FROM THE EAST
By Earl C. Million, WM
Brethren:
I want to thank all who attended the Southwest Masonic School at Ferrum College, 1-3 July, and let the other brethren
know that we had a great time. The Lodge had ten (10) members in attendance along with five (5) of the wives and
dependents. For the school next year, Brother Canard has informed the school committee that Alexandria-Washington
Lodge will try to have twenty (20) members in attendance. If you would like to learn more about the school and its agenda, see
one of the Lodge officers.
FROM THE WEST
By: G.C. "Jack" Canard, Jr., SW
First, several reminders:
-> THE SCOTTISH RITE SPRING REUNION - A reminder that the next opportunity to join the Scottish Rite will be in the Fall
Reunion Class on Saturday, October 19 and 26, 1991. Petitions are due in by Friday, September 13, 1991. The fee for
this class is $125.00 for age 30 and below, $175.00 for all above age 30.
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DO YOU ATTEND LODGE? - Brethren: Do you attend your Lodge, and if not, why not? Over the past several months I
have been working extensively with the Lodge roster and I have come to realize that there are a significant number of Masons on
the roster of our Lodge who have not attended a Lodge meeting in "quite some time." If the reason for non-attendance is due to the
fact that it has been so long since you have been to Lodge that you do not feel comfortable
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with the ritual or maybe have forgotten "the word," but, would like to start attending again, you can contact one of the officers of
the Lodge who will be pleased to assist you with some private refresher training. Also, if you would attend the ritual school
that we conduct every Sunday evening at 7:00pm, you could receive some refresher training at this time. I hope to see all of
you in Lodge, either at the ritual school or at the stated meetings, real soon.
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WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE "TELEPHONE TREE?" - Brethren: I am working on a Telephone Notification Tree for
the Lodge that can be used to notify the members of special events such as Masonic Funeral Services, special called meetings,
and other events, etc. If you would like to be included in the "notification tree," please let me know by calling my telephone
mail box (703-931-4945) and leave me a message by giving your name, your telephone number at home and if you want
to be notified at your place of work, your work phone number also.
FROM THE SOUTH
By: Claude H. Harris, Jr., JW
It is with pleasure that Jack and I announce Wardens' Night at our lodge on Thursday, September 26 at 7:30 pm.
The program for the evening will be a discussion by Right Worshipful Robert Heyat, the Deputy Grand Master of the
Grand Lodge of Iran in exile. Brother Heyat will speak on the
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turbulent period of his grand lodge when regular Masonry was driven under-ground by the government of Iran and
Freemasons forced to flee the country.
Brother Heyat has spoken before numerous grand lodges and addressed the Conference of Grand Masters of North America
last year in San Diego. He has made special arrangements and will be arriving from London for this event.
LADIES NIGHT - 1991
By: Mark Arbeen, Chairman, Ladies Night Committee
Ladies' Night will be held on October 12, 1991 at 6:00 pm in the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Assembly
Room. Dinner will be served at 6:30 pm and entertainment will begin at 8:00 pm. The cost of the event will be $12.00 per
person. Entertainment will be provided by Lenny Williams and Niki Ryan, locally renowned pianist and singer. Dinner will be
provided by the Jobs Daughters with Head Chefs, Neil and Penny McGill. Come on out and honor our Ladies.
OFFICIAL VISIT OF THE GRAND HIGH PRIEST
By: Mark Arbeen, Scribe, Mt. Vernon RAC #14
Most Excellent James Warren Smith, Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Virginia will make his official visit
to Capitular District 1 on November 23, 1991 at the Annandale Masonic Temple. All Royal Arch Masons are invited to
attend. The night will begin with a dinner at 6:00 pm, served by the Ladies of the Amaranth.
A meeting will follow at 7:30 pm. Tickets for the dinner will be $12.00 per person, see your
Chapter Secretary or one of the Chapter officers for more information. Even if you do not
get a ticket to the dinner, come out and support the District in greeting the Grand High Priest.
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THE ALEXANDRIA-WASHINGTON MASONIC QUESTION BOX
Q. What is the adopted name for the Book of Constitutions in Virginia?
A. AHIMAN REZON. It was the title for the Constitutions of the Ancient Masons of England and
composed by their Grand Secretary Laurence Dermott. Dr. Mackey proposes that these words are
derived from the Hebrew ahim, brothers, manah, to prepare, and ratzon, the will or law; and signifies
"the law of prepared brothers." This has been disputed by a number of Masonic authorities and
continues to be a mystery to scholars to this day.
Q. What was the Masonic punishment for eavesdropping?
A. In the lectures used at the revival of Masonry in 1717, the following punishment was inflicted on
a cowan. "To be placed under the eaves of the house in rainy weather, till the water runs in at his
shoulders and out at his shoes." Hence a listener is called an eavesdropper.
Q. What are the best-known definitions of Freemasonry?
A. "Freemasonry is a beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols." - Hemming
"The grand object of Masonry is to promote the happiness of the human race." - Washington
"Masonry is an art, useful and extensive, which comprehends within its circle every branch of useful
knowledge and learning, and stamps an indelible mark of pre-eminence on its genuine professors,
which neither chance, power, nor fortune can bestow." - Preston
"Freemasonry is an establishment founded on the benevolent intention of extending and conferring
mutual happiness upon the best and truest principles of moral life and social virtue." - Calcott
"Freemasonry is an institution calculated to benefit mankind." - Andrew Jackson
"Masonry is one of the most sublime and perfect institutions that ever was formed for the
advancement of happiness, and the general good of mankind creating, in all its varieties, universal
benevolence and brotherly love." - Duke of Sussex
Q. What affirmation of intention accompanies the Mason's oath?
A. The obligations of Masonry are required to be taken with and honest determination to observe
them; and hence the Mason solemnly affirms that in assuming those responsibilities he does so
without equivocation, secret evasion, or mental reservation.
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LODGE COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR 1992
By: G.C. "Jack" Canard, Jr., SW
I still need members of the lodge to serve on the following committees for 1992:
+ By-Laws & Resolutions Revision.
+ Masonic Benefit Fund.
+ Memorials & Resolutions.
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+ Publicity.
+ Sick & Distressed Visitation.
If you would like to serve on any of these committees, please contact me so we can discuss it.
I also need a Lodge Photographer, an Assistant Steward, an Assistant Tiler and an Assistant Organist.
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If you would like to be appointed to any of these positions, let me know. I would like to go to press with
the Master Plan and Administrative Instructions as soon as possible. If I am not at home when you call, please leave a
message on my voice mail box. My number is 703-931-4945.
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