As we move into the final months of this Masonic Year, we still have a number of exciting events in which to participate.
On Wednesday, September 9th, at 7:30pm, we will hold our final coordination meeting, in the Lodge Room, to discuss the visit of Constitutional Lodge #294. On October 13th, 15 Masons and their wives, for a total of 30 guests, will arrive here to begin their week long visit. I would ask that ANYONE who is remotely interested in this visit be in attendance at this meeting so you can be brought up to date on the activities which will occur during their stay.
At our stated meeting on the 10th, we will celebrate FAMILY NIGHT. I plan to have a very short business meeting followed bya WATERMELON picnic on the front lawn of the Memorial. The dress for this meeting is casual. I encourage you to bring the members of your family and I hope to have both the Job's Daughters Chapter and DeMolay Chapter also participate. Our Senior Steward will be serving some of his very special dishes.
On Sunday, the 13th, I plan to take a group from the Lodge down to the Masonic Home in Richmond, Virginia, and have a PICNIC with our Brother, Phil Persiani, and a number of his friends at the home. If you would like to participate in this event, please get in contact with me so we may discuss the trip. So far, the group includes only six people, but I would like to go with a much larger group. If you have not recently seen our Masonic Home, this would be the perfect opportunity to do so, as well as share an enjoyable day with our residents at the home.
On Saturday, the 19th, an Area Masonic Education Seminar will be held at the Springfield Lodge facility. This meeting will be a workshop session directed toward the Lodge Education Officer and the Officers of the Lodge, but all Master Masons are invited to attend and will benefit from the session. The main topic to be discussed will be the "Mentor Program." I hope that many of you will be able to attend this educational opportunity.
I would remind the officers of the Lodge that on the Stated Communication on September 24th, which is Warden's Night, we will be dressed in the prescribed attire for the winter season which is "White Tie" for the stationed officers and "Black Tie" for the remainder of the officers.
On Saturday, October 10th, we will celebrate Ladies Night at the West End Dinner Theater and see the show "The King and I." The tickets are $35.00 per person. I am required to give the final count to the theater and pay for the tickets by September 25th. If you are going to join us for this event, I must have your check before the 25th. Make your check payable to "Alexandria-Washington Lodge" and send it to me soonest.
On Tuesday, October 13th, there will be a Reenactment of the White House Cornerstone Laying Ceremony held on the Ellipse in Washington, D. C. We will participate with Federal Lodge #1 and Potomac Lodge #5 and the Grand Lodges of DC, Virginia and Maryland. This is a public event and I hope that many of you will be able to attend. There will be bleachers set up by the Park Service for 1,500 people, and there are expected to be approximately 5,000 in attendance.
On Thursday, October 15th, we will have a CALLED COMMUNICATION to receive our visitors from Constitutional Lodge #294, Beverley, England. Following the meeting, we will have a Festive Board or Masonic Banquet in the dining room in coordination with Andrew Jackson Lodge. In order to cover the cost of this event, I am requesting a donation of $10.00 from all who will attend the banquet. You will receive a ticket for your donation and the tickets are available now.
On the two Saturdays, October 17th and 24th, the 1992 Fall Scottish Rite Reunion Class will be conducted. This class will be in honor of our Past Master, Worshipful Edward John Gondella, Master in 1969. If you plan to join the Scottish Rite with this class, you must get your petition into the Secretary of the Scottish Rite by Friday, September 11, 1992.
Brethren, your 1993 dues statement will be sent out by our Secretary during the next month. Now is a good time to act if you plan to join the "Life Membership in Perpetuity" program. If you wait until after December to apply, you will be required to pay another full year's dues before the perpetual membership would take effect. To obtain life membership, you must fill out the appropriate application form which is provided by the Grand Lodge through the Lodge Secretary, pay one years dues and Grand Lodge tax in advance, which is $35.00, and pay the life membership fee of $525.00. The completed application with a check made payable to: "Grand Lodge of Virginia -LMIP," in the amount of $560.00 will be provided to the Secretary who will then forward the application and fee to the Grand Lodge of Virginia Life Membership Committee. You may address any questions about the "Life Membership in Perpetuity Plan" to me or the Secretary and we will be pleased to assist you.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Granville C. Canard, Jr.
Worshipful Master
Motion received to change the Lodge Standing Resolutions
At the Stated Communication on August 13, 1992, a motion was presented to change the following Standing Resolution of the Lodge. The motion will be acted on during the Stated Communication on September 10, 1992:
Brethren, this proposed amendment to Standing Resolution No.3 of Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 was submitted to the Archives Committee for their consideration and approval prior to being laid over for action by the membership. The proposed amendment was discussed in detail by the Archives Committee and the committee approved, by a close margin, to present this to the Lodge for their consideration.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO STANDING
RESOLUTION NO. 3 -- ARCHIVES AND RELICS
No relic, document, or other valuable or historical item belonging to or under the jurisdiction of Alexandria-Washington Lodge shall be removed from the Lodge or Museum rooms, save for the purpose of preservation or restoration under the supervision of the Custodian, Archivist, or other properly authorized officer except by vote of the Lodge upon the affirmative recommendation of at least five members of the Committee on Archives. The Silver Trowel used to lay the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol must be accompanied to and from a place of special use or safe repository by three Master Masons, one of whom must be a member of the Committee on Archives and the other two acceptable to that committee.
The making and use for commercial purposes of photographs and the preparation of historical data pertaining to the relics, documents, Washingtoniana, art objects, and other items owned by the Lodge shall be done only with the approval of the Committee on Archives.
All requests for the use of photographs and historical data on any items belonging to the Lodge shall be referred to the Committee on Archives, which shall take appropriate action on such requests. The Committee shall see that full credit and appropriate reservations are made on all publicity pertaining to the Lodge and any of its historical relics and documents. Photographs so made and used shall remain the property of the Lodge, and the Committee on Archives is authorized to have any and all photographs and historical data copyrighted or otherwise protected by law so far as may appear to be necessary to protect the interest of the Lodge.
The Washington Chair may be moved from its usual position in the Replica Room of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial for the purpose of restoration and preservation only upon recommendation by the Archives Committee and approval of the Lodge. Use of the Washington Chair is restricted to the making of photographs with the Grand Master of Masons in Virginia and the Worshipful Master of Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 on the occasion of the Grand Master's official visit and on the Stated Communication or portion thereof, nearest April 28th, held in the "Replica Lodge Room" on the anniversary of the date of the Virginia Charter. April 28, 1788.
NOTE: WORDS PROPOSED TO BE ADDED ARE SHOWN UNDERLINED IN THIS DOCUMENT TO INDICATE THAT THEY ARE AN ADDITION TO THE EXISTING WORDING OF THIS RESOLUTION.
Charge of the Month
The A. B. C. of Freemasonry
by Delmar D. Darrah
Copyright 1915
Losing Pour Confidence: There are unscrupulous men in the masonic fraternity as well as out of it. Because you are new in the society and not very well informed there are masons who may try to make you their financial prey. Perhaps even now some brother whom you met in the lodge room has approached you and asked for a loan of a small amount of money. There is no masonic obligation which requires you to loan money to your brethren. You are to relieve a brother's distress to the extent of your ability and of that you are the judge. Should you loan money to masons do not do it masonically but do so as a business proposition. By so doing you will not be masonically disappointed if the money is not repaid. Perhaps some brother who assisted in your posting has asked for some favor. May be you have felt under obligation to accommodate him because of the services rendered you. Whatever instructions you have received belongs to you and when you advanced your money for the degrees in masonry you bought and paid for such instruction as might be necessary and you are under no obligation to anyone for services rendered in posting you. Should you be disposed to loan money to masons do it in the same manner and spirit that you would make any commercial loan and then collect the debt when due the same as any business obligation. Apply this same rule in all your business dealings with members of the fraternity and you will save yourself some disappointment and loss of friendship. Should you at any time borrow money from your masonic brethren do it in a business manner giving any security that may be asked, then be scrupulous in meeting the obligation when due. In this manner only can masonic confidence be maintained. There are members of the craft who are ever ready to take advantage of their masonic affiliations to expect special favors and unlimited deferment in the payment of just debts. Masonry does not warrant nor sanction conduct of this kind. It expects every mason to properly discharge his financial obligations not only with all the world but especially with his brethren in Freemasonry.
ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR
Brethren, one of the most significant highlights of this year will be the visit of Constitutional Lodge #294 during the week of October 13th. We want to receive our visitors with the same warmness and fraternal love that we received when we made our visit to their Lodge on 1989. To do this, I need your help and participation. Please come to the meeting on September 9th or get in touch with Worshipful Brother John Ranck and let him know what help and participation you can render.
"VIGNETTE" - by RW John Price Riddell, PDDGM
"Demographics (1790)"The first settlers in the town of Alexandria were, for the most part, Europeans, many from Whitehaven and Glasgow in Scotland. There were also sizeable numbers from Pennsylvania. The architecture of the housing, being less modern and of brick construction, suggested that some of the Pennsylvanians were probably mechanics and from the Philadelphia area.
The earlier inhabitants of the town were mostly middle class; it was sort of a "blue collar" society. Except for a few professional men, the fine arts and higher education had not found a congenial soil in Alexandria. There was little inordinate wealth or extreme poverty; truly a politician's dream world. Imagine, with no poverty, there was little need to redistribute the wealth in order to fund those messy welfare programs. There was no need to assign heavier tax liabili- ties to the well to do residents, no personal property or income tax; probably not even an IRS or H&R Block. The few moderately wealthy residents must have considered Alexandria an extremely hospitable financial environment.
HISTORICAL NOTE
200 Years Ago
by. Rt. Wor. William A. Brown, Lodge Historian
September 28, 1792 - Washington directed the Secretary of War, "to keep the Army as compact as possible, for the purpose of disciplining and training the men to such kinds of maneuvers and firing, as are proper for Indian warfare."
September 29, 1792 - Washington issued a proclamation, warning against unlawful combinations and stating that the excise tax provision would be enforced.
Earl Roger Sullivan - August 17, 1992
Herman Frederick Burba - August 18, 1992
| Day | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Tue 09/01/1992 | 7:30 pm | Official visit to Springfield Lodge #217, Springfield Masonic Temple, 7001 Backlick Road, Springfield, Virginia |
| Wed 09/02/1992 | 7:00 pm | Visiting Lodge, Harmony Lodge #17, Washington, D.C. |
| Tue 09/08/1992 | 7:30 pm | Trustees Committee meeting, Lodge Room |
| Wed 09/09/1992 | 7:30 pm | Planning meeting for the Constitutional Lodge #294 visit, Lodge Room |
| Thu 09/10/1992 | 7:30 pm | STATED COMMUNICATION - Family Night. A short business meeting will be conducted followed by a watermelon feast on the lawn with the family and our Youth Groups |
| Sun 09/13/1992 | all day | Lodge Picnic on the grounds of the Masonic Home in Richmond, Virginia. See Master's message for details |
| Sat 09/19/1992 | 8:30 am | Area Masonic Education Seminar, at Springfield Lodge #217. Registration at 8:30am; Seminar/Workshop starts at 9:00am |
| Mon 09/21/1992 | 7:00 pm | CALLED COMMUNICATION - Degree Work in the EA or FC Degrees |
| Thu 09/24/1992 | 7:30 pm | STATED COMMUNICATION - Warden's Night - RW Werner H. Morlock, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Virginia is the guest speaker. Masonic Birthday recognition. Dress is "Winter Tuxedo" for the officers |
| Sat 09/26/1992 | TBD | Visiting Lodge, Monitor Lodge #197, Hampton, Virginia |
| Mon 09/28/1992 | 7:00 pm | CALLED COMMUNICATION - Degree Work in the FC and MM Degrees |
| Wed 09/30/1992 | 7:30 pm | Master's and Warden's Association meeting and District School on the second section of the Master Mason's Degree. Andrew Jackson Lodge #120 will host in the North Lodge Room, GWMNM |
+ 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.