Another "Fun Packed" month is in store for April, but first, a report on Grand Lodge, and several past events.

We had an excellent Grand Lodge session with twenty three (23) members present and five (5) Wives. Most Worshipful John Robert "Bob" Dean was installed as the Grand Master for 1992, with Right Worshipful Ian Shipley of Chesapeake, Virginia elected and installed as Grand Junior Deacon. Our own Worshipful Brother David Kruger was installed as Grand Senior Steward. Worshipful Brother Earl Million was selected by MW Brother Frank Purdue as one of the six outstanding Masters for 1991. It was pointed out that the Lodge executed an outstanding performance in a major event when it conducted the 200th Anniversary Ceremony of the laying of the cornerstone of the District of Columbia boundary at Jones Point in March of 1991. Also, that the Lodge had achieved many significant accomplishments during the year. The resolution to raise the Grand Lodge per capita tax by two dollars was approved, which will go into affect at the end of this year. Perpetual membership in the Grand Lodge was also approved and the edict passed in 1990, which caused a waiting period of six months to join a masonic appendant body after becoming a Master Mason, was overturned.

The George Washington Birthday Celebration, held on February 22, was also a resounding success. The Wreath Laying at Mount Vernon and the reception at Collingwood was well attended and included the Grand Master, MW Brother Bob Dean. The reception of the Grand Master in Lodge at 4:30pm was attended by approximately 125 Brethren and included the Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master of DC, MW Bro. Jerry Samet and RW Bro. George Adams. The Banquet was attended by 171 Brethren and Guests and was followed by a spectacular show performed by The Singing Ceders. All who attended had a wonderful time. I hope to see even more members at this event next year.

Our official visit to Washington Lodge #21, in New York City, to attend the 179th anniversary celebration of the Lodge, was most enjoyable indeed. The last official visit of this Lodge to Washington Lodge #21 was in 1980 when the Master took a degree team up and raised a member of Washington Lodge #21 to Master Mason, using the Virginia Ritual. I thank Wor. Bro. Steve Calakas for his hospitality and for an outstanding afternoon and evening of events. All the members who attended truly enjoyed the visit. I look forward to repeating the visit again next year.

Our activities in April start with a visit by the District Deputy Grand Master to Andrew Jackson Lodge #120 on April 2nd. Although I have not scheduled an official visit for our lodge, we can show our support for both the DDGM as well as for Andrew Jackson lodge by attending this meeting. I hope to see many of you there. Our first stated on April 9 will be a most important meeting. In addition to electing a nominee for District Deputy Grand Master and an alternate for 1993/94, we will vote on changing two Articles of the lodge By-laws. Please plan to attend this meeting. We also have two called meetings for degree work and need your support for these new candidates. I also need the help of several coaches who can teach the catechism. If you can work with a new Entered Apprentice, please get in contact with me and let me know. Our second stated on the 23rd is Charter Night and will be opened in the Replica lodge Room. This is always a very enjoyable meeting and I hope to have a good attendance this night. Also, don't forget the Scottish Rite Maundy Thursday Service on the 16th, which is an OPEN meeting, and the Easter Service on the 19th which is for Scottish Rite members only. The Knights Templar will also hold an Easter Service on the front steps of the GWMNM at 7:30am on the 19th, which is also an OPEN service. We will make an official visit to Henry Knox Field lodge #349 on the 21st, and last but not least, a District School will be conducted on the 29th in connection with the Master's and Warden's Association meeting to be held at Macon Ware lodge #192 in Falls Church. All Master Masons are invited to attend.

As for some important up-coming events, the lodge will host a visit from Liberty lodge on their quadrennium visit, May 22 thru May 24. On Saturday May 23, we will have a called meeting to officially welcome Liberty lodge and at which time we will raise a member of our lodge to the sublime degree of Master Mason, the first section of which will be completed in the Replica lodge Room. This will be a very special event for both the candidate and the lodges in attendance and I hope you will be able to attend.

On June 19th, the Grand Master will make his official visit to the District, which will be held at the Alexandria Scottish Rite Temple. A tiled meeting will be opened at 6:00pm, followed by a dinner at 7:00pm, and entertainment in the Auditorium at 8:00pm. Your ladies and/or guests are invited to attend the dinner and program; tickets are $10.00 per person. Request your tickets early as we are limited to 300 for both Districts 1A and 1B.

The dates for the Constitutional Lodge #294 visit from Beverly, England has now been established, which will be from October 13 thru 16. We will have a called meeting to official receive our visitors from England on October 15. More information on this visit will be forth coming.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Granville C. Canard, Jr.
Worshipful Master

Nominees for District Deputy Grand Master and Alternate for 1993/94

At the Stated Communication on April 9, 1992, in accordance with Executive Order Number 1 of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, the Lodge will elect a Nominee and an Alternate Nominee for District Deputy Grand Master, District 1A, for the term February 1993 to November 1994.

Motions Received to change the By-Laws

At the Stated Communication on March 12, 1992, two motions were presented to change the following two By-Laws Articles. The motions will be acted on during the Stated Communication on April 9, 1992:

Proposed by-law revision
ARTICLE II

Every member of this Lodge except the Treasurer, Secretary, Tiler and one Chaplain shall be charged by the Secretary with the sum of nineteen dollars and no cents ($19.00) [change to: twenty three dollars and no cents ($23.00)] annual dues, plus the Grand Lodge Per Capita Tax, and any Grand Lodge assessment.

Proposed by-law revision
ARTICLE V

The Secretary shall receive an annual compensation of one thousand eight hundred dollars ($1,800.00) [change to: two thousand four hundred dollars ($2,400.00)]. payable in monthly installments.

Changes in Officer Assignments

It is with regret that I must inform you that I have received the resignation of our Junior Steward, Brother Edward "Eric" Lamb. Brother Eric has found that between the commitments to the Lodge as a Steward and the other personal commitments he has to his job and family, he can not meet all the demands at this time. Therefore, he has asked to be relieved as a Steward for now, but does plan to continue at a later date. Accordingly, I have appointed Brother David Kitts Wallace as the Junior Steward to replace Brother Eric. I have also appointed Brothers Walter LaVerne Margeson II and Probyn Thompson, Jr. to perform as Assistant Stewards to help share the work load of the Stewards section.

OTHER IMPORTANT EVENTS

BLUE LODGE NIGHT AT ANNANDALE ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER #77: On April 15, 1992, at 8:00pm, Annandale Royal Arch Chapter #77 will hold a "Blue Lodge Night." All Master Masons, to include those who are not Royal Arch Masons, are invited to attend. The guest speaker at this meeting will by Right Worshipful Werner Herman Morlock, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, who will talk about the connection between Royal Arch Masonry and the Blue Lodge degrees.

At the ceremonies of constitution of Alexandria Lodge, February 25, 1783, six Brethren attended; surprisingly, only one of whom, Robert Adams, was named in the Warrant as a member. The other two stationed officers had been absent -probably quite unavoidable. During this first meeting, two candidates received all three degrees that day, and in addition, five Brethren present from other Lodges had all been elected to membership in the new Lodge. Thus at the close of that first meeting, the membership stood at ten brethren. By June 24 of that year, there were twenty-six (26) members on the roster.

A profile of the early members was ample evidence that Alexandria Lodge enjoyed great prominence and high standing in the community. Among its members were such men as: Robert Adam, a prosperous merchant; Dr. Elisha Cullen Dick and Dr. David Stuart, physicians; William Ramsay, one of the first Trustees of the town of Alexandria in 1749; Colonels Michael Ryan, Dennis Ramsay and Charles Sims, distinguished for their military and civic contributions; and others of similar character. Many of the Brothers were intimate friends of George Washington who walked in the funeral procession of William Ramsay.

During the first twelve months, Alexandria Lodge received 29 petitions for degrees; 11 were rejected. There were also six applications for affiliation and all were elected to membership. While the record is not entirely clear, membership in Alexandria Lodge at the conclusion of the first year was probably about 35.

"If only men could be induced to laugh more, they might hate less and find more serenity here on earth."

-Malcolm Muggeridge-

Faulty Conduct not Consistent: It is not the purpose to sermonize in these few short pages, but in pointing out to you those things which you should know as a mason it is necessary to say something about your personal habits. The masonic fraternity is a moral institution and therefore, to maintain its standing in the world, must exact from its members a course of conduct that will be consistent with those things which it teaches about its altar, for preaching without practice avails nothing. Therefore if you are given to the use of profanity you cannot continue the habit and be a representative mason for from the time you entered the door of the lodge until you are retired as a master mason the whole ceremony was directed to the honor and glory of God and to pay Him proper respect is a paramount masonic duty. If you gamble for money you are practicing something which masonry frowns upon and which, if continued, is likely to cost you your standing in the fraternity. If you are in the habit of frequenting questionable resorts you are laying yourself liable to the discipline which the fraternity imposes for infractions of the moral law. Masonry is not a prohibition society but it does insist upon temperance. It will not tolerate drunkenness, nor will it condone loafing in saloons. If you are one of those men who can take an occasional glass and maintain your self control, the indulgence in the inclination is presumably your own business. If you patronize a public bar go in the front door and come out the front door. Never be seen skulking down an alley to the back door for then everyone will know that you are ashamed of yourself and that you are doing something of which your friends do not approve. Masonry sets before each member a pattern of upright behavior. It is left to each one to fashion his conduct in accordance with his own will and inclinations, subject however, to the chastening rod of the fraternity for wilful violations of its precepts.

April 8, 1792 - George Washington, on his stop-over for a visit to Mount Vernon, attended Alexandria Lodge with Dr. Craik, the Surgeon General. This was one of the very few times we have record of his visits to Alexandria Lodge. We probably owe thanks to Dr. Craik for this particular visit.

April 10, 1792 - George Washington met with and thanked Archbishop Carroll, with whom he held most friendly relations, for his pious work among the Indians, and instructing them on the duties of Christianity. There were many uprisings between the Settlers and Indians, Washington was very much concerned.

+ LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL - conducted every Sunday at 7:00pm unless otherwise noted in the Trestleboard. This school will cover work in all degrees and in catechisms. The school is for all members of the Masonic Community and ALL are invited and encouraged to attend.

+ OFFICER PLANNING MEETINGS - conducted in conjunction with the Sunday Night Ritual School.

+ MASONIC BIRTHDAYS - recognized on second stated unless otherwise noted.

+ STATED COMMUNICATIONS - second and fourth Thursday except Thanksgiving; Observance of George Washington's Birthday and Installation on Saint John Day, December 27th.

+ OTHER MEETINGS AT GWMNM - Alexandria-Washington Chapter, Order of DeMolay meets the first and third Monday at 7:00pm in the North Lodge Room; Bethel No. 22, I.O.J.D. meets the first and third Wednesday at 7:00pm in the North Lodge Room.