COACH CONTACT
THE JUNIOR DEACON.

OTHER EVENTS IN OUR DISTRICT THIS MONTH

Day Time Activity
Mon 02/26/1979 7:30 pm Glebe Lodge No. 181 - DDGM
Wed 02/28/1979 7:30 pm DISTRICT SCHOOL - Mount Vernon Lodge No. 219

Alexandria-Washington Chapter, Order of DeMolay

John A. Elmore, Master Councilor
Brother Jay A. Ranck, Chapter Dad
Meets in the North Room, 2nd and 4th Saturdays at 7:30 PM
All Master Masons are invited to Attend