We are so sorry that our festivities for February 19 and 22 had to be cancelled, because of the unusually severe ice and snow storms that man could not cope with immediately. The Great Creator still has a way to let us know He is the Supreme Ruler of the Universe and our people would do well to return to His teachings and serving Him as our forefathers who established this nation.
Our Treasurer Rt. Wor. Godfrey Runaldue is refunding all money collected for the dinner on February 19. If you purchased a ticket and have not received a refund please make this known to him, or the one from whom you obtained the ticket, so this can be taken care of immediately. The Grand Master's Official Visit has been rescheduled for July 26. The Deputy Grand Master's visit has been changed from November 8, to October 11.
We are pleased that the Re-Investure Ceremony on March 8, for Rt. Wor. Donald M. Robey, was an outstanding event, even though this was the third time it had been scheduled. Rt. Wor. Dick Mat thews did the complete ceremony from memory in a most impressive manner. Now, that we have Brother Robey properly installed as District Deputy Grand Master, let us all show him that he has our complete and wholehearted support by attending all his Official Visits.
April is another important month in the history of Alexandria-Washington Lodge. Brother George Washington became the charter Master of Alexandria Lodge No. 22, under the Virginia jurisdiction, April 28, 1788, serving as such until December 20 following, when, as the extract from the minutes of that date shows, he was unanimously elected to succeed himself for the full term, serving in all about twenty months.
The oath of office as President of the United States, was administered to Brother Washington on April 30, 1789, by Most Worshipful Robert R. Livingston, Grand Master of New York. Brother Washington was the only President of The United States to hold the office as President and Worshipful Master at the same time.
Alexandria Lodge No. 22 was selected to lay the first cornerstone designating the boundary of the District of Columbia. The ceremony was performed Friday, April 15, 1791, by Dr. Elisha Cullen Dick, who had succeeded General Washington as Worshipful Master. The stone was set on Jones' Point, near the mouth of Great Hunting Creek, on the banks of the Potomac a short distance below Alexandria. An account of the setting of this stone was written by a gentleman of Alexandria and published in the "United States Gazett" at Philadelphia, April 30, 1791. An excerpt from this article stated the following observations were made by Rev. James Mur:
"Of America it may be said, as of Judea of old, that it is a good land and large - a land of brooks, of waters, of fountains, and depths that spring out of the valleys and hills - a land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig-trees, and pomegranates - a land of oil, olives, and honey - a land wherein we eat bread without scarceness, and have lack of nothing - a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayst dig brass - a land which the Lord thy God careth for; the eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it; from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
"May Americans be grateful and virtuous, and they shall insure the indulgence of Providence; may they be unanimous and just, and they shall rise to greatness; may true patriotism actuate every heart; may it be the devout and universal wish: Peace be within thy walls, O America, and prosperity within thy palaces! Amiable it is for brethren to dwell together in unity; it is more fragrant than the perfumes on Aaron's garment; it is more refreshing than the dews on Hermon's hill.
"May this stone long commemorate the goodness of God in those uncommon events which have given America a name among nations. Under this stone may jealousy and selfishness be forever buried. From this stone may a superstructure arise, whose glory, whose magnificence, whose stability, unequalled hitherto, shall astonish the world, and invite even the savage of the wilderness to take shelter under its roof."
The company partook of some refreshments, and then returned to the place from whence they came, where a number of toasts were drank; and the following was delivered by the Master of the Lodge (Dr. Dick), and received with every token of appreciation:
"Brethren and gentlemen, may jealousy, that 'green-eyed monster,' be buried deep under the work which we have this day completed, never to rise again within the Federal District."
This sentiment no doubt pervaded the breast of every individual present.
How wonderful it would be if we as a nation could raise men today and place them in office of the caliber of those great men who ruled and governed in April 1791. They did not have the formal, or should I say informal education our leaders have today, but they did have integrity, a sense of justice and a righteous intelligence that far surpasses our leaders of this day and age.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Jason W. Snyder
Worshipful Master
| Day | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Mon 04/02/1979 | 7:00 pm | Lodge School |
| Thu 04/05/1979 | 7:00 pm | CALLED MEETING - F.C. Degree |
| Fri 04/06/1979 | 7:30 pm | Hiram Wood School |
| Sat 04/07/1979 | 9:00 am - 2:00 pm | Hiram Wood School |
| Mon 04/09/1979 | 7:00 pm | CALLED MEETING - M.M. Degree |
| Thu 04/12/1979 | 7:30 pm | STATED MEETING - Business and Degree Work |
| Wed 04/18/1979 | 7:00 pm | OPEN MEETING to present 50 year Pins to Wor. Clyde C. Lamond, Jr., A. Slater Lamond, Raymond C. Park and Robert Chamberlain |
| Mon 04/23/1979 | 6:00 pm | DINNER for our Dutch Brethren from The Netherlands. Make reservations prior to Apr. 20 by contacting the Secretary or Worshipful Master. A FREE WILL offering will be taken to pay for the dinner. |
| Mon 04/23/1979 | 7:00 pm | CALLED MEETING - M.M. Degree |
| Thu 04/26/1979 | 7:30 pm | STATED MEETING - Open in Replica - Business Birthdays - Welcome Visitors. |
| Sat 04/28/1979 | 6:46 pm | Our Officer and Ladies will be at the Valley Forge Holiday Inn, 260 Godard Blvd., King of Prussia, with the Officers, Brethren and Ladies of William L. Elkins Lodge on their Fifty-fifth Annual 'Ladies Night'. |
| Mon 04/30/1979 | 7:00 pm | CALLED MEETING - M.M. Degree |
| Day | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 04/07/1979 | 7:30 pm | GRAND MASTERS OFFICIAL VISIT to Henry Knox Field Lodge No. 349. |
| Tue 04/10/1979 | 7:30 pm | Macon Ware Lodge No. 192, DDGM, Rt. Wor. Donald M. Robey's Official Visit. |
| Mon 04/16/1979 | 7:30 pm | Kemper Lodge No. 64 - CALLED MEETING - E.A. Degree For our Dutch Brethren from The Netherlands. |
| Thu 04/19/1979 | 7:30 pm | Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 120, DDGM, Rt. Wor. Donald M. Robey's Official Visit. |
| Fri 04/20/1979 | 7:00 pm | Elmer Timberman Lodge No. 54 - F.C. Degree - For our Dutch Brethren from The Netherlands. |
| Sat 09/29/1979 | GRAND MASTER'S OFFICIAL VISIT to Masonic Districts l-A, 1-B and 54. DINNER TICKETS $7.00 per person. Our Lodge has been allotted 24 tickets. First come first to get tickets. Ladies, Neighbors and Friends are invited. |